Peter was in no way thrilled being stuck in the medallion. However, this did give him a much-needed opportunity to explore all the features of the eye of souls.
After thinking about this aspect, he went into the spirit market to expand his and Dramix’s abilities. While Dramix went and worked on his stats, Peter looked around the shop. The display stand was over eight feet tall and twenty-two feet long. There were over a hundred and seventy-five items in the large display case, so spotting something of note wasn’t easy to do.
He then noticed that the hourglass was much larger than before, indicating that they’ve leveled up. It was also fuller than before as well. He then noticed something else.
“What’s with the fog in the corner?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk seemed to turn around and look at it.
“It’s a spirit manifestation. Because you have a living body, you can’t do such a thing though.” (Foggy Figure)
Peter wished he could blink in surprise.
“What do you mean? I can’t return to it.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk became puzzled.
“As you may have learned, you must care for your physical form in-between times coming to the domain of your shaman. If you can’t return, but you’re alive here….” (Foggy Figure)
The clerk then faded away as if it left. Peter was confused, but he remained calm as he continued to look at the selection. Without the clerk, he became a little frustrated when he wanted to look at one of the skills and abilities.
He was just about to leave when the clerk returned.
“ So?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk raised the skill that Peter was just looking at.
“Your issue is being looked into. As compensation, please have this. It’s the skill you noticed earlier. It allows a spirit to form their own physical being.” (Foggy Figure)
Peter wished he could blink in surprise again.
“If I recall, when I won the duel, I mentioned that I don’t wish for him to be empowered with an edge. I want him to grown stronger on his own accord and merit.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk seemed confused when he said that.
“This is for you, not him.” (Foggy Figure)
Peter sighed before responding.
“I won’t take it for free. Charge me the same amount that you would any other spirit. If you force it on me and make me take it, I will never use it under any circumstances.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk then set the skill down in a spot for reserved skills.
“However, your own actions speak volumes. It has been noted that you won’t accept additional rewards, which proves your resolve, causing your growth to be affected.” (Foggy Figure)
Peter sighed, and his form would have jumped if it could have when Dramix spoke up behind him.
“That’s an acceptable trade.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter looked at him and sighed.
“You have spoken, so I’ll agree with my shaman. Is there anything you wish for?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix crossed his arms in thought.
“Furthermore, you won’t be giving us these enhanced bonuses. I understand that my shaman wishes to grow my strength without this crutch, and my honor won’t allow them either.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk sighed.
“You’re rejecting most of what we offer but the basics. Next, you’ll probably say something like you wish to reject the fates.” (Foggy Figure)
Peter was about to speak but realized he had nothing to say. Dramix eyed him closely when did so.
“Fate has brought us together and put us on a certain path, but fate doesn’t deem the outcome. That’s destiny, and I refuse to be told my destiny is fixed.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter would have smiled if he could.
“We earn our way by our own actions and choices.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The clerk didn’t respond, then Dramix turned away.
Peter followed him to the central area where they could leave.
“When did you figure it out?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix sighed.
“I came here when you left after the duel. I learned about your path for me. Because of that, I knew that you wouldn’t the unnatural gifts other shamans would have. I’ve been feeling uncomfortable in my own skin for a few days now though. It was as if something was changing in me that I would reject. My growth was becoming unnatural. A true Drakan rejects things that they haven’t earned.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter smiled to himself in his form.
“I would buy you a drink if I could.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix grunted in amusement.
“Do you think you could keep up with me?” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter started shaking his head, but he soon stopped.
“No, but I will have you to buy the second set. Hopefully, I can keep going at your pace until then at least.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix smiled and shook his head.
“Keep asking me your questions and keep giving me advice and suggestions. I will become a shaman that will have any spirit be honored to be partnered with them.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter sighed.
“I don’t think any other spirit will have you. Your too natural. A true born of dragons.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix seemed humbled as he paused.
Peter hadn’t noticed that they had entered their lower plain, as he woke up in his medallion.
On the menu, he looked at it and found a notice involving his new form. It was for the customization of his spirit self to physically manifest. It was just like in the duel. He became slightly annoyed until he noticed the note.
“You’re still paying for it, but at least you have the skill to try it out.” (Foggy Figure’s Note)
Peter sighed, then took Dramix’s form. It surprised him how familiar a feeling it was. After doing some exercises with ease, he noticed Naleeit was awake looking at Dramix.
“We should wait for another hour before moving.” (Naleeit)
Dramix sighed and closed his eyes.
“You’re the experienced person being on the run.” (Dramix)
Naleeit crossed her arms in annoyance.
“You make it sound like knowing how to be a fugitive is a good thing.” (Naleeit)
Dramix turned over to his side, ready to go to sleep.
“Good or not, it’s useful right now.” (Dramix)
She sighed as she moved over to the pool of water and took a drink before restarting the fire.
With Dramix asleep, Peter was left with nothing to do but continue to test his new form. Somehow, he knew how to fly and the ways of combat that Dramix did.
After a while, he stopped testing this as he looked at Naleeit in deep thought. She eventually looked at Dramix again.
“Stupid male, coming all this way with us. You’re going to get yourself killed. This isn’t your fight.” (Naleeit)
Naleeit was about to leave him, but she stopped and looked back. A tear came from her eye. She then started climbing to get to a good point to jump away.
Dramix then rolled onto his back.
“It appears she doesn’t want me.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter became a little surprised.
“You saw?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix opened his eyes and picked up his medallion.
“She kicked my foot by accident and woke me up. If she doesn’t want me, who am I to argue.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter thought about that for a moment.
“My question to you isn’t if you care that she needs you. It’s, do you care enough about her to need her?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix opened his eyes before speaking.
“There are many other women to choose from if ever I desire them.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter crossed his arms.
“But will you think of about them, or will you think about her when you’re acting upon your desires?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix raised himself up from the bed.
“I don’t know if she’s worth perusing if that’s what you’re leading up to.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter sighed.
“She’s irrelevant in any case. You were fated to help Gulliver. To what point in time, I don’t know for sure. The choice is yours though Dramix. Do you risk going home, or do you pursue her?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix opened his mouth to speak.
“If I go home now, nothing will be different. I will become a tailor. I will know deep in my heart that I’m coward who refused something great. Then there’s Naleeit. She deserves a pillar of strength to lean on when she needs it.” (Dramix)
Dramix then raised himself completely as he heard a rockfall. He took Zwilander in his hand and prepared to strike at the enemy, should they appear.
However, it was just Naleeitt who came back from pretending to be scouting.
“The way out is clear.” (Naleeit)
