Will of a Prince

Chapter 191: First Signs

Jacob woke up with one thing on his mind: food. He was known to get a lot hungrier recently, but with each passing day, it worsened. There were a more than a few instances where Maria woke up in the middle of the night and found Jacob gnawing on her arm in his sleep. She wouldn’t mind, but it started to creep her out the more it happened.

What was strange is that he would only bite her in his sleep and never anyone else. She wondered if it was because of their relationship or because of their mark they both possessed.

Jacob sat up, his stomach growling and waiting for food. A delicate aroma filled his nostrils, indicating breakfast was almost ready. Slimo was stirring a massive iron pot filled with a strange meat and vegetables.

’How long has it been since we left that leviathan? Easily more than a few weeks at this point.’

Jacob walked up to Slimo and stretched his torso.

"Hey, Slimo. What’s for breakfast?"

"Steel and Lucy cut up a nice beast for us yesterday while they were out training. I’ll tell yah, you never would have thought they could make such a powerful pair. They’ll be able to tackle monsters in no time at all."

"Where’s Sarah and Squabee?"

"Both are training... well, at least Sarah is. To be honest with you, I told Squabee she doesn’t have to train if she doesn’t want to. Her power seems to have been keeping us safe this whole journey, why would I go and break that good streak?"

"Has Sarah gotten any stronger?"

"Maybe not stronger, but definitely smarter. Her understanding of her Zalo is exponentially increasing with each passing day."

Slimo poured Jacob two large helpings of soup. Jacob greedily started downing the soup, allowing some to spill over his face. Slimo sighed at the sight.

"Still getting hungrier?"

Jacob wiped his face and looked at Slimo with a hint of embarrassment.

"Unfortunately, yes. I don’t know what’s coming over me. I promise I won’t let an event like what happened before happen again."

"So that means Lidia’s treatment isn’t working... I’ll have to talk with her later today. It’s possible the corruption is spreading through your gut."

Jacob paled slightly. Slimo noticed his worry and put his hands up.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. Everything is going to be okay. We won’t let anything bad happen to anyone here. Besides, part of Lidia’s power is helping the others stave off corruption much better than normal people can."

Jacob slouched and whispered something under his breath.

"Grow into a chair."

Suddenly, a large batch of roots grew into the shape of a chair underneath him, allowing him to sit down.

"You also seem to be mastering your power much better. I’m glad to see my training is paying off."

Jacob remained silent.

"Is there something you want to talk about? I’m really sorry if I scared you about the corruption thing."

"No, it’s really okay. It’s something else."

Slimo poked the embers under the pot of soup and waked over to Jacob.

"Mind if I sit down with you and we can talk about it?"

Jacob pointed looked next to him.

"Grow into a comfortable chair."

The roots grew into a uniquely shaped chair for Slimo to sit in. Slimo took a seat proudly.

"Very generous of you to make it comfortable. I never even knew roots could be comfortable."

He leaned forward, facing Jacob.

"So, tell me. What’s on your mind?"

"Have you ever felt like something has been holding you back? Like no matter how much you train, there’s a specific plateau you just can’t seem to get over?"

Slimo leaned back in his chair hearing Jacob’s question.

"I have. Many times, as a matter of fact.

Jacob looked at Slimo in shock.

"Really?"

"Of course! Not having a Zalo limits me to what humans are capable of... which, quite frankly, is not a lot. I have had to use every extension of my potential to get anything done as I am."

"But, have you reached the top yet? I feel like humans can’t get much stronger than what you are like."

"That’s just the thing, Jacob. I found your issue."

Jacob’s eyes widened.

"You have?"

"Indeed. You are viewing strength like a goal that has an end when in reality, there is no end to strength."

Jacob was left speechless.

"No end... to strength?"

"That’s right. There isn’t an end to gaining strength, but eventually that plateau you are climbing will feel so steep that it only seems like there is an end. Do you mind if I share with you a bit of wisdom my older brother once shared with me? Or perhaps it’s more of a fun fact."

"Sure."

"Do you know the real reason why humans have always domineered over other creatures on this planet since we’ve existed?"

"Is it because of our spirit?"

"Nope."

"Is it because of our strength?"

"Not really, but that does help."

Jacob thought to himself a bit longer.

"Is it because of sense of community?"

"No, but those were all good answers."

"I give up. Why have we outlived all these creatures?"

"It’s because of our adaptability. Humans are uniquely equipped to adapt to almost any and all things that are thrown their way. Not only that, but our sense of mimicry is also astounding. Having both the ability to adapt to and mimic the dangerous environment around you is one nasty combination to have."

"Am I supposed to learn a lesson from this?"

Slimo chuckled slightly.

