The Greatest Fight [progression cultivation isekai]

X2.4.9: The Grand Kami's Gift

Then, out of the clouds something else appeared. Two enormous wings opened wide, revealing the shape of a lizard.

"The Iron Dragon!" shouted Indigo as the monster approached them.

Its metal jaws bit the stone giant's arm, while its wings fluttered powerful winds, slowing down their descent. The dragon pulled them against the mountain, causing the rock body to slam against its side. Its teeth crushed the forearm until it severed it. After a struggle, the dragon was finally able to push the enemy off, until it disappeared below the clouds.

The stone arm released the Jumpers, who attempted to regain their breaths.

"Are you alright?" asked the dragon with a deep voice. "I saw you falling from the sky. You got lucky I was in the air at that moment."

"Thank you," Roa said, panting. "Please—please we need your help."

"I will help you—as you have helped me," it said.

Elevar and Rosso helped their injured friends on top of the dragon's back, using the Heal Gift as the flying lizard flew up, toward the Peak of Peaks.

"That was too close," said Indigo, holding on to Roa's hand and smiling at him.

Several hours passed, along with various layers of clouds and peaks until the top of the mountain came in view again. The dragon landed upon the Peak of Peaks, and the God of the Mountain spoke with anger in his tone.

"How dare you bring these Humans here upon my top, Iron Dragon?" he said, the earth rumbling beneath their feet.

The top of the mountain was not what they expected. Instead of a jagged peak, instead, they found themselves at the top the mouth of a volcano. Below them was a lake of lava, and floating within its middle, above it, was a gorgeous temple.

"Grand Kami of the Mountains, hear my plight, for I am your son, Daroth, the leader of the Iron Dragons of the Caves of Murmurath. These travelers are not like many of the others of their specie. They have helped my kind. They stopped the villagers from stealing the ore on which we survive on. They saved my people—please, show them mercy."

"Is this true?" asked Ya-Mah.

"Yes, they seek the top not to outdo your divinity, but because they must leave this world through a portal near your sacred temple," the dragon explained.

The Mountain God did not speak for some time.

"Come. You may enter the Temple of the Peak," it said, causing the four of them to smile. "On one condition—you must give an offering first."

A small shrine grew out of the ground next to them.

"I'll pass," said Rosso, prompting Indigo to slap the back of his neck.

"Are you insane? You're going to give an offering, whether you like it or not," she said with lightning bolts in her eyes, prompting him to nod.

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"I cannot," said Elevar, proudly. "I have suffered at the hands of this god for too long to simply—bow before him. I rather stay behind, and remain on this world for the rest of my days."

Roa approached him and placed his hand on the monk's shoulders. He smiled.

"Elevar—I need you—the revolution needs you. What has happened is done and over with. Life goes on. I know that you are a proud, spiritual man who has dedicated his life to the betterment of Humanity and morality. However, you have forgotten one important lesson along your journey, one you cannot go on without."

"What lesson, Sunflower?"

"That spirituality cannot be divorced from Humanity's connection to its source. Its source of food, life, resources, origins and future. Spirituality must be connected to Nature. The reason why the Old Order is causing the Great Death is because of its complete divorce from Nature. Its god is a Human invention, and the natural world is only to be exploited and ruled over, not something we belong to. We Free Folk too need to relearn our ways and grow. Let go of your pride, Elevar. Believing to be wise should not be the reason to do unwise things." Roa stared at him in the eyes and nodded. "The Greatest Fight needs you." The boy placed an apple in the monk's hand, and closed his fingers around them as he smiled.

Indigo gave the shrine some cookies, while Rosso placed a pen of his on the tiny altar. Roa opened his satchel of seeds and placed several next to the other offerings. Elevar hesitated for a moment as the other three stared at him. Eventually, he also placed the apple on the shrine, clapped his hands twice and placed his palms in prayer.

"Forgive this monk who has forgotten the connection to the source," he said.

The earth rumbled and the shrine disappeared underground.

"Go to the temple now. Ya-Mah will receive you," said the dragon, as it flew away.

Inside, the air was extremely hot. Afterall, the temple was floating above a lake of magma. At the end of the hall were several majestic stairs, and at their very top sat a large stone bathtub. Red, glowing magma was oozing down its sides. Within the tub rested a figure. The four Jumpers approached it, cautiously.

"Great—Grand Kami of the Mountains, we wish to pass through your sacred abode," said Roa, bowing.

Ya-Mah looked at them. He was a large man, bathing in the lava. His hair was red like fire, as was his pointy beard. His features were sharp, and looked like he was middle aged. His arms were covered in muscle and his stature was imposing and strong.

"The father of the dragons spoke well of you. That is enough for me to let you pass," the Kami said.

"Thank you, Grand Kami," Roa said, before continuing, taking the others by surprise. "I have another request for you."

The Kami looked up, annoyed. "What is it that you want?"

"Nature is dying. Humanity is in bondage, unable to see reality for what it is, lost in the fantasies of a dying system. We are passing through your sacred home on our journey because we must defeat this system, before all life collapses beneath our feet," the Sunflower pleaded.

"Ask me what your heart wants to ask me," Ya-Mah continued.

"The enemy is monumentally stronger than we are. If we lose to the enemy, I fear that all hope will be lost. The people will suffer, the animals will die, and Nature's Sacred Balance will collapse. Grant us any power you may have, so that we may have a greater chance at defeating the Great Death!" The Sunflower stood before the Kami in silence.

After a long pause the Kami lifted his arm in the air and manifested a ball of white light which he then gave to the Sunflower. The ball disappeared within his body, and he felt himself revitalized, rushing with energy and hope.

"What was it?" he asked.

"I have given you a skill. Call it Ya-Mah's Rumble. It is a great power that can cause immense destruction. Use it wisely, for you will only be able to use it once," the Kami explained.

Roa bowed and thanked the God of the Mountains.

Rosso manifested the Compass and the four of them eventually reached the Exit.

"Alright—we got less than a month to get to the Celestial Dojo of Parallel Valley. Do you think we will make it in time?" asked Rosso.

"Yes, if I remember correctly, it should be a straight shot to that world after a few jumps. But, let's not delay, in case any unforeseen circumstances block our path," said Elevar.

"Let's go win this tournament," said Roa, raising his fist in the air, prompting the others to do the same.

He smiled, feeling proud of having made it to the top.

"If we can scale Vertica, maybe we can get to the top of the Palace too, one day," he thought, when suddenly his head began to spin and his knees buckled.

He collapsed to the ground, and everything went dark.