Kaelen's heart pounded in his chest as he approached his apartment, his anticipation mingling with the swirling tempest of emotions within him. With a swift turn of the key, he stepped into the familiar space, his sanctuary from the world outside.
"Marley!" Kaelen's voice was a mixture of relief and excitement as he called out for his faithful companion. The black Labrador came bounding towards him, tail wagging furiously, a display of unbridled joy that warmed Kaelen's heart.
He dropped to his knees, embracing Marley with an intensity that spoke of a deep bond between them. The dog nuzzled against him, as if sensing the tumultuous energy coursing through his owner. As Kaelen held Marley close, he felt it again—the cool tendrils of his shadow energy seeping from his hands.
The system's prompt flashed before him, a stark reminder of the choices that lay ahead.
{Do you want to Evolve Marley}
It asked, presenting him with a decision that could forever alter his loyal companion.
Kaelen hesitated instantly, his eyes locked with Marley's, as if seeking some unspoken affirmation. In the end, he shook his head firmly. "No fucking way." He thought.
He needed time to process, to understand the weight of such a choice. What if his best friends memories were gone, what if his cuddles and caring nature were to be robbed from him! He couldn't let that happen.
Turning his attention away from the system, Kaelen moved to the living area. He flicked on the TV, hoping for some clarity amidst the chaos that seemed to be engulfing his world.
The news anchor's voice was strained, a reflection of the global unease that permeated every corner of society. "Reports are pouring in from across the globe. Energy users, now known as Generators, are emerging at an increasingly alarming rate."
Kaelen's gaze remained fixed on the screen, absorbing the information as if it held the key to unraveling the mysteries of his new reality. The footage was chilling—a series of obelisks descending from the atmosphere, their origins a perplexing enigma.
As the images continued, a sense of foreboding settled over Kaelen. People approached the obelisks, drawn by a curiosity that seemed almost primal. And then, with a touch, they were gone—reduced to nothingness in an instant.
The screen shifted to a different location, another country, and a Generator with radiant photon energy emanating from their hands and eyes. They touched the obelisk though hesitating to do so, their eyes wide with fear.
"It gave me something!" they exclaimed, their voice trembling.
In a stunning display, they turned and soon tendrils of photon energy erupted from their lower back, six in total, three on each side. They swayed in the air as if sentient and awaiting their order to kill.
It was a testament to the transformative power of these strange, statue, obelisk structures. And then, as if guided by some unseen force, the obelisk rumbled to life, burrowing into the earth and disappearing from view.
The TV abruptly switched off, plunging the room into silence. It was in that stillness that Kaelen heard it—a thunderous crash that reverberated through the walls, rattling the windows.
His heart raced, and he rushed to the window, eyes wide with trepidation. There, in the park he had just left, a new obelisk had landed. It stood tall and imposing, casting an eerie shadow over the surroundings.
With a heavy heart, Kaelen turned back to Marley, his faithful friend who had witnessed this world-altering event. He knelt beside him, hands trembling as they reached out to stroke Marley's fur.
"I love you, Marley," Kaelen whispered, his voice raw with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes, a testament to the overwhelming weight of the situation. Everything was so screwed up, so unfathomably changed.
But he knew if he didn't do what he was about to do, then his best friend likely wouldn't survive in a world like this. He knew it was only a matter of time before Generators began to weild more and more power and bigger more destructive fights than the ones he had seen on the way to his apartment would break out. Some houses had already been obliterated, what would he do if one day he came home to find his in the same state, with the only tie he had to this world in it..in a worse state than the building.
Tears poured down his face at the thought and he hugged his dog tight with affection and harrowing guilt.
He took a steadying breath and activated his powers, allowing the shadows to envelop Marley. The system's prompt reappeared, its message stark against the backdrop of uncertainty.
{Do you want to Evolve Marley?}
This time, Kaelen selected 'yes'. The transformation was swift, a surge of energy that seemed to merge with Marley's form. The dog's eyes, once warm brown, now gleamed with an otherworldly intensity.
They were a vivid blue colour, showered with a potent glow. They looked Primal, but still retained the understanding of who the person before it was. Its memories had not been altered it seemed.
His fur had changed completely, now it was made from solid shadow, still resembling fur but it was clear it was not made up from hair at all. A black mist cold and unhesitatingly was slowly coiling around the space it inhabited and Marley had trippled in size.
Taking a few steps back from shock and guilt Kaelan made an attempt to encourage his puppy to jump up at him for a hug. But to his utter horror and disgust it did nothing of the sort. Instead, the shadow below it began to expand and soon its body began to sink.
Kaelan wailed in agony at what he had done, knowing his best friend was probably gone forever and was now replaced with a beast. His buddy was never meant to become something like this, something primed to kill, but it was too late, and despite how Kaelan felt he knew it was the only option he had to keep him alive.
Ding!
{Marley has evolved into Shadow Hound.}
Ding!
{Marley is currently hidden in your Shadow}
Kaelan wiped the snot and tears from his face and stared at the notification before him. Marley had- in his shadow?
Kaelan at this point kind of knew what to expect now from his powers after this, he wasn't as wise as others had been in life but he did read a lot. He was aware of the many shadow like main characters abilities, if his dog was in this form and in his shadow, he was as safe as he was going to get. All he had to do now was make sure he stayed there when he was out and about and his dog would be safer than even the most important people in the world, after all who could go into his own shadow? As far as people knew shadows were simply shadows, not pocket dimensions.
At that thought for the first time since this all began. Kaelan let out a slight laugh.
He turned to face his bed and wondered.
"I wish there was a way for me to take this place with me. Its not like Creston will last long with all thats happening anyway. I heard that some Generators can awaken nuclear energy of some sort, if that happens hear there would be nothing left."
And with that, another surprise came easily to his doorstep.
{Shadow Storage} Activated.