The spirits greeted as they spun around Rimuru, "We greet the Great One!"
Before he could reply, they began their magic: Projection. They quickly merged with each other to the translucent form of a man he would recognize anywhere.
"Uhh, hey bro," his big brother greeted him sheepishly.
He asked confusedly, "Veldora? What's going on?"
The mighty storm dragon scratched his head and said, "Hey, listen. Can I stay at your place for a little bit?"
"I'm travelling right now. If you're cool with that, then you're welcome to join," Rimuru offered.
Rimuru couldn't help but think something was suspicious here.
Veldora's expression lit up as he accepted, "Yeah! That's great! We'll travel just like ol--"
The spirits suddenly shifted, "Waahhh! Someone's overriding the communication!"
They reformed and once again he was greeted with a familiar sight.
"Rimuru. Sorry to be a bother, but my husband is currently in no position for a break," Ramiris the spirit queen was quick to get to the point.
He knew something smelled fishy with Veldora.
The demon sighed and asked, "What did he do this time?"
Rimuru could see the displeasure on her face as she explained, "My husband has accidentally dropped ten of the most chaotic souls in the multiverse into the reincarnation cycle."
Rimuru pinched his nose. Chaotic souls were a term used for the souls of creatures that caused great disorder in their lifetimes. They weren't necessarily evil, just that their actions caused great amounts of unneeded change to happen in his multiverse.
He then questioned, "Were they at least cleansed of their memories before he let them go?"
"That's the thing. While thankfully he didn't forget about that, the souls' intents were still stapled with them. So, they will likely cause more chaos after their reincarnation," she explained.
Rimuru nodded and inquired, "I see. So, I assume you've already sent your squads to track them down?"
Ramiris shook her head and proclaimed, "My husband made this mess, so he will finish it. It might take him quite a while to find them. Before that, he won't be able to hang with you."
She then added, "Oh. I managed to cast a spell in time for four of them. It will pull their souls to you, so they will spawn in the planet you're currently on. Do take care of that when you find them. Veldora won't be able to go there until he's finished with the other six."
Rimuru flashed a knowing smile.
Ramiris caught this and rolled her eyes, "You're making that face again. And no, I'm being serious about his punishment this time!"
Ramiris had a soft spot for Veldora. Any punishment she gave him was usually pulled back when they made up with each other. Really, now. When did that block head become so good at wooing?
"Ugh, fine," she relented, "I'll talk to him when he catches his first two or three. We'll see how it goes out then."
"You're so kind, Ramiris," praised Rimuru.
"You brothers always get on my nerves. Always getting each other in and out of trouble," she complained as she shook her head.
Rimuru chuckled and asked, "Need I remind you that you were like that too when you were young?"
"Please, don't even go there. I'm going to go now," she pleaded as she turned away. The spirits finally dispersed.
The three watched as the hologram disappear before walking over to him. Urdan bowed, and the rest followed.
He started as he rose again, "We thank you for coming to our aid and saving our lives. My name is Urdan. These two beside me are Poedan and Ledwen. We do not have much on us, but we would li--"
"No, I'm not interested with your rewards," waved the woman off.
The elf was surprised. From all his interactions with humans before, they seemed to always ask for more.
He then nodded, and asked, "If it's alright with you, then we would like to go on our way now. If I may, may I ask for your names?"
While picking up the boy, the woman answered, "My name is Rimuru. This one is my student, Jack."
She then continued with a question, "Do you know where the nearest settlement is?"
Urdan blinked in surprise before answering, "Why, yes. It's right over..."
The blond elf man explained to Rimuru where it was before they went on their separate ways.
"Well, then," he looked down the boy he was carrying, "let's get us a place to stay."
...
As the sun set, four bright lights could be seen trailing down the night sky.
The people who saw it pointed at it, curious of what it entailed. They split off to opposite directions, disappearing beyond their vision.
After the light show everyone seemed to go back about their night.
...
Jack woke up to the sound of humming. No, it wasn't the type of humming a person would make. He was still hearing the sound his teacher's attack made in his head. He didn't know which he should be amazed about; the art itself or the fact he was able to listen to all of it.
He knew if he were to try to emulate it right now, he would undoubtedly die. The technique was just that dangerous. He shook his head and opened his eyes.
He saw that he was in an unfamiliar wooden room, on a blanket covered straw bed. He saw the candle on the night stand and a table with a chair on the side of the room. He looked towards the window to see it was dark outside.
He heard the sound of the door open and tensed. But as he saw who opened it he relaxed.
"Teacher," Jack greeted.
She greeted back and asked, "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Tired," was his only explanation.
She nodded and walked in. The boy noticed in her hands two bowls of stew. She offered one to him and he took it. She pulled the chair and moved it towards his bed.
He then realized something and asked, "what happened to the elves?"
"They went back to where they came from. Though, they did tell me to thank you for your help and introduce themselves to you," explained his teacher.
He nodded as he listened to their names. They then ate in a comfortable silence.
"We'll stay here for a few days. A week if we have to. We'll leave once you get better," she said as she pat his head.
"Thank you, teacher," he replied, "for everything."
His teacher smiled and said, "It's a teacher's job to take care of their students. No matter if they're sick or if they're in danger."
Jack felt his smile widening. He put aside his bowl, turned to his teacher, but then stopped. He wasn't sure if he should do this. His teacher seemed to have realized what he wanted to do and smiled kindly before setting down her own bowl.
She then wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug, her chin on the top of his head. Jack closed his eyes and hugged back.
Was this what it felt like? When he was younger, he used to see the kids he played with run into their parents' arms and hug each other tightly. He always wanted to know what it felt like. And now that he did, he could understand very well where they were coming from.
His teacher rubbed his back with her hand and said, "You did very well today. I'm very proud of you."
He felt his eyes water and hid within her chest. His teacher chuckled, but said nothing.
After several minutes, they separated.
She then ordered, "Go to sleep. It's getting late."
He nodded and did just that. His teacher sat by his side as he fell asleep. His lips unconsciously formed a smile.
...
(And so ends the Clawed Canyons arc.)
(Thank you for reading up until this point! Your support is very much appreciated!)
(Leave a review on how you think this arc went. Did it feel rushed? Was there something that bothered you? Was there something you liked very much? Please, tell me.)
(Until next time!)
