Spirit Taming

Chapter 221: Isa's Step Forward

"My daughter, are you sure that this is what you want?" Isa stood before her father asking him for a single favor. It had been a long time since she had asked for something solely for herself. He had rarely had this chance to be a father that spoiled his daughter.

"This is not the same as before. I asked for you to help My friend because she deserves a real chance in the world. No, I am asking for help for me and only for me to get stronger. I can't be the weak one. If I do, I will let my friends down and disappoint every single person who ever cared for me."

The realization that the friends that Isa had made and all she had learned from her family was not her own power made Isa feel weak. Incredibly so. What would happen if she was the last one standing against a beast bent on killing everyone she cared for?

This was one thing she had learned from Clark and Maria. They had been hurt. Hurt very badly by those they cared for and those stronger than them. She wanted to ensure that she could protect those she cared for while also stomping out the evil that tried to grow around her. This was a single value that had been planted within her heart.

"I understand why you want this. I do not know all the details but just the fact that you asked for that… I have a hard time saying no. Yet, you came here explaining a new way to open our family taming space, a breakthrough in something we have been trying to recover as a family for a long time. I think you are too young as of yet."

There was a drastic decline in Isa's attitude. She felt that she had been pushed away, however, her father spoke again. "But since you have done so much, accomplished so much, and shown that you are becoming closer with people who will truly change the city for good…I will allow you entry in to the family trial dungeon."

As Isa lit up, she realized that she had just willingly taken on the greatest challenge of their family. In many large families, when they came of age, they would face a dungeon that their relatives had all added to.

Regardless of what type of beast that they had or what their goals were, as long as they were true to the family they would allow their taming space or beasts to reside there. This became a unique dungeon where their collective wills would shape a trial for the youngest of their family. A trial that they must overcome in their lives at least once.

For some, it seemed impossible because the trial was different for every one of the young members that partake in it. For others, it was something that held them back for a lifetime. Everyone was different. "I will face it with everything I have. If I fail once, I will try again and again until I can stand beside them."

The amount that His daughter had grown in such a short time was a shock to Mr. Rolly. His sons had taken their time to become powerful in their own fields. One was tough and able to explore the wilderness, the other was a genius in business that knew gems better than anyone he knew. But his daughter was wise. She saw the connections between others and could build connections even during heated battles.

It was a mystery he could not solve but one he felt extreme pride in.

"Then we will go. You will meet your great great great grandfather. You might even meet your great great great grandmother if you fit the trial she left behind. I faced my great uncle. His trial was very unique. It made me realize my misplaced trust.

But that's all I can say." Isa's father brought her in to their family home. The family home that the dungeon core had been anchored in after they decided to settle down and build a mansion many years ago.

Only the living head of the family could possibly move the dungeon. It was often when the family needed to move due to great danger. If the family dungeon was taken by others it could be destroyed or their oldest secrets stolen.

The dungeon core had been placed in the basement surrounded by many relics of the family. Many accounts of the family history that had shaped the very fabric of who a member of the Rolly family was.

"This door will take you to the trial that the family will require you to pass. Your beasts and who you are will be put plainly on display for the spirits of our family's greatest achievements. I love you, good luck." Watching his daughter walk through the ornately carved door depicting the elemental energies of their family's unique taming space brought tears to Mr. Rolly.

He had thought this day to be much farther away.

"You have come." The myriad of synced voices stunned Isa for a moment. "We have waited for the one that would find the true path to come for the trial."

"Are you-"

"Yes child, we are the conglomerate of the familial past. We shall allow you to learn from our failings and success. You will face The first daughter. The very first that has walked the path of the elemental magician. A tamer that first discovered the ability to fuse her body with elemental beasts." the voices in the dark made Isa shudder. They were serious but held a strong will.

"I thought that my great gr-"

"Yes child, he discovered the records and his daughter was the first to succeed. Her trial is the only one fitting for you. The others are not the first to touch upon a new path. Prepare to face the matriarch of the family." Isa was shocked. She knew that the dungeon was not the same as any other. Familial dungeons were extremely unique.

But to call the oldest spirit that had created this dungeon and share the true family history with her was too much. It was incredible.

The darkness gave way to a simple marble hall. The area had no windows or doors but was calm and welcoming. Standing at the end was a young woman. She had multiple magical circles tattooed on her arms and neck which Isa believed to be all over her body. The general feeling changed when the woman looked at her.

"I remained here as an image of my past self. But I feel a true challenge has finally arrived. Face me my descendant and prove to me that you deserve to gain the final legacy of our family." The woman raised her head and focused her gaze. The striking features were similar to Isa's but she had a more determined aura around her. One that demanded the attention of the elemental energies in the room.

"Thank you for this trial. I will show you everything my partners and I have. And if you need more…you will feel it." Isa was willing to give everything in this family trial. She had consolidated her determination long ago.

The ice maiden and flame sprite melded with Isa bringing the same witchy look she had before. However, this time the crystal golem began to meld with Isa as well. It was the first time it had been able to perfectly meld with her. Originally the thought that it would become an armor was clear however, this was not the case.

The crystal golem became a sparkling robe of crystal chain mail that covered and protected Isa. the unique earth energy forcing away other energies that might interfere with her while allowing the ice maiden and the flame sprite a better ability to absorb and process water and fire energies. This effect was better than Isa had imagined.

It had only come to be so after the taming space had radically strengthened her bonds with her bests. A triple fusion of beasts.

The form that she was taking was the strongest she could will herself to take with her beasts' strengths. She shared her energy and allowed them full use of it to manifest what they could. The unique skill to fuse with beasts was what her family had and what she would push herself to improve in every single step of her life. This was just one of those steps.

Isa's ancestor raised an arm and a few magical circles glowed bringing forth flames that wrapped her in a cloak. The coldness of ice caused her ancestor to be wrapped in boots of solid blue ice. The earth rose covering the rest of her body in sharp stone armor while wings of wind took shape. "This child, is the form I mastered. The elemental angel. Face me."

"I will do more than that, I will show you what I can do. I will be the best elemental witch there is. My beasts and I aren't at all different. We are one and the same!" Isa's true feelings were on full display even though she was clearly weaker than the matriarch of her family. Yet this didn't stop the battle that was blossoming.