Dark stood in the center of the canyon, his chest rising and falling with measured breaths. The night sky was alive with stars, yet their light barely reached the ground, as if the shadows themselves consumed the brightness. Kaelith paced around him, her sharp gaze fixed on every subtle movement of his body.
Kaelith: (calmly) You've improved, I'll admit that. But there's still one thing you're lacking.
Dark: (flatly) Let me guess. Control?
Kaelith stopped pacing, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
Kaelith: (mockingly) Patience, actually. Your arrogance will get you killed faster than your lack of finesse.
Dark didn't respond, his grip tightening on Kyuketsu. The weight of her words hit harder than he cared to admit. He had been too hasty, too reckless in his battles. But the thought of Lara—and the promise he made to himself—kept his frustration burning.
Kaelith raised her hand, and the shadows around them shifted unnaturally, forming a circular arena. The canyon walls seemed to close in, the space tightening like a noose. The oppressive atmosphere was suffocating.
Kaelith: (seriously) Today, you're going to fight something... different.
Dark: (narrowing his eyes) Different how?
Kaelith's smirk deepened as she raised both hands, and the ground beneath them began to tremble. A dark fissure split the earth, and from its depths emerged a massive creature. Its body was made of jagged obsidian, its eyes glowing with an eerie, green light. The air around it shimmered with heat, and its guttural roar shook the canyon.
Kaelith: (calmly) Meet the Abyssal Warden. It's been locked away here for centuries. You're going to fight it.
Dark: (sarcastically) Of course I am.
The Warden lunged forward with terrifying speed, its massive claws tearing through the air. Dark barely had time to react, activating his shadow armor just as the claws collided with him. The impact sent him skidding backward, the ground cracking beneath his feet.
Dark: (thinking, focused) Alright, big guy. Let's see what you've got.
He dashed forward, Kyuketsu's dark aura flaring as he swung the blade at the Warden's leg. The shadows around him coiled like serpents, lashing out in tandem with his strike. The attack connected, but the Warden's obsidian hide barely cracked.
Kaelith: (yelling) Stop thinking like a human! Shadows aren't about brute force—they're about precision!
Dark gritted his teeth, dodging another swipe from the Warden's claws. The creature roared, its glowing eyes locked onto him as it charged again. He sidestepped, using the shadows to propel himself upward, landing on the Warden's back. With a swift motion, he drove Kyuketsu into the creature's neck, the blade sinking deeper this time.
Dark: (thinking) Precision. Fine. Let's try this.
He extended his will through Kyuketsu, the blade's aura intensifying. The shadows wrapped around the Warden's neck, tightening like a noose. The creature thrashed wildly, trying to shake him off, but he held firm.
Kaelith: (grinning) Now you're getting it.
The Warden let out a deafening roar, its obsidian hide cracking under the pressure of the shadows. Dark leapt off its back, landing a few feet away as the creature collapsed to one knee. He raised Kyuketsu, the blade's dark energy radiating with power.
Kaelith: (warning) Don't get cocky, Dark. Finish it before it finishes you.
The Warden's eyes flared brighter, and its body began to glow with an intense heat. The air around it shimmered as molten cracks spread across its surface. Dark's instincts screamed at him to move, but the creature was faster.
It slammed its claws into the ground, sending a shockwave of molten energy surging toward him. Dark activated Shadow Step, barely avoiding the attack as the ground where he stood erupted in flames.
Dark: (thinking, frustrated) This thing's not going down without a fight.
Kaelith: (yelling) Stop running and control the fight! Use the shadows—own them!
Dark growled under his breath, her words cutting through his frustration. He focused, the shadows around him responding immediately. They surged forward, wrapping around the Warden's limbs and pinning it to the ground.
Dark: (coldly) Stay down.
He raised Kyuketsu, channeling all his energy into the blade. The shadows coiled around it, merging with its dark aura as he brought it down in a powerful strike. The blade pierced through the Warden's molten core, shattering it with a burst of energy.
