Dualities | Solo levelling X Tbate

Destruction

Suddenly, his eyes caught movement in his shadow. 

The shadow extended, materialising as Antares manifested. His purple eyes flickered into a fiery ember as he scanned him- or more specifically his chest, a frown formed over his sharp face. His large clawed hand extended and grabbed Tess by the back of her dress and lifted her up.

"Take a side, Elf. I have some business with the boy." His voice was rough and harsh as he took her away and threw her small frame at Virion who stood in the corner, a worried expression over his face but unmoving as he didn't dare to even move or react to the harsh treatment his granddaughter received.

Antares came closer, his steps unwavering and an unamused expression over his face. His one hand grabbed him by his nest of aburn hair never taking his gaze of Arthur. His narrow slit purple eyes looked back at him, not carrying even an iota of emotion. The index finger of his other hand that was balled into a fist released as he placed it on the right side of his chest. His sharp nail dug into his flesh with a wet squelch as a yelp escaped his mouth,

"What are you doing?" Arthur gasped, his eyes widening as grabbed his finger, trying his best not to let him continue. He looked at him once again as his essence trembled under his gaze. The edges of Antare's true form flickered around him... and for a second Arthur saw a dragon.

A vision flooded his mind, the surroundings had changed, he saw a dragon looming over a ruined landscape, its massive wings beating slowly and steadily, each stroke sending tremors throughout the earth. Its eyes blazed like twin orbs of pure red fire, which was only light in a world that had been plunged into darkness and despair.

The dragon's scales gleamed in the dim light, each one as hard as steel and as sharp as a razor. Its claws alone were the size of houses, capable of pummelling entire cities in a single blow. And it's movements shook the ground shook beneath its feet, the air rippling with the sheer force of its presence, it breath alone hotter than volcanic ash.

As the dragon took to the air, its massive wings beating a thunderous rhythm. It soared high into the sky, its wingspan so vast that it seemed to blanket the entire horizon. And as it flew, it left destruction in its wake, reducing entire planets and worlds to smouldering ruins. A living embodiment of destruction and chaos,

And for the first time Arthur felt himself even smaller than an ant. Struggle seemed useless... he never felt so powerless before. Letting out deep breaths his tight grip over his clawed finger loosened, letting him do as he pleased, with no further interruption Antare's red clawed finger dug deeper.

A searing pain went through though his chest as blood gushed out from the gaping hole.His eyes widened in surprise, as he felt a metaphorical tug in his consciousness. The previous thoughts of mass murder and chaos slowly subsiding. His breathing became ragged, he could hear the pounding beat of his heart against his rib-cage. His finger left the gaping cavity with a wet squelch, a few drops of red falling on the ground.

Arthur looked around to see Tess burying her face in Virion, her body trembling as she clutched onto his robe tightly. His sight shifted from them to his wound. The similar crimson motes stuck onto the searing wound like a parasite, healing it at a speed that should be impossible even for an experienced emitter. Looking up Antares had vanished without a trace while Virion was moving towards Arthur with a worried look over his face followed by Tess who moved slowly beside him.

"Are you okay now, brat?" He asked, genuine concern laced in his voice.

"Worried much?" Arthur asked with a smug smile and raised a brow at him. He let out a grunt as he slapped his back.

"You made me worried sick, brat. What happened to you back there? First you lost yourself and almost killed me, then without even a warning you fainted and were out for the whole 2 days." He spoke.

WHAT? 2 DAYS?

"I wish I knew the answer to that." Arthur replied as he looked down at his clenched fist. It's a question that he had been asking himself since he woke up. Why was he acting like this? What was happening to him?

"By the way your "Cousins" said you should stay here to get you assimilated with your beast will. Once you are assimilated completely you can return home." Virion spoke in a neutral tone.

"What? Have they left already?" He asked, trying to get up, but a firm hand was placed over his shoulder as he motioned for him to sit. "He told me not to tell you many things in detail. Just know he will meet you when you are ready. As for now, forget about everything and just concentrate on your assimilation." He paused as he let his pale fingers run through his long silvery beard,

"I will be waiting for you and the little one in the lawn downstairs. Don't make me wait too long." He said and a small smile crept up his face as he looked at Tess and threw her a wink. Tess' face flushed beet red as Virion hopped out of the room with a satisfied grin over his face.

Shaking her head violently she made her way towards Arthur and clutched his hand in both of hers as she started pulling me,

"Come on Art, let's go. Grandpa is waiting downstairs." She said in a cheerful tone. He gave her a bright smile, the best one he could muster as he got up from the bed and started following her.

____________________________________________

The sun shone down on the lush green landscape, casting long shadows across the rolling hills and verdant forests. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying with it the sweet scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. It was a perfect day for a stroll, if it wasn't for the unpredictable and hazardous terrain of the beast glades.

Jin woo walked, as he marvelled at the beauty around him - the vibrant colours of the flowers, the soft rustling of the leaves, and the clear, clean air that filled his lungs. He could hear the distant sounds of animals - the chirping of birds, the rustling of small creatures in the underbrush, and the occasional bellow of some larger beast.

In the distance, he saw a herd of creatures, their lithe forms bounding through the fields. They were a beautiful sight to behold, with sleek, muscular bodies and eyes that gleamed with intelligence and curiosity. He watched them for a while, before continuing on his way.

As he walked, he came across a small stream, its clear waters gurgling merrily as they flowed over the smooth stones. He knelt down, cupping his hands and scooping up a handful of water to drink. It was cool and refreshing, and he drank deeply, savoring the taste.

As he stood up, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned, ready to greet whatever creature might be lurking there, when he saw a pair of lavender eyes, coupled with a water fall of white. The girl would have been the embodiment of ethereal beauty if not for the amount of blood staining her cloths and skin.

"Sorry had to make a stop, on one the corruption camps" she sighed, wiping the stains that had gotten near her mouth while she took a seat next to him.

"I don't know why we're being so calm with our attack" he voice was frustrated urging for an answer. "We don't want him to make that snake more cautious than he already is, and-" without uttering a word he hovered his hand above her head. A purple magic circle manifested over him as he lent her his vision.

Sylvia let out a breath as her vision traveled to surroundings hundreds of miles away, creeping into a cave which had been corrupted by Alacryan mages. Her eyes peered intently as she saw, a pearl coloured Vritra, conversing with a little child. She burrowed her eyes in confusion, while her vision returned to her.

"Who we're they?"

"That little girl, was Nico's replacement. I had planned to originally kill Nico if needed, but I don't think killing a child will sit well with ether of us" he explained, causing Sylvia to press the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Want to hatch your child?" Jin woo, changed to a different topic with a warm smile gracing his face. Sylvia's gloomy mood took a quick turn as she got up to her feat, an ecstatic smile etched on every corner of her face, spatial magic warped around her hand but Jin woo's hands grasped her slender one's firmly interrupting the process.

"Let's do it in the void, in case Agrona put some sort of trap or recording device on her my domain will cancel out" he explained, conjuring a portal in the process. Sylvia's face flushed with embarrassment but quickly composed her self, as she clenched her interlinked hands and dragged him with her into the portal.