The firm silhouette, its elongated form, walked with slow steps, its shoulders held in a low line, its limbs wide, giving the impression of carrying something heavy.
Just like its very essence, the shadow loomed over everyone, its paralyzing presence evident. Its footsteps made even Leviathan react, letting out long roars.
Killbit's insides trembled, as if a beast were trying to launch itself at the shadow. This was proof to everyone that there was indeed a deep connection between Ascaris and Bernard.
A roaring beast appeared before the shadow, which charged at the creature, its hand filled with a beam of light so intense that it disintegrated the beast in the blink of an eye. Then the source of the light became a sword.
Beasts appeared in droves in front of him; the being attracted darkness due to the amount of light he carried, his form became stained red, taking the shape of crimson wings.
Vasily was hypnotized by the shadow's way of acting; even though it was surrounded by Beasts like a lamp for insects, it didn't stop massacring, until it created a path of entrails and bones.
"Ascaris is certainly much more complicated than we imagine. The only way to prepare for combat is to analyze the shadow's actions." He looked at the blade. "The sword shines more intensely than my cleaver and Killbit's sword."
He took the map from his holster. "So this sword must be the item that Bernard is looking for, in addition to the communicator. My theory is that Ascaris is similar to Bernard and the beasts, but still very different from them." He laughed. "Could it then be a being born outside of Leviathan? Could it then be a Ghost like Bernard and the Beasts?"
"You must be correct. Even so, the sword has characteristics similar to our weapons." He noticed the shadow stop. "Is Lagrange made of the same material as my cleaver and Killbit's sword?"
He patted the pockets of his overcoat. "Please wait until I find the note; it's right here." He sighed. "Yes, Sophie's trumpet was made of the same material; I remember her using it to defeat some beasts. But why would that be so important?"
"I feel like there's something more about Ascaris that we're missing." His cleaver turned black. "If I energize the shadow sword, I'll be calmer." He advanced on the shadow. "I have a theory that Ascaris is similar to what's happening with Killbit, but different; he is not a Homunculus, but one just like me."
Candela carried an enormous weight in her chest that made her lose her breath; the shadow's presence made her fall back into her memories, into a bottomless hole.
To escape him, she would do anything. If Beatriz followed her own path to become stronger, Candela would once and for all discover her own origins.
The shadow sensed Candela's presence, turned in a lunge, and the sword was directed upwards, while Candela with a free hand struggled to touch the tips of her fingers to the sword. In response, the shadow took flight.
Candela filled her Cleaver with darkness, making it stretch; she threw it to the ground. Her blade penetrated deep into Leviathan's entrails, and she used the tip of the handle to throw herself into the air.
The shadow then advanced against Candela, its cut formed diagonally. Candela closed her eyes, and her Cleaver broke free from the darkness and was taken by a blinding brightness, making Ascaris disappear. When the light was turned off, Ascaris appeared in Candela's shadow. In a quick thought, she turned, holding the tip of the sword, paralyzing the shadow.
— I can see. Ascaris is covered in darkness; he has become one with the beasts. In front of him is someone with long scarlet hair.
— That must be Dante, Bernard's boss. I've only seen him once in my life. Actually, it was Sophie who saw him. I remember because I was jealous. Sophie said he was the most beautiful being she had ever seen.
— Ascaris doesn't have his sword. For some reason, he is standing still, seemingly in a trance with Dante in front of him. They're talking, but it's in a language I've never heard.
— That reinforces the point I'm thinking of. Killbit, touch the shadow next to Candela, and you'll understand what they are talking about.
Killbit was paralyzed by the whole situation. He felt something strange around him, but even so, he advanced, touching the shining sword; his eyes lost color.
Amidst the darkness, only the scarlet eyes illuminated the place. This light came from the young man with long red hair and skin as pale as the moon.
He kept his hand consumed by the shadows that entangled him; his scarlet eyes were fixed in a kind of hypnotic trance.
Then Dante pulled hard on Ascaris's hand, and from the being came a body that fell to the ground. It had long black hair and skin as albino as his. Dante then said:
— I am one. We are the one. We are king, servant, and cleric; we are father, son, and grandson. We are the only ones.
Vasily, seeing Candela and Killbit's trance-like state, drew Lagrange, shooting the sword, causing it to shatter into several fragments. The shadow began to walk again.
— Bernard and Dante are the same person, so I wonder what Ascaris is. His father?