The creature let out one final, guttural roar before collapsing into a heap of obsidian shards. The ground trembled briefly before falling silent.
Dark stood over the remains, his chest heaving as he lowered Kyuketsu. The shadows around him faded, retreating into the dim light of the canyon.
Kaelith approached, her smirk replaced by a look of approval.
Kaelith: (calmly) Not bad. Still sloppy, but better.
Dark: (flatly) You really know how to give a compliment.
Kaelith chuckled, crossing her arms.
Kaelith: (grinning) Get used to it. You're not done yet.
Dark: (sighing) Of course I'm not.
Kaelith turned, the shadows parting as she began to walk away.
Kaelith: (over her shoulder) Rest up. Tomorrow, we start on something a little more... advanced.
Dark watched her disappear into the darkness, his grip on Kyuketsu tightening.
Dark: (thinking) Advanced, huh? Bring it on.
The stars above shimmered faintly, their cold light illuminating the canyon as Dark prepared himself for whatever Kaelith had planned next.
Dark rested his hands on his knees, catching his breath as the echoes of the battle faded into the silent canyon. The remnants of the Abyssal Warden lay scattered around him—obsidian shards glowing faintly with residual heat. Each fragment seemed to hum with latent energy, and he couldn't help but feel the weight of their destruction.
Kaelith's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding.
Kaelith: Pick up a shard.
Dark: (glancing up, irritated) What for? Souvenir?
Kaelith: (coldly) Just do it.
Dark sighed, reaching down to grab one of the shards. The moment his fingers touched it, a jolt of energy surged through him. He winced, the shard vibrating violently in his hand before going still. Its glow dimmed, and for a brief second, he felt something—like a whisper in the back of his mind.
Dark: (thinking, frowning) What the hell was that?
Kaelith: (smirking) That, Dark, is a fragment of the Abyss. A piece of power most mortals wouldn't survive touching.
Dark: (dryly) Lucky me.
Kaelith: (mocking) You're not dead, so I'd say you're doing alright.
Dark turned the shard over in his hand, studying it closely. The whispering sensation lingered, faint and distant, like a voice calling from the depths of a vast void.
Dark: (flatly) So what am I supposed to do with this?
Kaelith stepped closer, her piercing gaze locking onto him.
Kaelith: Consume it.
Dark: (staring at her) Excuse me?
Kaelith: (grinning) You heard me. Absorb its essence. Let it merge with your power.
Dark hesitated, his grip tightening on the shard.
Dark: (thinking) This feels like a bad idea. But then again, everything about this training has felt like a bad idea.
Kaelith: (impatiently) Don't overthink it. You've already taken in worse—Vorax, the system, the shadows you wield. This is nothing compared to that. Unless you're afraid.
Dark's crimson eyes narrowed at the taunt. Without another word, he closed his eyes and focused, channeling his energy into the shard. The whispers grew louder, sharper, until they were a deafening roar in his mind. The shard's heat intensified, searing his palm as its essence seeped into him.
The pain was excruciating, like molten fire coursing through his veins. Dark staggered, dropping to one knee as the shadows around him flared uncontrollably. Kyuketsu hummed at his side, its dark aura pulsing erratically in response.
Kaelith: (sharply) Control it! Don't let it overwhelm you!
Dark: (through gritted teeth) Easier said... than done!
The essence of the shard twisted inside him, a chaotic storm of raw power fighting to break free. Dark clenched his fists, forcing the energy to bend to his will. The shadows around him coiled tighter, forming a barrier that seemed to stabilize the surging force within.
Slowly, the pain began to subside. The whispers faded, replaced by a deep, resonant silence. Dark opened his eyes, his crimson gaze now faintly tinged with a molten gold hue. He stood, his body radiating a faint aura of combined shadow and fire.
Kaelith: (smirking) Now that's more like it.
Dark: (breathing heavily) What... was that?
Kaelith: (calmly) The essence of the Abyssal Warden. Its power is yours now—if you can learn to control it. Think of it as... an upgrade.
