Chapter 76 Barrier Of Entry

The hike to their base was as uncomfortable as it got, the constant looming of death in the form of bloodlust kept our bodies tense, no matter how we tried to relax we would just end up back in a combat stance. Eventually despite my instincts I put my weapon back in the rope that held it, away from my hands so that I would not waste to much energy.

Even then it was draining, to be so constantly on guard, to be scanning every corner of the land around us. It took up much of our focus, leaving us drained. My mind was also exhausted, the strain not only being physical but mental too.

Though when I looked at Tama it seemed like she was able to regulate her response. The tension that was ever present in our bodies was nowhere to be seen in Tama's demeanor.

Tama even seemed relaxed like there was no bloodlust constantly hounding us.

As we grew closer to where Don was bringing us the oppression grew larger and larger. Sweat grew on my face as I resisted the bloodlust however that wasnt enough.

I grabbed Aoif's hand beside me and held on tight, the feeling of holding her comforted me.

Feeling my hand, Aoif tightened her grip just as I had, taking comfort in the warm presence that it brought just as I was.

…

*STARE*

With a brandish of my weapon I was in my normal stance, my spear pointed down ready to lash out.

Next to me Aoif was the same, her dagger in hand, purple aether flowing off her as she reinforced her body just as I did.

I could barely notice it but Tama had tensed too, the laid back appearance she had held broken by the presence that this being had brought upon us.

I recognized the stare, it was the same one that I had felt when viewing Don's perspective. Though this time I was experiencing it firsthand.

I could now feel the extent of the bloodlust with all my senses.

The gaze quickly fades away however none of us had relaxed.

*WOOSH*

The sound of hundreds of arrows being fired was heard from atop the mountains.

Looking up at the sound I saw hundreds of arrows forming a cloud over our heads.

The silver tips of their arrows glinting in the sun as if to blind us.

Tama looked over at the arrows then with an imperceptible nod and a flash of golden light the arrows had disappeared.

That didn't seem to deter them though as they just sent volley after volley towards us.

Each of them disappearing in golden motes of light.

It took no time at all to reach the base of the mountain. With Tama erasing the arrows from existence there was no need for Aoif or I to think of defense. And without those worried we were able to sprint towards the base of the mountain.

…

Once we were at the base of the mountain the archers were not able to harass us with their arrows.

*ripple*

I touched the barrier in front of me causing a ripple to spread out in a wave like pattern.

I activated my shared vision with Aoif and could see nothing, it seemed like the barrier was concealing even their souls from our sight.

Of course I could see the mountain and visually confirm how many there were but any other types of vision was disabled.

Turning my thoughts back to the barrier I try to think of a way to get in.

However the only idea that comes to mind is to rely on Tama or use brute force.

While the former option of relying on Tama was arguably the best plan, I didn't want to always rely on her.

"I'll try and break a hole in the barrier."

Nodding both Aoif and Tama take a step back.

…

Breathing in I close my eyes and focus on the aether cycling through me.

Ever since I had unlocked all of my pathways it was wild, untamed, the aether not answering my calls as well as I would have liked.

Even then with the meager amount of control I now had I could still reinforce my spear which I did.

Then again and again, the once plain looking spear having transformed into a royal looking one. Thin white wood that had a sheen that looked almost metallic encased a spearhead that looked almost as if it had been carved from a raw emerald with how jagged and green it was.

Still I could tell that it was sharper than I had ever seen. I picked up a random piece of wood from the ground and reinforced it to my best.

"Here, test it's durability please"

Handing the piece of wood to Aoif I have her test the durability.

*clang*

Her dagger had not even left a scratch in it.

Seeing how durable it was I knew it would serve my purpose.

I threw it up in the air then aimed at it with my thrice reinforced spear.

…

*BOOM*

*PIERCE*

First an explosion as the air was cut in two then the sound of the spear piercing through the ultra durable wood that I had reinforced.

Looking at the spear I felt only pride. The spear had cut through the air then the reinforced wood.

It was the first time that I had triple reinforced my spear and I could tell that I would not be able to reinforce it further.

Whether that was because of my control, reserves, or just the limits of the materials itself I could not tell.

Now that I had tested the spear I looked back to the barrier.

Brandishing my spear into my ready position I take aim at the barrier.

*BANG*

The spear passed through the barrier with minimal resistance however I could see that the hole that I had made was slowly recovering.

Quickly I brandish my spear a few more time making a hole large enough for us to pass through.