Mage And Wolf
Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Chapter 155

After dinner we all gathered round to see the effects of the Core Density pill on Elder Song. For research purposes of course. We decide to gather in the courtyard, as the space in the library will be insufficient for everyone interested in seeing the new pill in action, though many have opted to retreat to a safe location, given the damage that the failed creation attempt did to the alchemy courtyard.

But failures happen right? The building is reinforced for just that reason. This one simply happened to be a bigger explosion than anticipated.

When he took it, the energy surged within his body like it had been released from an eternal prison, stronger and stronger as his damaged foundation healed itself and his body slowly started to return to peak Form. Wait, how strong was he before being injured and fleeing to the Mortal Realms? He was still in the high end of the Immortal Cultivation Realms when I met him.

The black, divine feeling energy that Elder Ming mentioned isn’t just a hint, his whole body practically glows with it. His power level is remarkable. From the feeling, he’s already on Par with Elder Po, who is at the doorstep to the Divine Realms of cultivation. And his foundation is still solidifying.

Then with a resounding crash, light blue lightning with black streaks crashes into Elder Song and arcs across to my body, leaving me stunned. Everyone else was sitting further away and managed to escape the arcing lightning.

"It’s the tribulation!" Elder Po shouts.

"Everyone get back, he’s undergoing Divine Tribulation for the second time." Elder Ming’s lovely new voice shouts, and I can hear footsteps retreating as the lightning hits Song and arcs across the ground, over and over again, repeatedly stunning me until I can’t move even to blink.

"Hold tight Young Miss, I hear tribulation lightning is good for the skin." Song laughs before biting his tongue as another bolt hits him. Clearly he can’t move much either, I can see him the way my head is facing and his body is locked in a meditating position, twitching constantly as the lightning hits.

"Is there any way to get to her?" I hear Karl in the background.

"No, trying to interrupt a Divine Tribulation could well destroy the entire Sect and everyone in it. All we can do is wait it out." Someone I can’t identify through the ringing in my ears replies.

[Please don’t die, Little Lycan] I hear Karl’s voice in my head and it helps me focus on staying conscious. If I’m awake I’m not dead. And I certainly don’t want to be dead.

As the lightning intensifies, one bolt at a time becoming two then three, an aura of Divine energy begins to build around Elder Song. Who, despite the obvious agony of the Tribulation appears focused and confident in his success.

The black energy in his body is slowly turning to a blue white, like it’s being refined by the lightning into a purer state. For a moment the old prankster actually looks dignified and noble, like one who has attained divinity, even if it’s the most minor portion of divinity, should look. Then the light of humor returns to his eyes as the energy begins to settle into him, becoming one with his body.

Was that the moment of enlightenment? The exact second when the truth of the gods flowed through him for the second time? Because it was amazing to watch.

The lightning is beginning to slow now, and the clouds that suddenly filled the sky turn from Black to a lighter gray and rain begins to fall. I am glad this courtyard is cobble stones, because I would rather not be mostly face down in the mud, and drowning during someone else’s Divine Tribulation doesn’t sound like a great way to go.

The lightning has ended, but the aura of energy still surrounds us, holding everyone back.

"I can hear two heartbeats, they’re both alive." Elder Po says happily, just as Elder Song’s fingers then hands begin to move again.

"But in what condition." I hear Karl say and I try to send him happy thoughts. The effort causes something to settle into place within me, and I realize it’s the Mate bond finalizing.

Karl’s thoughts become a muddled mess in my mind and his expression, on the far side of the energy field where I can see his face turns to shock.

"I can hear her thoughts?" He sounds confused, then his eyes light up with mischief, much like Elder Song’s did a few moments ago.

[Hello, Mate] I can hear the amusement in his mental voice as he sends me that message.

[Umm, hi? It was an accident, I swear]

I can feel his laughter at my response and then it dawns on me. Mate bonds are two sided. If it’s complete, not only did I accept him, he accepted me. That means I wasn’t the only one feeling conflicted lately.

Could that truly have been the biggest ordeal facing me? That’s what you’re supposed to undergo during Divine Tribulation. Sure, it wasn’t my tribulation, but it was still a Divine Tribulation. The thought clears my mind and the perpetual need to be around Karl, that was distracting me for weeks, fades into a feeling that he is, in fact, always around now.

