669 Sacred Fruits (1/2)

Both Raztol and Wingreig shook their heads. The hydra head stated, 'Even when all elders, including myself, combined our strength to assault the icy barrier we failed to make a scratch.'

'That's… incredible…' Lunara sighed, imagining the amount of force the hydras could've created.

Noticing the wonder in Lunara's eyes, Kylon asked, 'What do you mean by combined strength?'

'I guess a demonstration wouldn't hurt…' chuckled Raztol, glancing at Wingreig. 'Would you mind?'

'Of course not.'

Frosty energy instantly gathered around the two veteran hydras and they dashed into each other. They stunned most everyone as they merged into a larger, two-headed hydra body. Lunara was also taken aback by their frost body's size, assuming it was much larger than expected due to Raztol being a factor and not just Wingreig.

The frost body then dove into the lake and rushed the ice over the door. With all their might, they turned themself into a herculean javelin of ice intent on destroying the world.

As the attack was repelled without causing a single scratch on the barrier, all present were in awe of the attack itself. All deities present understood one thing. That combined attack would be able to match that of a low-level deity despite the lack of divine energy. However, the energy the hydra veterans emitted was the purest and condensed energy they had ever felt from a mortal, only a step away from being divine.

Both hydras then jumped out of the water and separated with a hearty laugh.

'It's been a while…'

'Wingreig, you've still got it.'

'And you… You're stronger than ever you old coot.'

'Excuse me, but can I ask one last thing?' Jack interrupted the banter of the old men. 'Do you understand the energies that fill this place?'

Raztol sighed and shook his head. 'Not fully. We understand that water energy is the densest here compared to anywhere within the deep sea but we know that there are other energies present despite being unable to identify them clearly.'

'Ok… I should also warn you that gods visiting this place will likely become a common occurrence, especially given the effect of those fruits.'

'We know…' answered Wingreig. 'But since you've already come and learned of their existence, we hope that you're willing to share with us as we care for the trees and this sacred ground. Given your temperament, if we didn't simply allow your entry, wouldn't you just seize this place by force?'

'Better to share and maintain a piece of the treasure than to lose it all… a fair mindset to have,' admitted Jack. 'In that case, I think I'll take my first share of the fruits before heading back to the palace.'

The others followed Jack's example and partook of the fruit, finding themselves experiencing the same thing.

Eventually, Jack's body began to slowly chew through instinct and finish the bite. It gave Jack better control of his body but he could also feel an immediate effect taking place inside his body. 'I'm… more receptive to energy as well?'