Dark: (thinking, flexing his hand) Feels more like a curse.
Kaelith stepped back, her expression serious.
Kaelith: (warning) It could be, if you're reckless. But if you master it, you'll be one step closer to becoming what you're meant to be.
Dark: (flatly) And what's that? Your little project?
Kaelith: (grinning) Call it what you want. Just don't forget who's helping you survive.
Dark didn't respond, his focus shifting inward. The new power within him felt volatile, dangerous—but also exhilarating. He could feel it simmering beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
Kaelith: (calmly) Get some rest. Tomorrow, we push further.
Dark: (thinking, smirking faintly) She's relentless.
As Kaelith turned and disappeared into the shadows, Dark remained standing in the canyon, staring at the stars above. The faint golden glow in his eyes reflected the distant light, a subtle reminder of the power he now carried.
Dark: (thinking) I'll master this. And when I do... nothing will stand in my way.
The shadows around him rippled faintly, responding to his determination. The fight was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, Dark felt ready.
Dark stood alone in the canyon, his crimson eyes gleaming faintly as he stared at the smoldering remnants of the Abyssal Warden. The once-overwhelming energy of the shattered fragments now coursed through his veins like a second heartbeat. Every breath he took felt charged, heavy with an unfamiliar weight.
Dark: (thinking) Absorbing magic... absorbing power... is this what it feels like?
He flexed his fingers, watching as faint tendrils of shadow and molten light coiled around his hand. They pulsed with energy, responding to his slightest thought. The power wasn't just raw—it was alive, vibrant, and unpredictable, like a storm barely contained within his body.
Dark: (thinking) It's not just a boost in strength. It's something deeper. It's... everything.
For the first time, he could feel the essence of magic itself flowing through him—not just his own, but the remnants of the Warden's might, melded with the shadows of his own power. It wasn't simply strength or energy; it was like his core had been expanded, his connection to the fabric of existence itself growing sharper.
Dark: (softly) Absorbing power isn't just about taking it. It's about understanding it... controlling it.
Kaelith's words from earlier echoed in his mind: "Control it! Don't let it overwhelm you!" She wasn't warning him out of concern—she was challenging him to become something more. And now, as the whispers of the Abyss faded into silence, he realized what that "more" was.
Dark: (thinking) This isn't just about magic. It's about everything—life, energy, willpower. If I can absorb power, I can reshape it. Reforge it. Make it my own.
He took a slow, deliberate breath. The air around him seemed to thrum in response, a faint ripple in the fabric of the canyon. Even the shadows under his feet felt more tangible, more responsive, as though they were extensions of himself rather than mere tools.
Dark: (thinking, a faint smirk) So this is what she meant by "one step closer."
He looked down at the shattered fragments of the Warden, scattered like embers on the ground. Each piece still glowed faintly, humming with dormant energy. He crouched and placed his hand over a shard, letting the power seep into his skin. This time, it didn't resist him. It flowed into him like water, filling the gaps in his strength he didn't even know existed.
Dark: (thinking) I can absorb more. Take what's left of it. Make it mine.
The process was slow, deliberate. Each fragment brought with it a new wave of energy, a surge that threatened to burn him out if he wasn't careful. But Dark didn't falter. He gritted his teeth and forced the power to yield to his will, molding it like a blacksmith hammering molten steel into shape.
As the last shard dissolved into his body, he stood upright, exhaling sharply. The air around him crackled faintly, the canyon seeming brighter, sharper. Everything felt... amplified.
Dark: (softly, to himself) So this is what it means to absorb power.
He clenched his fist, feeling the energy ripple through him. It wasn't just a physical transformation. His mind felt clearer, sharper, as though new pathways had been opened. He could sense the intricate weavings of magic around him now—threads of energy that had always been there, just beyond his grasp.
Dark: (thinking, deeply) If I can do this with the Warden's power... then what's next? How far can I push this?
He thought back to the battles he had fought, the enemies he had faced. All the times he had relied on brute strength, on raw determination, to overpower his opponents. But this—this was different. This was evolution.
