Still reeling from the impact, Orion executed another rough mid-air somersault, deftly evading the ashen cloud as he landed harshly on the infertile ground.
Rolling forward on the solid terrain, Orion continued until he had escaped beyond the reach of the obscuring haze. Then, his momentum came to an abrupt halt as his gift deactivated instantaneously, accompanied by the dissipation of the blackish wisps that had materialized from his use of Vylkr energy alone.
Soon after, a colossal shadow was cast over his line of sight, and Orion instantly recognized to whom it belonged. Observing the colossal Green Horned Owl morph back into the form of the Village Chief, he braced himself for what was to come. Without wasting a single moment, the Chief thrust his fist forward, connecting with Orion's face. The impact caused him to blink into darkness and succumb to unconsciousness.
The moment I regained consciousness, the memory of the Village Chief's fierce punch to my face flooded my mind, jolting me back into reality. The pain surged through my body, and a wave of agony and frustration seized me.
Every detail of the intense encounter swiftly slammed into my head without warning. "Arrgghhh!" I yelled my only outlet for the searing pain, feeling it gradually ebb away as a firm grip tightened around my waist.
The rush of wind brushing against my ears soon grew distinct, accompanied by a piercing screech that strained my senses. Struggling to focus my eyes, I gazed upwards and to the sides, gradually discerning the Village Chief's talons firmly clasped around my waist, along with the disconcerting realization that we were descending towards the ground.
Gently setting me down on the soil infested with Vylkr vines, the Village Chief proceeded to tear through the entangled one-star Vylkr vines surrounding us, using his wings to slice through the tougher two-star Vylkr vines. And within a minute, all that remained were scattered, lifeless tendrils of Vylkr vines. Finally, I was able to sit upright and regain my composure.
As the winds whipped around me, the Village Chief's gigantic Green Horned Owl form transformed back into his human shape. He looked at me intently and posed a perplexing question, "How did you do it?" Initially bewildered, I didn't understand what he was referring to until he clarified, "How are you able to harness Vylkr energy in such a way when you haven't even reached your full potential?" It was then that I understood his question.
To be honest, I was at a loss for words as I realized that I didn't have a clear answer. The unexpected harmony I had experienced between the strange energy and the Vylkr energy had caught me off guard.
At that moment, I hadn't dwelled too much on the strange harmony, but now, with the opportunity to reflect, I allowed the Vylkr energy to surge through my body once again.
Immediately, I felt my muscles tense and twitch, yet the movement appeared less violent than I had grown accustomed to, inviting a sense of familiarity.
"If you value your life and your body, it is important that you refrain from solely using the Vylkr energy. Such a form can only be harnessed and accessed as desired when you have reached your full potential. However, in your current state, the Vylkr energy will wreak havoc throughout your body, as it remains underdeveloped and ill-prepared to handle its might," he cautioned, shaking his head, with weariness and resignation colouring his voice.
"As I've mentioned before, Orion, the constant surprises you constantly display are enough for me to understand what kind of warrior you would grow into," he added. Although his words reached me loud and clear, a wave of discomfort washed over me as my muscles and joints began to gnaw and pinch, aching sensations radiating through my upper body, making me regret my decision to rely solely on the Vylkr energy in the first place.
"Nevertheless, it appears that you have made further discoveries about the capabilities of your gift, and that is certainly a positive development," he nodded with an approving smile.
"Now, let us return to the farm for you to recover, as it would be impossible to make our way back to the village in our current condition," he stated before transforming once again into his Green Horned Owl form. With great care, he scooped me up in his powerful talons, and though I was hesitant, I positioned myself as comfortably as I could. As he ascended high into the sky, his colossal wings beating powerfully, we soared through the sky, our destination set for the farm.
After a few minutes of soaring through the sky, we descended towards the farm. Instead of landing near Mrs Shani's hut or the bustling area where Aunt Greta and the other women resided, the Village Chief guided me deeper into the farm, following a path that led towards a towering tree.
It was the same tree I had glimpsed during our previous aerial journey, its grandeur now even more recognizable. With silent wings, we traversed the farm undetected, save for the colossal shadow cast beneath us. Finally, we reached the magnificent tree, whose height seemed to rival that of the entire forest. The Village Chief gently placed me on the ground, and with a seamless transformation, he returned to his human form once again.
Looking around, I marvelled at the serene beauty of the surroundings. The area was adorned with lush green grass, while two large huts stood proudly in the distance. On the other end, a small round lake glistened, its tranquil waters reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding vegetation. Towering trees and thick foliage enveloped the entire scene, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
However, my gaze was irresistibly drawn to the main attraction -a colossal tree that stood remarkably tall, easily surpassing a hundred meters in height. As I glanced further, I noticed the farm's massive wooden fences at a distance away from the towering tree itself, making it clear to me just how imposing and substantial the protective barriers around the farm were.
Meanwhile, the towering trees that surrounded the area, reaching nearly a hundred meters in height, emphasized the seclusion and hidden nature of this remote location nestled deep within the farm.