Born in Blood

Liam tried to suppress a look of shock from appearing on his face, yet he failed to do so.

Kirk lowered his tone as he explained. "This 'abyss' is a home for hundreds of Rank 4 darkness magical beasts,"

"I don't know how or why they all gather here, or why they don't fight against one another… it's way too strange. They even breed abnormally in order to increase their numbers, then viciously eat each other to grow stronger."

"Whatever it is, my theory… is that it has something to do with that 'Ora' mine in the center."

Liam raised a brow. "What's an 'Ora' mine?"

"It's where 'Ora' Stones start to form, the purest and most basic form of it. There are multiple ways for 'Ora' to form, starting with the gaseous form, then liquid, then solid – the best state it could come in."

"'Ora' mines are invaluable locations, and owning a mine half the size of that pit, you would automatically be able to fund a large-sized family. Even an 'Ora' Well could have the same results – the liquid version of an 'Ora' mine."

"They have incredibly pure and dense world essence in them, and can produce up to 500 thousand or up to 1 million 'Ora' stones if mined." Kirk clarified. "For all I know, it might rival the 'Ora' mines the Royals of Echoria might have!"

Liam was a bit taken aback, his face growing pensive.

There was no way a noble family, even large-sized, would be allowed to seize that big a mine for themselves. Not just because of the zeniths surrounding it, but the politics and rules that it came with.

Either way, he wasn't interested in those things. What worried him was how the beasts didn't get close to the pit.

Liam shook his head. "What else can you tell me?"

Kirk's face grew stern. "I've been spending my time here building a network of tunnels and passageways towards that 'Ora' mine – at least, those that haven't collapsed.

"Whatever it is, it could lead us to a way out of this place… or lead to our deaths. Either way, it's the only option we currently have."

Liam frowned. "How close are you to the 'Ora' mine?"

Kirk sighed. "Not close at all. Tunneling takes too much time, and I have to be extremely careful as I do it, too."

Liam inwardly clicked his tongue. "Is there any way to continue the rest of the journey on foot after the nearest tunnel?"

Kirk was a bit taken aback, as though not expecting that answer.

"Well... yes, but that would take more than a few months to pull off. There are a few routes I've marked that have the lowest number of threats – both physical and environmental, but we'll need to time, and execute it perfectly."

Liam paused for a moment, then nodded.

"That's what we'll do then. Tunneling would take too long, and it's riskier than going on land because of the moles."

"What spells or techniques do you have? There's no point in keeping them for yourself at this point, you'll have a much better chance of survival if you share them with me."

Kirk chuckled, perhaps the first time in years.

"Cheeky, aren't you?" He teased, before taking out a few scrolls from his ring.

"I have four spells with me at the moment, and one of them is an earth specific spell. You can use this chance to see if you have the same element as me."

Liam instantly grabbed the scrolls and began to memorize their diagrams eagerly, hiding a smile from appearing on his face.

At the same time, he brought out his Fleeting Foot spell and handed it to Kirk. He wanted to maximize the chances of survival, and he had to fight back his greedy instincts to keep the spell for himself.

Nonetheless, Kirk had given him three, while he only gave one in return. It was a fair thing to do.

Kirk nodded in return, grabbing the scroll.

"You can use that free room if you'd like," Kirk pointed at a make-shift door made of solid stone. "I'll be on my own. Let me know if you need anything."

Liam nodded, entering the small space and memorizing the spells.

The three spells fit Liam's needs like a glove. They were all in the first rank, but had useful functions.

The first was called 'Thicken' – a defensive spell which briefly thickened the mental sphere walls in case of a mental attack. It used a good amount of mental energy, but in his case, it was worth it.

'If one of those Rank 4 beasts roar or screech, with this, it won't shatter my mental sphere... from a distance, at least.' Liam thought with satisfaction. He didn't dare underestimate a zenith's abilities.

On the other hand, 'Lethality Mantle' was an enhancing spell that had the ability to coat the user's blade with a membrane of sharpness using mental energy.

Its usage of mental energy wasn't that much, but it required a constant amount to work.

Without a doubt, it would bolster his battle prowess against beasts of the third Rank.

Lastly, the bodily spell 'Cartilage Brace', used 'Ora' and mental energy to briefly thicken his already strengthened bones, granting him a defensive crutch to use in times of danger.

Liam's mental sphere was his greatest strength, and even though the spells required high amounts of mental energy if used together, he was able to do so briefly.

Furthermore, Liam realized he wasn't of the Earth element, since the elemental spell didn't work when he used it.

'That's fine. I'm happy with any element at this point.'

Liam's eyes flickered with the stubborn flame of willpower, and the ruthless resolve for survival.

'I'll live. I'll survive.'