Beasts surged forth from the mountain's base.
Dawn had long since escaped the barren land of the Iron Mountain.
It has already been a few hours since she departed.
She admired the nice change of scenery.
Lush foliage filled her view, and a verdant scent was ever-present.
Rustling leaves mixed with the stampeding of the myriad beasts.
Foxes, bears, and tigers raced around her; Dawn led from the centre of the group.
As leisurely as it seemed, Dawn maintained vigilance when transporting this group.
Using the Dao Art -- Celestial Beast's Command -- to control the beasts and maintain motion and order.
She also immersed herself in the world to observe its vast surroundings.
Dawn was carried on the back of the largest tiger, which allowed her to focus solely on these mental objectives.
The trail this massive group was crossing was mostly clear of other beast groups.
It was the most efficient route Dawn could deduce.
Still, to prepare for the unexpected, she monitored the surrounding three hundred meters of land around them.
If a beast group were to suddenly be on the move, she would have ample time to react.
Dawn travelled a few dozen kilometres before having to come to a stop.
Through immersion, she could sense a few hundred beasts up ahead, a smaller beast group.
Unfortunately, due to her late notice, their group was also noticed by these beasts.
Fortunately, the approaching beasts were only a group of monkeys.
Unable to feel the presence of a Beast King among them, Dawn decided to continue on their current path.
Allowing the tigers to lead, Dawn put up a menacing front.
Charging forward and roaring, the tigers feigned aggression and intimidated the beasts.
Scared, the monkey group ran away screeching.
Dawn immersed herself in sensing their retreat.
After they ran past her three hundred-meter radius, she reassembled the beast's unity and continued forward.
...
Stopping by a river, Dawn allowed the beast group a moment of respite.
Leaping off her tiger stead, she felt the soft, solid ground beneath her and breathed deeply.
Dawn was able to lessen her control over the beasts, allowing the to sate some of their needs.
Some drank from the lower area of the river. Dawn walked to a higher area.
Dipping her hands in the stream, Dawn splashed water over her face. It was cool and clear.
Fish were swimming in the stream, she allowed the beasts to catch their fill.
Without anything else on her mind, she merely watched the fish.
Reminiscing, an old memory resurfaced in her mind.
It was a pleasant memory, one she cherished since.
...
"Father!"
Pointing her little finger towards the river, little Dawn called out as she watched a group of fish swim upstream.
"What do you think of this, Dawn?"
Little Dawn expressed her confusion and questioned.
"Why are they swimming up the river?"
"To become a Dragon!"
"What?"
Little Dawn had a look of total disbelief.
"Becoming a Dragon by swimming up the river? Father, you must be joking!"
"No, I am telling the truth, look."
His chuckling did not make him more believable, but little Dawn looked anyway.
Her eyes widened as she watched the fish group suddenly grow tails and whiskers.
Their red scales bled into their newly grown, sheer, beige-gold features.
"Father! I know that's you doing this."
"Haha!"
He had no shame in being caught.
Instead, he merely explained.
"There is a story about a fish swimming against the tide and becoming a Dragon."
"Alone, it was ridiculed for being ignorant; it continued to swim defiantly."
"At the end, the world acknowledged it as it became a Dragon andd soared the skies!"
Looking at these altered fish, little Dawn pondered.
"Will these fish really become Dragons?"
"No. They will swim upstream and lay eggs."
"Will those eggs become Dragons?"
"No. They will become fish that will move further upstream."
"Will they become Dragons?"
"No. They will not."
Frowning, little Dawn started to ridicule this idea.
"Then how do they become Dragons?"
"By jumping over a waterfall."
"...But you never..."
Confused, little Dawn could not understand her father.
He explained.
"It is normal to live in a river, even if it means going against the stream."
"The fish naturally swims upstream to fulfil its life cycle."
"However, what fish dares to swim up the waterfall? It is simply unnatural."
Little Dawn looked upstream, she was confused.
"But... there is no waterfall...?"
"One does not see it if they live downstream. If one does not see it, they must swim up."
Picking up the little girl, he gestured into the distance.
"There will come a time when you must swim, too."
"Up the stream, and up the waterfall."
"If you do not see the waterfall, then keep swimming."
Giggling, little Dawn was amused.
"But Father, I'm not a fish!"
"I know. You are something greater."
...
Dawn had long since come to understand her father's words.
She has already seen the waterfall, but it is far too early to try and climb it.
Standing up, Dawn stretched languidly, feeling that she had rested enough.
Clutching the Dao Art medium -- Celestial Beast's Command -- it surged with pale light.
The beasts started to return to her side.
Immersing herself in the world, Dawn searched the surrounding five hundred meters.
It was further than usual, but she wanted to make sure that the surrounding area was safe.
Looking towards the northeastern direction, she feels the subtle change in pressure.
At first, she was startled. Dawn felt a presence as heavy as her own.
That is to say, something powerful was approaching her.
Yet, as Dawn continued to analyse through immersion, she quickly settled her heart.
The other party was a trade caravan, likely heading to Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement.
However, it seemed that Dawn herself was noticed, too.
...
"What business do you have with Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement?"
"Hmm. We merely wish to trade and offer aid during these dire times."
"During the tides of beasts and Spirits? You must be careful..."
Sitting within the carriage, the walls did little to withhold the muffled voices.
She was meditating when a familiar voice was heard outside, also noticing that their trade caravan had stopped.
Shuffling to the carriages open entrance, she peered outside to see her Senior Sister talking with another figure.
The tight black robes were unfamiliar, but the golden armour seemed to remind her of someone.
Although it took her a while, she suddenly locked eyes with this figure.
Realisation bloomed on her face.
"Dawn...?"