[Minor Problem. I still can’t move] I try to send to him and he laughs, looking at Elder Ming.

"She’s fine, just stunned and paralyzed from the lightning. That will fade soon, right?" Karl tells the Elders.

"Yes, she might be like that for a few days though. Mortals aren’t built to withstand Tribulation Lightning, even indirectly. She should have gained quite a boost in her power too, the lightning remakes the body in preparation for divinity, so it’s likely had some effect on her, being trapped so close during the entire process." Sect Master Sun informs the group, who are all taking notes.

[I came here to write research notes, not become research notes] I tell Karl through the mental link all mates share. It’s much clearer than the link between clergy. Not just basic words and images, also emotions, intent and it’s easier to use.

"Tough luck being struck by lightning like that, not only will you be in notes instead of writing them, you’ll be spending days recounting the experience to help everyone else make them." Karl calls out loud, making everyone around him laugh.

[Not today though. I still can’t move a muscle. I can’t even blink] It’s a good thing my eyes are mostly lidded, or I’d be in terrible need of visine soon, and I’m not sure this world has it.

The Divine Energy has almost all been absorbed into Elder Song now, just a tiny haze around my body remains, settling into my bones with a burning feeling inside that I couldn’t itch even if I could move. Then I realize, the burning feeling is me healing from the world’s most extreme sunburn. I have just been burnt nearly to a crisp, only my Lycan healing factor keeping me from becoming burnt toast. The actual feeling of the energy soaking into me is fairly soothing.

Elder Song is mobile now, checking himself over before returning to his spot to meditate a while. He waves everyone else away from me though, saying I need time to adjust and any movement might cause permanent damage. That doesn’t sound promising, but he’s looking out for me, which makes me happy.

An hour later, the energy is all gone and I can blink. That’s it, blink. Karl comes and picks me up into a hug, before sitting me on his hip and draping my arms around his neck. So my body isn’t frozen stiff, it’s floppy limp. I just can’t move it. I can feel it though, and the tingles of being held by Karl are amazing.

"She should be fine within two or three days." Elder Song assures Karl after thoroughly examining me with some sort of artifact.

"She’s gained a bit of divinity but not in the advancement of cultivation way, more like how Celestials and Seraphim are born as Divine beings." He explains.

"It should speed up her cultivating even more, though I am not sure that’s necessary at the rates she’s going. Plus, her body will be stronger, faster and more durable with this change." Sect Master Sun adds, looking over Song’s notes.

I feel like a lab rat, everyone looking down at me where I’m draped across Karl.

[The Dragons already call us Highness, I hope these jokers don’t start making up more titles] I send Karl with a laugh.

Song is exhausted and declares that I will need to eat right now too, so my body can recover. With effort, I can now open and close my lips, and swallow, but moving my jaw, or anything else, beyond slight tongue movement is entirely beyond me. After I explain it to Karl he gets an evil grin and hands me to Elder Ming, so he can discuss something with Elder Song.

Ming bounces me on her hip like a child and chuckles. "Sorry, likely won’t get a chance to ever do that again." If I could move I’d flick her in the forehead.

The two conspiring men share a giggle, like school kids doing something naughty, and retreat into the house, coming back five minutes later declaring an evening snack is served.

Karl takes me back from Elder Ming, like a toddler being passed between parents, and sets me in his lap at the table. He’s conjured a bib with "Princess" written on it and there’s a bowl of chocolate mousse and an assortment of pureed vegetables in front of us.

[Oh heck no! I know what you’re thinking and there’s definitely a better way]

"Calm down and let me take care of you." Karl smiles, opening my mouth with one hand to feed me some sort of orange puree. Oh, it’s pumpkin pie filling, that’s not bad.

There’s really not much I can do, I can’t even wiggle or complain, so I settle for sending Karl rude thoughts about taking advantage of the situation, while he feeds me and laughs, wiping whipped cream and pie filling off my face.

You know, if we were alone, being coddled might not be half bad. I wonder when I’ll be able to move again?