"What I’m trying to say is, play towards the strengths that you were born to take advantage of. Take Sarah for example. She knows she is not a fighter and lacks spirit, but she makes up for it with smarts and wits. Sometimes, it isn’t about making a specific ability stronger, it’s about learning how to keep your weaknesses from limiting you."

Jacob nodded proudly.

"Thank you. That helps a lot."

Maria walked over and rested her arms around Jacob’s neck.

"Good morning. Are you feeling alright?"

Jacob smiled and held her arms.

"Much better now."

"Hey, Slimo. Do you know where mom is? I didn’t see her with Zoey this morning like she normally is."

"She’s probably helping Harold today. I can’t believe how fast he has improved. Lidia told me he’s moving like he used to when he had an old friend helping him out. There should be a river a little way over that hill. You will see them there."

Maria nodded and began walking away.

"Wait!"

Maria turned around. Slimo offered her a large helping of stew.

"Eat before you go."

Maria smiled and grabbed the bowl with two hands.

"Thank you. It smells delicious."

As Maria left, Jacob watched her walk away in a daze. Slimo threw a small carrot at his face to snap him out of it.

"Geez. You must really like her. You’ve never stopped looking at her like that since I’ve known you."

"Can you blame me? She’s perfect."

Slimo laughed.

"How sweet, but maybe you should wait for the marriage after we save the world from a bunch of crazy cultists. Got it?"

Jacob reached in one of his bowls and threw a carrot back.

"That goes for you too, you know?"

"What?! Me and Lidia don’t count! I’m practically already your father-in-law, so listen to me!"

Jacob laughed and emptied the rest of his bowls.

Bo and Zoey were slowly walking back from a small training session. Zoey’s hair was fringed and dirty, but her armor stayed in an amazing condition. Bo was limping as walked back, holding on to his chest.

"Please. No more. I’m sorry for what I said before, just don’t let Zoey be my partner again!"

Slimo smiled manically.

"What’s that? She’s your favorite person to train with? Looks like you can keep her then!"

Bo fell on the ground from exhaustion. Zoey put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest confidently.

"I feel great! Don’t listen to that big baby!"

"Were you able to accomplish it, Zoey?"

"Not yet, but I’m extremely close! I can feel like I’m on the verge of something!"

"Keep at it. Did you end up drying the lake again?"

"It will all come down as rain anyway! Besides, we still have the river... right?"

Suddenly, a massive bang roared over the fields. From miles away, everyone could see a tall geyser of water climb the sky. Slimo sighed and rubbed his face.

"Not again..."

Within moments, the group started forming around Slimo’s small fire. Harold and Lidia’s armor was dripping wet. Harold’s armor in particular had undergone a serious change to fit his fighting style. He didn’t have armor around his joints anymore to allow for as much movement as possible when he ran or threw a strike. His light brown hair had also grown a bit longer and started to cover more of his face.

"Couldn’t you all save a little bit of water this time?!"

Harold walked over to Slimo and slapped his back.

"This time, it was my fault. My release exploded a bit more than I was expecting. Good thing Miss Lidia was there to catch me. I could’ve ended up in the kingdom by now."

Lidia squeezed some water out of her hair.

"Don’t mention it. It gave me quite the power-up anyway."

Lidia’s armor now carried a small golden hue around it at all times. It was as if she was always a shining beacon of light wherever she walked. Slimo couldn’t determine if it was from the amount of energy being built up in her body or because of her new power.

"Alright, I need everyone to get ready for another long stretch. Who is taking rear guard today?"

"Me and Lee"

"Thank you, Luna. Maria and Jacob, lead the rest of the group. Maria, make sure to give us an order to move so we can be strengthened."

Maria nodded. She first walked up to Lucy. Lucy smiled and handed something over to her.

"This might be my best work yet. Be careful not to break it too soon."

Maria smiled and steadied a deathly-sharp spear in front of her.

"Thank you, Lucy. This means a lot."

Maria steadied herself in front of the group and slammed the butt of the spear into ground, causing it to shake from the impact.

"We’re heading east! Follow my lead or be left behind!"

Everyone began following her as soon as she started moving. Their formation was elegant with hardly a single flaw in it. Eventually, they came upon an infant monster. It looked like an overgrown dragonfly with thick wings, dense body and colorful eyes. Maria held up her hand as it swooped in to attack.

With one hand, she readied her spear and took aim.

Before anyone could tell, the spear had already left Maria’s hand. It streaked through the air, screaming as it flew. It hit the creature perfectly through one of its round eyes, killing it instantly.

After it fell to the ground, Maria effortlessly yanked the spear out of the skull of the creature and studied the tip carefully.

"It’s perfect."