The oppressive silence lingered as the darkness thickened. Aren’s body lay battered and bloodied on the ground, his breathing faint. Tendrils of black fog spiraled around him, twisting and writhing as though alive.
The mage, stunned by the eerie spectacle, hesitated. "What... What is this?" he muttered, fear flickering in his eyes.
Suddenly, Aren's body lifted off the ground, weightless as though commanded by an unseen force. The shadows converged, and a deep, otherworldly voice rumbled through the air.
"You dare disrupt my plan by harming my contractor?" the voice declared, resonating with wrath. The entity’s tone was neither human nor merciful—it was absolute.
The mage stumbled backward. "This... this can't be!"
Darkness pulsed around Aren, shadow flames rippling across the battlefield. His presence was no longer mortal—it was overwhelming, a manifestation of pure chaos.
From the swirling fog, a sleek, obsidian dagger formed in the entity's hand, glinting ominously in the dim light. The mage raised his trembling arms, casting a desperate shield of fire and earth.
It was futile.
The entity moved faster than sight, a blur of shadows and wrath. In one seamless motion, the dagger cut through the mage's defenses and flesh alike. Blood sprayed into the air but vanished into the consuming darkness. The mage's head hit the ground with a dull thud.
Silence returned.
"The entity's voice softened with a strange possessiveness. "This power... You cannot handle it yet. If I stay any longer, your body will be torn apart."
It lingered for a moment, then whispered, "You have to grow stronger—stronger than anyone before....................."
The words faded into distortion, incomprehensible as the shadows receded into Aren's body.
The shadows quivered, reluctantly withdrawing into Aren's body. The fog dissipated, leaving only the smell of scorched earth and blood behind. Aren collapsed to the ground, motionless.
---
Diluc arrived at the scene, his breath hitching as he took in the carnage. Blood stained the ground, and the lifeless body.
It was Aren who drew his attention.
Diluc's eyes widened. "Aren!"
He sprinted toward him, heart racing. Aren's body was a wreck—covered in deep gashes, his breathing shallow. Blood dripped steadily from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him.
"What in the world happened here?" Diluc muttered, kneeling beside Aren.
The oppressive aura lingered faintly in the air, prickling his senses. Something unnatural had occurred—a force beyond comprehension.
Diluc clenched his fists. Whatever had happened, Aren had survived... but barely.
"I need to get him back—now," Diluc whispered grimly, lifting Aren's limp body.
To Be Continued...
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