Limits

I asked "What type of offer do you have in mind?". She responded "Good, you are willing to negotiate. This means, your mind is not set on rejecting". She then continued "What if we helped you break through your limits?". When she said that, the Avians around her seemed surprised and started talking. She raised her wing and all the Avians quieted down.

I asked "What do you mean by, helping me to break my limits?". She said "There is one more herb, which is the rarest of the ones we possess. It grows very slowly, and is usually reserved for the King. I didn't eat it yet and I'm willing to offer it, for your services". 'This is truly tempting. If I could break through my limits, my strength would advance to a completely new level. But, what they are asking me to do, is not an easy feat. I don't know if dying couple of times, will be enough for me to complete it' I thought.

The deal was really sweet, but the dangers of actually exterminating those creatures, were extremely difficult and dangerous. I decided to inquire more about that herb "What guarantee do you have, that I will break through my limits, when I eat that herb?". She said "100 percent. This herb allows those who eat it, to instantly break through their limits. Of course, it has its limitations. The herb, only allows to break through the so called Inner Limit. Judging your strength, you should be at the doors to that limit right now. I am as well, but I'm willing to sacrifice it".

'Inner Limit? So how many limits are there?' I thought, and asked "Can you explain more about limits? I have no idea, how many there are and at which I am currently". She nodded her head and said "The first limit you break through, is called Outer Limit. You already broke through it, otherwise, you wouldn't be able to enter the North". I interjected her and asked "Does that mean, the border line that separates the North from the Great Forest, has a specific requirement?".

She nodded her head and said "Yes. Humans who didn't break through their Outer Limit, are not able to enter. On the other hand, Northern creatures that broke through the Outer Limit, can't go out". I said absentmindedly "Just who or what created that borderline?". The King of Avians said "I don't know. It's been there since ancient times". I wasn't expecting an answer, I just wondered about that out loud.

I said "I did probably break through the Outer Limit then, but what about the Inner Limit? I'm not sure, if I'm at the doors to break it. The Leader of Corpse Dogs was much stronger than me. Did it break through the Inner Limit then?". She Shook her head and said "No. He was at the door, maybe I misjudged you. But that doesn't change the fact, that using the herb, will allow you to break through the Inner Limit anyway".

I asked "What is after the Inner Limit?". She looked at me and said "It's the Primal Limit. Before you ask anything else. I have no knowledge of any other limits. I only know that creatures who broke through the Primal Limit, are like legends". She then continued "The Outer and Inner Limits, contain Half Steps as well. In other words, when you break through to the Outer Limit, you will face a wall in the middle. You will have to break through that wall, before you can reach the real limit, and try breaking through, to the Inner Limit. The same is with when one tries to reach Primal Limit".

I said "Then I must be at that Half Step, and I haven't reached the doors, to the Inner Limit yet. That was why, the Leader of Corpse Dogs, was much stronger than me". She nodded and said "That must be it. So, what is it going to be? Are you going to take my offer?". I thought about it for a while, and then replied "I have one more question to ask".

She said "Sure, go ahead". I asked "What are the side effects of ingesting that herb?". I could see her face become visibly grim. She said "You are not an idiot indeed. There is a side effect. Due to forcefully breaking the limit, you will never be able to advance any further. The King of Avians only ingests it, when they really can't break through the limits and their life comes to an end. The other use is in emergency, when there is threat, to the whole Avian species".

'I knew there was something. This powerful herb, must've had some side effects' I thought, then said "In that case, I can't take that deal". She seemed disappointed and said "Even though you would be stuck at the Inner Limit for the rest of your life, you would be much stronger. Not many creatures that I know of, would be your enemies".

I replied "I am where I am, due to hard work. If I went by shortcuts, I would probably die already. I almost did many times anyway. I can't take that herb. Although it's promising an instant increase in strength, in the long run, it isn't worth it. As you said, it's a last resort kind of thing. This is not my last resort, but yours".

She seemed kind of angry, while I continued "That doesn't mean, you don't have something, I don't want". The King of Avians seemed to brighten up and asked "What is that?". I said "The herbs that you gave me already, those do not have that kind of effects. Give me more of them and you can keep the one, which allows you to forcefully break the limit". She looked at me weirdly and asked "Are you sure? Compared to the worth of the Inner Fruit, that I proposed to you, the others are nothing".

I said "If I want to break through that wall, I will need more Blood Reeds as well as Earth Grabs. With enough of them, I should be able to break through that Half Step. With my improved strength, I should be able to do something against those tentacle creatures".

The King of Avians looked at me, and then asked "How many do you need?". I said "I don't know how many will make my blood pure enough. I think that 40 should be enough. As for the Earth Grabs, I just need 20 of them". She said "Alright. We will provide 40 Blood Reeds and 20 Earth Grabs. When you break through, you have to take care of those creatures".

I said "With your help of course". She nodded and waved at one of the Avians. She then instructed "Bring 40 Blood Reeds and 20 Earth Grabs to him". She then turned towards me and said "When you break through your Half Step, wave at the swarm to notify us. We can then form a plan". I nodded my head, and all the Avians left towards the swarm.

I waited for the Avian to bring me my Blood Reeds and Earth Grabs. After a while, a lone Avian arrived and handed them to me. He then flew back to his swarm. The deal I got, might seem stupid. Breaking through the Half Step, in exchange for exterminating a whole population of those dangerous Tentacle Creatures. 'Although the task will be really difficult, I will gain much more than simple Half Step break through of my Limits. The Tentacle Creatures, should possess more of those Water Stones. With those, I could increase the strength of my right arm by a lot. Now, I can also do some experiments, with the herbs I got' I thought.

My real purpose, was to get my hand on more Water Stones, and get my hands on more Blood Reeds and Earth Grabs. I wanted to test, if the herbs had any impurities. For this, I needed more of them. I also wanted to create a condensed version. I went back into the Valley and lifted the sleeve of my coat. I said "Frosty, come out".

Soon after, Frosty appeared in front of me. I said "Was it because of you, the power of my hand increased?". Frosty nodded its head. I asked "Why didn't you tell me before?". Frosty became angry and made noises, while pointing at me and itself. I said "Ok, so you told me, I just didn't understand. That's very useful. What happened with your Water Stone? Did you use it already?". Frosty spit out the Water Stone, which was noticeably smaller compared to before. I said "Your absorption, is a bit slow" but Frosty shook its head and pointed at me. I was confused and said "I didn't absorb it".

Frosty mimicked the tentacle creatures then pointed at my arm. I said "I get it now. So it was used up, when I tried to freeze the tentacle?". Frosty nodded its head in confirmation. I took out another Water Stone and gave it to Frosty. "Take it, and absorb it. You don't need to hold back. Just increase your own strength". Frosty was very happy with my gesture and jumped on top of my shoulder, then licked my face. I said "That's enough, go absorb it", it then changed into a tattoo. 'Time to put my plan into motion then' I thought.