-----

Aquarina kept training, and training, and training.

She converted into Hollow dozens of times, and each time, her father stopped her and then utilized potions to heal her mental fatigue and her vitality.

Until finally, after 8 months…

"Unnggh… Ahhhh… Hahhhh…" Aquarina was gasping for air, resisting the darkness, and standing still… Somehow, this time, it was different.

After dozens of times of being consumed she started to slowly gain a resistance. Her mind was changing, it was becoming capable of resisting the Abyss that was brought by her lineage's powers. The shadows that consumed countless members in the past…

"Can you move in that state?" Shade asked.

"I… can!" Aquarina muttered, her eyes growing redder as she felt like they were burning.

Aquarina slowly began walking towards her father, step by step, trying not to let the shadows control her, but to control the shadows herself.

"Very well then. Grab your weapons, we'll fight."

"F-Fight?!"

"We must spare as much as possible while you're in that state. It is the only way to accustom your body to it. After you've mastered the first stage, I will teach you the Secret Arts and Hidden Techniques of our Lineage."

Aquarina felt terrified. Not only she had to keep this state for as long as she could, but she had to also spar with the monster of a father she had! She felt in shambles.

Yet… whenever she felt this way, and whenever the abyss tried to devour her, she recalled her memories. The happiness she felt with her family, with her friends…

And Sylphy's smile.

Her bright, and cute smile.

"HAAAH!"

Aquarina gritted her teeth, jumping towards her father as the shadows granted her supernatural speed and strength, her daggers clashed against her father's own, only for him to parry her blow easily and throw her back.

CLASH!

"Not bad, but you need to gather more of your darkness within the weapons, a way to enhance their power is that way. It is called [Shadow Weapon Resonance]…!" Her father quickly did as he was teaching her, imbuing his weapon with his own shadows, not from magic circles, but that emerged out of his own body.

"Eh? Papa's… shadows?" Aquarian felt surprised.

"Surprised? I've been in my Shadow Embodiment all this time. It is like something natural to me, as normal as breathing. When you finally reach this stage, your mind will be stronger than anything." Said Shade. "Not even the strongest illusions, nor the most powerful brainwashing drugs will be able to affect your mind. This is the state where I have devoured the Abyss itself, [Abyssal Mind]."

"A-Amazing…" Aquarina felt amazed by the incredible powers of her father, her mentor.

"It even helps at reflecting curses and even any attack directed to your mind. You'll be even able to infilter other people's minds and devour their memories, even." Shade said. "But well, that's not something you can do yet, nor in many years to come. For now, let's spar. Keep attacking me as much as you can!"

CLASH!

CLASH!

CLAAASH!

Shade and Aquarina kept sparring, as he taught her many insights.

"Utilize your eyes! Vampyr's eyes can see through enemy weak points! You see the red spots around my body? Aim at them!"

CLASH!

"Imbue your shadows into the ligaments of your muscles, enhance your flexibility and strength! Even if your muscles are torn apart, I can heal them later."

CLAASH!

"Never forget what's important to you, do not let the Abyss devour your mind. Stay focused!"

CLAAASH!

"GRUAAAAAAAH!"

"Hollow again… It has been a while since your last transformation, you're getting better."

CLAAAAASH!

Like that, years went by…

Aquarina stood over a cliff, her body melding with darkness, as she managed to gather the shadows into her heart, turning it completely into this element. Her eyes glowed red amidst her shadow body…

"In only three years, you've managed it. You've truly mastered the First Stage, Aquarina."

"…But its not enough, isn't it?"

"Indeed… From now on, we'll have even harsher trainings. There'll be a time when I won't be able to help you anymore, you'll need special materials to enhance this power. Shadow and Darkness Element Materials."

"Materials…?"

"Your powers can only grow as you absorb darkness and shadows from high quality sources… In the past, our family used to devour the weaker ones to grow stronger, but such a method is no longer possible, nor I think you'll want it either. You'll have to develop it like I did."

"Develop…"

"Sylphy is becoming a great Alchemist. I am sure she'll be able to help you find and process these materials. Once you can gather enough, you'll be able to grow even stronger."

"I guess Sylphy became even more vital for me…"

Shade smiled back at his daughter as she spoke about her friend.

"Ahem, yeah, well, I approve her by the way."

"EH?! W-What are you talking about?!"

Aquarina recalled these memories, her shadows flowing across her body. Negative emotions, madness, and the abyss itself were engulfing her mind… yet she seemed calm and composed while fighting. She manipulated the Abyssal powers, slicing the second eel's head, and then jumping into another that aimed at Zephy and Nephi.

"SHAAAAH!"

The angered Giant Eel roared furiously, opening its jaws, and suddenly gathering Magic! This one seemed similar than the others, but it was in fact a different variant, which was feed upon the blood of the Sea Snake, acquiring the power of unleashing Breath Attacks!

BOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!

An enormous beam of pure magical power was unleashed from within the eel's jaws, impacting Aquarina while she was in midair!

"[Soul Reaper]"

However, Aquarina emerged behind the Eel, like a phantasmal being made of shadows, her scythe sliced through the Eel's spiritual body, its soul, and harvested it!

SLAAAAASH!

"SHYYAAAAAHH…!"

The eel agonized, having its soul taken out of the body, the entire body began to lose its life, falling into the ground and perishing on the spot.

Sylphy glanced at Aquarina's beautiful and graceful body shrouded by shadows… her eyes shining in admiration and surprise.

"A-Amazing…"

-----

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like