Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

…

Traveling deeper into the forest area of this world, Kaiden's eyes shifted as he gazed at the trees. They were emanating copious amounts of Wood and Nature Energy. So much so Kaiden was compelled to touch.

Doing so, Kaiden walked closer to one placing his hands on the vibrant bark. His fingertips tingled as the Energy coursed against his skin. His Inner Energy vibrated as it came in contact with this area.

"Guys...I think I should train my profession here instead of slaying monsters." voiced Kaiden as he enjoyed this comfortable feeling.

"Your Profession? Now that you mention it, you're a lot stronger than everyone in the Guild. What is your Profession? Is there something special about it?"

"Well yes, I cultivate Energy in order to cultivate myse-..."

As Kaiden uttered these words, his voice came to an abrupt stop. His previous words caused him a moment of enlightenment. He finally realized what was stopping his energy from forming a core. It was him! Or more importantly, it was his resonance with his own Energy.

He needed to understand himself to understand his Energy. He needed to accept it as one. It took time, but he finally understood now. He had spent days since Kairo passed trying to figure out what was limiting his progress.

"My profession is special, it's trained through meditation and also battle. However, right now...I gain no experience. Meaning, it would be better for me to meditate."

"I see, how long will you take?" asked Snow Bunny.

"I'm not sure, but when I get back...we'll go on a hunting spree. Do you trust me?"

"I do." nodded Snow Bunny.

"Mhm, I trust you too." added Gentle Whisper

Smiling, Kaiden ċȧrėssed both their cheeks, causing a light blush to grace their cheeks. 

"However, don't worry about me. You two support each other and continue. I'll take the smallest portion." 

Sitting down cross-legged in a lotus position, Kaiden began cultivating himself in this environment. The effects of this place were startling; Nature and Wood Energy were rich in Vitality. As such, his Inner Energy became exuberant in return.

In turn, the Art of 16 Quintessential Harmonic Cycles circulated erratically. It reacted to this environment even more exaggerated. However, the real cause was Kaiden's realization. It caused the condensation to hasten. 

Lost in time, Kaiden continuously cultivated. His progress was faster than ever. Although his access to the Forgotten Anomaly Realm was blocked, by no means did it hinder his growth.

[System: Inner Energy condensation....3%]

[System: Inner Energy condensation….7%]

[System: Inner Energy condensation….15%] .

As his Inner Energy condensed, his guildmates were making improvements of their own. This environment caused them to team up better than ever before.

….

"Symbolic Soul, give Despotic a Gaia's Protection. Zealous Chant, heal less frequently. Our Healths are managed currently. Don't needlessly waste Mana." strictly commanded Hollow Stance.

Charging forth, he smashed his shield into a lion type monster. Only the fur was covered in a rock armor with brown piercing eyes.

Lv. 70 [Stone Feliht] (Special Elite)

As Hollow Stance smashed into the Feliht, he flexed his back muscles and waist as he slammed it into the ground behind him. Executing a Punishing Strike and Concussive Bash combo. He stunned the monster. 

Rushing up behind him, DespoticShadow brandished his daggers in a flurry. Chipping away at the stone skin. However, he paid close attention to land his skills on vital areas causing increased damage.

Stabbing his long lance in tandem with their strikes, FlashLight also devoured a chunk of Health. A rotation of this team's skills was equal to 3 of Kaiden's rotations. However, even then it was unsettling.

Unlike Kaiden, it took them a minute of incessant attacking to kill one of these monsters. However, they didn't execute demanding moves like Kaiden so their Stamina's were used more efficiently.

"Wow...they really don't give experience. Not going to lie... that's….kind of a bummer." grumbled MagicsSlave.

"I don't think the experience is the focal point here. We need to continuously farm Destiny Points, they are the key to this place." responded FlashLight.

"Yeah, he may be correct. Whatever lies inside the Shrines of Captured Time should more than make up for the lack of Experience here." mused SymbolicSoul.

"Or wait...hear me out. What if the Time Tunnel WAS the compensation for no Experience here?" rebutted MagicsSlave.