Dark: (thinking) If I can absorb their power, their magic, their essence... I won't just fight stronger. I'll become stronger.
The implications were staggering. He could already feel his connection to Kyuketsu deepening, the blade's dark aura resonating with his newfound strength. It, too, seemed to feed on the remnants of the Warden's energy, growing sharper, deadlier.
Dark: (thinking, smirking faintly) Kaelith doesn't even realize what she's done.
The shadows around him shifted, coiling like living entities. He held out his hand, and they swirled upward, forming a jagged, shifting sphere of raw energy. It pulsed in time with his heartbeat, a manifestation of his growing understanding of magic itself.
Dark: (thinking, determined) This is only the beginning. If I can master this... there's nothing I can't face. Not Azraelis. Not even Cosmic.
He let the sphere dissipate, the shadows melting back into the canyon floor. His crimson eyes burned with renewed purpose, the faint golden hue from the Warden's essence still lingering in his gaze.
Dark: (softly) Kaelith was right about one thing. I'm closer now... to becoming what I was always meant to be.
He turned back toward the fortress, his cloak billowing in the faint wind. The night felt alive with possibility, the stars above seeming to shine brighter, more vivid.
Dark: (thinking, smirking) But this time, I'm the one calling the shots.
As he stepped forward, the air seemed to ripple in his wake, the weight of his power undeniable. He had learned to absorb magic, to take the strength of others and make it his own. And he wasn't going to stop here.
Dark: (thinking, resolute) No more limits. No more doubts.
The fortress loomed in the distance as Dark walked forward, his presence casting long, distorted shadows against the jagged rocks of the canyon. The air around him seemed heavier now, more electric, as though the world itself was holding its breath. The newfound energy coursing through him hummed with potential, a quiet storm waiting to be unleashed.
Dark: (thinking) I've taken a step closer, but it's not enough. Not yet.
He stopped just before the fortress gates, the massive stone doors now cracked and weathered after the battle with the Abyssal Warden. The remnants of his power lingered in the air like faint embers, a testament to how far he had come. But Dark knew he was far from his peak.
Dark placed his hand on the cold stone, the energy in his veins responding instinctively. The doors groaned, ancient mechanisms grinding against one another as they slowly creaked open. Beyond them, the darkness of the fortress seemed deeper, more alive.
Dark: (thinking, smirking faintly) You can feel it, can't you? This place recognizes what I've become.
The moment he stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The shadows clung to him more eagerly, responding to his presence with an almost reverent energy. The fortress was alive in a way he hadn't noticed before, its walls thrumming faintly, as if whispering secrets to him.
As he moved deeper into the fortress, the air grew colder, heavier. The faint glow of runes lined the walls, their inscriptions unreadable yet resonating with power. Dark's steps echoed through the empty halls, the sound swallowed quickly by the oppressive silence.
Then, without warning, the air shifted. A faint ripple, like the distortion of heat over asphalt, appeared ahead of him. Dark's hand instinctively went to Kyuketsu's hilt, the blade humming faintly in response.
A soft laugh echoed through the corridor, low and mocking. Dark's crimson eyes narrowed as the figure of Kaelith emerged from the shadows. Her movements were graceful, almost predatory, as she stepped into the faint light of the runes.
Kaelith: Impressive. You've learned quickly, Dark. Faster than I expected.
Dark: (coldly) If you're here to pat yourself on the back, don't bother. What do you want?
Kaelith tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
Kaelith: I didn't come to fight, if that's what you're worried about. I came to see the aftermath of your little awakening.
She gestured toward him, her golden eyes gleaming.
Kaelith: You're radiating it now. Power. Confidence. But tell me... do you truly understand what you've become?
Dark's grip on Kyuketsu tightened, the blade's aura flaring briefly.
Dark: (sharp) I understand enough. That's all I need.
Kaelith laughed softly, shaking her head.
Kaelith: Always so stubborn. You think absorbing power is just about strength? About making yourself more dangerous? It's not that simple, Dark.
