In the end, everyone was planning to go. Even Leo wanted to fight, though he would have to do it in a very diminished version of turtle form, as his Tortollan form really wasn’t suited to combat.
It would be adorable, but not really combat effective.
Once the beasts were all in their spaces, ready for the trip, Dana came to join them.
"Sorry for the delay, everyone, It takes some time to get prepared in the morning."
The Elders shrugged. "We wouldn’t expect any less. That’s part of why we arrived so early. With many of our own Elders, if you don’t give them three hours warning, it is challenging to get them moving."
By that standard, Dana was practically running out to meet them.
"Alright, if you’re ready, our team is waiting by the dungeon. Can you open the portal directly, or do we need to take an extra stop in the middle?"
Karl shook his head. "I know where we’re going now. I’ll take us straight there."
Opening the portal to the dungeon was surprisingly easy today, he noticed. His power level was definitely increasing, but it was not easy for him to quantify, as he still felt the same as he did any other day.
Of course, with a new beast, his power was bound to get a sudden boost. But he also had Hawk and Rae at Ascended Immortal now, and that would pull him upward.
"Your power is growing very well, Branch Leader." The Elder commented in a startled tone as the portal to the mine dungeon opened.
"Indeed, I had an unexpected opportunity after relocating the pocket dimension that had collided with the Guild Village not long ago, and it has been pulling me upward."
It had been pulling everyone else upward as well.
Skadi was a Forest Lord, a species that was innately designed to protect and cultivate a magical Forest and everything in it. Her mere presence was helping pull the others up in power, so they could reach their own potential faster.
That was part of her blessing.
And that would only grow as she spent more time in the Tiny World and began upgrading the plants that they had. Her nature magic was different from Leo’s in that it was almost entirely focused on growth and life, while Leo’s was better for evolution and longevity.
But Karl was beginning to notice that Leo’s nature magic was not pure Nature Element either. He had Gravity Magic, which was helpful in many ways, but his nature magic was more aligned to his name, and had hints of water to it.
Like an actual island, a sea of nature surrounded by water.
The more powerful that the little turtle got, the more water element power he was gaining. Much to Hawk’s dismay. They already had a water sister, they didn’t need a water brother.
But even if they were from the water element, he wouldn’t interfere with the growth of his siblings.
He would just complain loudly about it.
"That sounds... disturbing. How do you function while hearing the thoughts of another all the time? Is it like being in a crowded room, even when you’re trying to meditate?"
Dana shook her head, "It’s not difficult to block them out for privacy, but during the day, it’s better to just keep the link open so that you don’t miss things."
[Like Opal scheming to turn your intimate moments into a new book?] Tian asked in his best innocent tone.
[Opal is too busy with the flood of Elf erotica she’s working on. I will deal with her later.]
[HEY! I said that I wouldn’t put it in my books, and I won’t.
There might be a nine-tailed fox in them, but nothing of your actual intimate moments. How little do you think of me that you would think I would spy on you in your bedroom?]
[Did you already forget that you were already set up with recording crystals when we got to the bedroom?]
[It was the first time I had seen Karl in fox form! This is unfair, a misunderstanding!]
Dana laughed as she teased the little Fae. Opal really had only wanted Karl to model fashion for her so that she could get a good reference to use for the character in her new novel.
They hadn’t even had to chase her out, and she had taken all her spells with her.

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