"Wow...you know what. That could actually be a possibility if you think about it. Giving 10 times the norm as recompense for the lack of experience later. It could work." professed HollowStance.

"Hmm, you guys are forgetting something." interjected Intact.

"Oh? What's that?" inquired HollowStance.

"The repeatable quest. First of all, it's repeatable. Meaning it holds deep meaning. Second, the rewards. We know what Mana Shards are, but what about these Energy and Sustenance Crystals? What are they?" replied Intact.

"He's right! We forgot about the quest. Let's hurry up and clear it as soon as possible to find out about it!" hollered MagicsSlave.

Dashing in formation, the team of 8 headed toward their next gathering of targets. 

….

"Hey, Kassandra."

Turning around as her blade dissected the last Treant, Snow Bunny looked at Gentle Whisper. "Hmm?" 

"Have you...um...have you met Kaiden in real life?"...fiddling with her finger, Gentle Whisper looked down as she paused for a moment before resuming, "When MagicsSlave made that joke earlier, I saw you blushing."

"Oh, girl's intuition is it? Yes, I have met our darling in real life." gently smiled Snow Bunny.

"W-what's he like?" inquired Gentle Whisper.

"Well for starters…" Snow Bunny blushed for a moment, before a sweet smile crept upon her face, "He's a lot sėxier. He's also attentive, showing all the attention you need. Mmm...an amazing listener too. Though if I have to say...he's a little big…-OOP. I didn't mean to say that.'

Gentle Whisper's eyebrows rose. That last sentence was uttered with Snow Bunny touching her stomach. All the context pointed toward one thing.

"Oh, so I guess he might be as big as in-game…" pondered Gentle Whisper tapping her lip, she began daydreaming about the shared lovely scenes.

"You guys did it here?! That's allowed?!" blurted Snow Bunny.

"Oh...yeah. It is and Kaiden did it with the other lady, the NPC Lattahya...err...no...no...we did it together." bashfully nodded Gentle Whisper.

"Wow...that's fun." briefly chuckled Snow Bunny as a hint of playfulness gleamed in her eyes.

Grabbing Gentle Whisper's hand, she dashed into the distance in search of their next foe. The layout of the forest was rather basic. Simple straight paths, blocked by the placement of the trees which also provided good cover.

….

The intricate inner workings of Kaiden's Energy Center was illuminated by his Inner Energy. The previously thick gaseous clouds of Energy were condensing at a visible rate. Although the progress indicated by the system reduced to a gradual pace. The changes on the inside were prominent. 

'Yes, I am.'

[Oh, Master follows the true ancient path of the Divines. But Master, you seem to be doing it rather slow. I know of a faster way.]

'Oh? What would that be?

[Forcefully strip the Energy from the environment. You're absorbing it. But you don't need to. Use me at the catalyst, I'll bolster your Will with my spirit.]

Summoning Genesis, Kaiden placed it across his ŀȧp as he manifested his Aura. It grew until it's limit. However, thin tendrils began emanating from Genesis seeping into his Aura. As a result, it was magnified to new heights—heights previously unobtainable.

[See Master, try invoking your Will in this manner. Don't lose control of it. Impose your Will continuously, even after you have grasped it.]

Genesis didn't change the way he absorbed the Energy, rather it simply heightened the degree in which he could gather energy. In other words, Genesis turned his flowing stream into a raging river. This was the difference Will held; the power of the Soul was the essence of everything. 

Without a strong soul, the journey for power would be a short one. It was a reflection of one's purpose; their Will. When your physical is unable, your soul is what drives you. Hence, one needed the tempering of their being most; with that strong soul, the achievements will go far. 

'I see, I understand. You simply augmented my Will to new heights. In return, the Energy became more docile. However, is this okay for you? I know your spirit is in a weakened state.'

[Don't worry Master, this much...my current state can handle it. There are no Pinnacle or Origin Energies involved. It's just attributeless Energy being handled. Thank you for worrying!] 

Mentally agreeing, Kaiden once again focused on cultivating himself. However, the after-effects of what Genesis facilitated were horrendous. In fact, it was slightly overbearing as Kaiden began gritting his teeth.