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a near-whisper.
Kaelith: The power you've taken isn't yours—not yet. It carries memories, fragments of will. If you don't master it, it will master you.
Dark glared at her, his shadows coiling defensively.
Dark: (snarling) I've controlled it so far. I'll keep controlling it.
Kaelith stopped, her smirk fading as her gaze hardened.
Kaelith: You don't get it, do you? This is just the beginning. The Abyssal Warden's essence is strong, but it's nothing compared to what's out there. If you think you can just brute force your way through, you're going to burn out. Or worse.
Dark: (growling) Then I'll deal with it when it happens.
Kaelith sighed, crossing her arms.
Kaelith: Fine. Be reckless. But don't say I didn't warn you.
Before Dark could respond, the fortress trembled. The ground beneath them shook violently, and the runes on the walls flared brighter, their once-muted glow now a blinding light. A deafening roar echoed through the halls, raw and unrelenting.
Kaelith's eyes widened, her body tensing.
Kaelith: (low) He's here.
Dark: (thinking, tense) He?
The roar grew louder, closer, shaking the very air around them. Dark unsheathed Kyuketsu, the blade's aura flaring as he scanned the corridor ahead. The shadows around him stirred restlessly, reacting to the overwhelming energy that approached.
Then, from the darkness, a figure emerged.
Azraelis.
His mismatched wings stretched wide, the blackened feathers trailing faint wisps of smoke while the white ones gleamed like burning stars. His golden and abyssal eyes locked onto Dark, their gaze piercing.
Azraelis: (calmly) So this is what you've become.
Dark stepped forward, his grip on Kyuketsu unwavering.
Dark: (coldly) What do you want, Azraelis?
Azraelis smirked faintly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.
Azraelis: To see if you're ready. To see if you've truly earned the power you claim.
Kaelith stepped back, her expression unreadable as she watched the two men face off.
Kaelith: (softly) Don't underestimate him, Dark.
Azraelis tilted his head, his smirk widening.
Azraelis: (mockingly) Yes, Dark. Don't underestimate me.
The tension between them was palpable, the air crackling with energy as shadows and light swirled around them. Dark's crimson eyes burned with determination as he raised Kyuketsu.
Dark: (low) Then let's find out.
Azraelis's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. He raised his hand, and a scythe materialized in his grip—a weapon of celestial and abyssal power, its blade gleaming with an unnatural light.
Azraelis: (softly) Show me what you've learned, Dark. Prove that you're worthy.
And with that, the fortress erupted into chaos.
Dark dashed forward, shadows exploding from beneath his feet as Kyuketsu roared to life in his grip. The crimson glow of his blade clashed against the oppressive brilliance of Azraelis's scythe, the collision sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
Azraelis: (calmly) Predictable.
With a flick of his wrist, Azraelis deflected the strike, the scythe's celestial edge sparking against Kyuketsu. He moved with an effortless grace, his wings spreading wide as he leapt back into the air, hovering just out of Dark's reach.
Azraelis: (mocking) You fight like a child with a new toy. Swinging wildly without understanding its true weight.
Dark snarled, shadows spiraling around him as he launched himself upward, Kyuketsu blazing with dark energy. His blade cut through the air in a vicious arc, aimed directly at Azraelis's throat. But the fallen angel moved faster than Dark anticipated, twisting midair to dodge the attack and retaliating with a swipe of his scythe.
The scythe's blade grazed Dark's shoulder, and the sheer force of the strike sent him hurtling back to the ground. He crashed into the stone floor with a thunderous impact, cracks spiderwebbing outward from the point of contact.
Azraelis: (landing gracefully) Is that it? After all the talk, all the training, this is the best you can offer?
Dark pushed himself up, blood dripping from the shallow wound on his shoulder. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his crimson eyes blazing with fury.
Dark: (low, dangerous) You talk too much.
He extended his free hand, and the shadows around him coiled tighter, growing denser, darker. The temperature in the room plummeted as the energy swirled into a singular point in his palm, forming an orb of pure black energy.
