Solar Blood Masters

The courtyard of the Golden Prism Citadel was now quiet. The only sounds emanating were those coming from Qi Fenwei's echoes of arrogance as it faded into the gentle buzz of those crystals atop those magnificent pillars, and the delicate rustling sounds that came from the silver pitcher resting upon the table that Thienika had conjured with her root tendrils.

Inside the pitcher, the Sunshine Wine was almost done.

"She sure is full of herself, isn't she? Hahahaha!" Raphael couldn't contain his laughter, but his mirth subsided as a flicker of worry had him gazing towards his ancient friend.

"Don't worry Grandma. I promise… I'll get you that Void Emperor's blessing. Even with just the three of us, we can win. We'll show her! We'll show the whole damn Yama Yaguai what a BULL, a SNAKE, and a TREE can DO!"

Thienika smiled and gently patted Raphael's massive hoof, "You truly are a noble soul, Raphael, that kind heart will propel your essences for sure." She'd heard similar promises of victory before, so many times. But for him, there was a different quality to his words, she thought.

She had to admit that even though she doubted his pronouncements of grandeur, his dreams of victory were something she wouldn't deny him. Especially, after the sacrifices he'd made for her.

Lu Jade was silent. But then…

"Oh! RIGHT!"

Lu Jade's exclamation had their attention shifting as a terrifying truth dawned: "BIG BROTHER and I! We… We already have passes to the Great Divine Tribulation, but YOU GRANDMA…? You have NONE!"

A chill raced through Raphael's massive frame as he watched his elderly companion stare at the empty space before her. "Oh shit! I forgot about that." Then quickly realizing he'd uttered something truly inappropriate, he apologized, "Ahem, sorry about the language, Grandma."

It was now that the implication he'd happily dismissed during their conversation with Qi Fenwei came rushing back to his golden hide like hungry wasps. This wasn't simply about him or little Lu's ambition to gain power and those years! It was her LIFE!

Lu Jade explained, "You will need to participate in the 'Selection Trials', Grandma Thienika. Every territory hostsss their own Trialsss. And from what I've overheard, Emperor Qi Hawk'sss Trialsss will be held a few weeks before the main event. I haven't learnt of the actual date yet. I'll have to inquire about it from that princess."

This was their predicament now.

Thienika watched their anxiety as she sipped her Sunshine Wine. She remembered battling countless other beasts desperate to survive, of her own humiliating defeats, they left a bitter taste that made this wine's sweetness bland.

"Why do you have passes to the Great Divine Tribulation already? Didn't you say the 'Selection Trials' haven't begun? You're not cheating the system, are you? If your passes are actually the expired ones from 10,000 years ago, the organizers will find out and severely punish you."

Raphael quickly assured her with a confident shake of his horns. "It's okay Grandma, no need to worry, we did things legitimately. We earned them after completing a secret mission for Qi Hawk."

"Hm, it all started to make sense," Thienika concluded.

Lu Jade was now smiling brightly. His gaze shifted toward Thienika, and he asked:

"Now tell us Grandma. Why are you ssso weak? You're a Sssaint Ruler of the first layer. But I sssense your sstrength should be much greater. What truly binds you?"

The question had the old tree releasing a sigh as her eyelids drifted closed. She was remembering past times when her roots spanned the galaxies and her touch could mend even creatures shattered into dust by fate itself.

"It is a long story… filled with joys, betrayals, pain and dreams that once were reality." She then shook those thoughts away and decided to share only the truth that mattered to their predicament.

"Let's simply say that my core has been wounded. It occurred millennia ago. Now, I have to preserve my essence with care, I cannot afford recklessness, hence I am only capable of utilizing four techniques in my current state."

Raphael leaned forward. "FOUR TECHNIQUES?"

Thienika smiled, "Fear not, for these techniques are sufficient. Even those who call themselves Emperors, well. Should they dare face me unprepared, they too will understand. I am, after all, a descendant of the Draconic Star Lumber lineage. I possess strength."

Her final words weren't arrogance or pride, but rather a declaration of truth for those who'd followed her.

Raphael watched her ancient lips as words formed. "I shall bestow their wisdom upon you. So we can be better prepared as a team."

In those few heartbeats as her essence buzzed and a warm breeze permeated the Citadel with sweet aromas, he learnt:

…

Royal Guard: A defensive maneuver that involves perfectly timing a block the instant an attack makes contact. Its potency depends on the opponent's attack strength and speed. This skill then halts the aggressor in a stasis field, freezing their movements for a few seconds. A skill to buy precious time or deliver the killing blow.

Regal Counter: A more potent version of her 'Royal Guard', this skill allows for not just a nullification of an attack, but also sends that force back toward those unfortunate attackers, effectively mirroring their ill intent in a delicate, yet devastating dance.

Natural Phenomenon: This technique allows her to take damage sustained from any entity and redirect it elsewhere. Once activated, the injury or damage sustained is contained within a translucent sphere made from a compressed leaf. This 'Leaf Orb' then acts as a conduit for transferring the damage elsewhere. However, the transference of energies must adhere to a delicate balance.

If the damage is inflicted by a living being, it can only be redirected to another living being. If the damage originated from an inanimate object, the redirection must target a similar object.

The only exception to this rule is to absorb those energies into her own essence, which often results in a backlash. For only those at higher tiers could control and withstand such chaotic transference. It's a technique best employed by skilled practitioners, such as herself.

Primal Hellain: With this skill, Thienika can conjure five massive, Draconic Star Pillars around a target. These pillars will then rotate, enveloping the targeted creature or entities within their radiant embrace.

As they spin, they will absorb a small amount of 'Soul DNA' from those imprisoned. Later, with a flick of her staff, Thienika could project this 'Soul DNA' and recreate those trapped essences into a powerful mirror copy. This perfect doppelganger exists concurrently with the original. The replica's strength, appearance and skills, they will be identical, and any damage the replica sustains will be transferred to the original as 'Star Essences'. This transference, it will locate its target even if they are in those realms beyond, and upon contact with their core, the replica's damage will be imprinted! A technique only available to her ancient lineage.

…

Lu Jade and Raphael stared, stunned. They hadn't anticipated Thienika's techniques to be so versatile and…

"Amazing!" Lu Jade uttered.

Raphael felt chills racing across his hide. "OH! So that's how you stopped Qi Fenwei's sword!" He suddenly understood why her confidence hadn't faltered, for indeed her might was unquestionable, at least that's what he felt at the moment.

But then, he remember that energy draining from her. "Her condition…" If she uses her skills repeatedly then her Solar Essence will deplete and brings her closer to death

He rose to his full, imposing size.

"Grandma, don't worry! I WILL get you that PASS!"