Dark: (coldly) Let's see how you handle this.
With a roar, he hurled the orb toward Azraelis. The projectile tore through the air, distorting the space around it as it streaked toward its target. Azraelis raised his scythe, spinning it with a practiced ease to deflect the attack. But as the orb collided with the weapon, it exploded into a cascade of shadowy tendrils, each one lashing out violently.
Azraelis's eyes narrowed, his wings folding around him to shield against the onslaught. The tendrils wrapped around him, tightening with an almost sentient malice. For a moment, it seemed as though Dark had gained the upper hand.
Dark: (thinking, smirking) Got you.
But then, Azraelis laughed.
Azraelis: (mockingly) Is this all? Do you think shadows alone can bind me?
The tendrils began to burn away, consumed by a blinding light emanating from Azraelis's body. The air around him shimmered with celestial power as he broke free, the sheer force of his energy pushing Dark back several feet.
Azraelis: (calmly) You've learned how to absorb magic, but you haven't learned to control it. You're reckless, undisciplined. Power without control is just chaos, Dark.
Dark growled, the shadows around him flickering as he steadied himself.
Dark: (snarling) I'll show you control.
He surged forward again, Kyuketsu glowing with a deep, malevolent energy. His strikes came faster now, each one precise and relentless. Azraelis met every blow with equal force, the clash of their weapons lighting up the room like a storm of fire and darkness.
The fortress groaned under the strain of their battle, ancient stone crumbling as shockwaves rippled outward. Azraelis fought with an infuriating calm, each of his movements deliberate and calculated. Dark, in contrast, was a storm of rage and determination, his attacks fueled by raw emotion.
Azraelis: (smirking) You're improving. But it's still not enough.
With a sudden burst of speed, Azraelis moved behind Dark, his scythe arcing downward in a devastating strike. Dark barely managed to turn in time, raising Kyuketsu to block the attack. The force of the collision sent him skidding backward, his feet digging into the stone floor.
Dark: (thinking, frustrated) He's toying with me. Like I'm some kind of novice.
Azraelis's smirk widened as he lowered his scythe, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone.
Azraelis: You'll need more than brute strength to face what's coming, Dark. If this is all you've got, you'll be crushed before you even have the chance to fight.
Dark's eyes narrowed, his grip on Kyuketsu tightening.
Dark: (coldly) Then stop holding back and show me.
Azraelis's expression shifted, his amusement replaced by something darker.
Azraelis: (softly) As you wish.
The light around Azraelis intensified, his wings stretching to their full span. The ground beneath him cracked as his energy surged, filling the room with an oppressive weight. Dark braced himself, his shadows coiling defensively around him as Azraelis raised his scythe.
Azraelis: (calmly) Let's see if you're worth saving.
With a single, fluid motion, Azraelis swung his scythe, unleashing a wave of energy that tore through the fortress like a tidal wave. Dark's eyes widened as the attack hurtled toward him, the sheer force of it threatening to consume him.
Dark: (thinking, determined) Not today.
He raised Kyuketsu, channeling every ounce of his newfound power into the blade. The shadows around him surged forward, forming a barrier of darkness that collided with Azraelis's attack. The resulting explosion rocked the fortress, the shockwave sending both combatants flying in opposite directions.
When the dust settled, Dark pushed himself to his feet, his breathing heavy but his resolve unbroken. Across the room, Azraelis stood untouched, his smirk returning.
Azraelis: (softly) You're not there yet. But... you're getting closer.
Before Dark could respond, Azraelis vanished, his form dissolving into a cascade of light and shadow. The fortress grew silent once more, the echoes of their battle fading into the distance.
Dark sheathed Kyuketsu, his crimson eyes burning with renewed determination.
Dark: (thinking) If he wants me to get stronger, I'll get stronger. But next time... I won't just match him. I'll surpass him.
He turned and walked toward the shattered remains of the fortress gate, the weight of his resolve pressing down on him.
End Of Arc 4 Chapter 3.