Ash (Pov)
"So I'm a vampire?"
"Yes, although technically you have evolved into a Vampiric Eclipse Phoenix, the first of your kind."
"How can our master use holy magic, and why does she suddenly have wings?" I'm not sure when I got used to calling her master, it just felt natural.
"I do not know why she can use holy magic. As for our recent evolution." She gestured to her black wings. "She was trying to master the holy element when it invaded her system. For any other race that would be fine, helpful even. Our master is immune to the holy element but that immunity only protects her from outside attacks. When she cut herself to practice with the healing of holy magic. It entered her body and attacked every cell of her being. However, because it is holy magic, it also healed what is damaged. Our master was in a repetitive cycle of pain for a little more than a week before she adapted to the changes within her body." A tear slipped down my cheek as I thought about the amount of suffering she had to endure having every part of her body being torn apart only to be reconstructed over and over again.
"Now, let's figure out a story for our master. We will also have to explain the changes to you." She said, changing the topic and gesturing to my new appearance. She was right. I had changed quite a bit. My vermillion hair had been replaced with wavy pitch-black hair. My once turquoise eyes were the shade of amber. The most critical change, however, was that my cultivation had risen from Master to Duke within three weeks.
"Oh, I've also just been notified by our master that she will not be using her magic while in the city." I wanted to ask why but looking at Cinder it was obvious she didn't know as well. After thinking about it for a while I had an idea.
"Hmmm, I could say that I noticed potential in her and was so excited in training her that I lost track of time. That she had so much magic in her that it forced an evolution in both of us when she broke through her cultivation and I had to seal her magic before it killed her."
"That sounds plausible to me."
Seras (Pov)
It was a whole new world in front of me. For starters, there were people everywhere, which made me salivate. I need to find a way to feed without killing and getting caught. First, though I should let Ash out. Walking behind a tavern I asked Cinder to come and to bring Ash with her. My shadow extended outwards and they walked out. Both of them were smiling at me as a daughter would to a mother. It was kinda unsettling and calming.
"Now what was the story you two came up with?"
"We thought that it would be believable that I saw potential in you when you awoke from your cultivation. I decided to train you in holy magic, but you exceed my expectations. When you broke through you released so much energy that it forced an evolution in both of us. To stop your magic and energy from running rampant and killing you I had to seal your magic. Is that an acceptable story Mam?" "Yes, that will work, head back to the church. You haven't fed yet, come here. We wouldn't want you killing anybody just yet would we." I said biting my wrist and placing it before her.
Hesitantly she looked up at me. I just nodded with a smile before she latched onto my wrist. After five minutes I pulled my arm back, she let out an adorable whine. "Now, go to the Church. Tell them what they need to hear. I'm going to explore the city, if you need me, call into the shadows. Cinder will know." With that, I turned and walked off, time to explore.
Notice: Your Pearl of Rebirth has gained the bloodlines of the Steel-plated Deer, Fire Boar, and Shadow Raven|
Notice: Skill Steal has activated. Skills Steel plating, fireball, and shadow manipulation|
Notice: +500 exp, +200 gold|
What the holy hell! I receive stuff from the animals my Repith pill kills. I'm gonna level like a motherfucker once it produces spores. Ok, ok, I already mastered darkness and fire magic and my hair is gold plated so I don't need this. I guess I'll pick shadow manipulation, maybe it will help Cinder?
Notice: Skill Shadow manipulation gained.|
Notice: You have gained insight into the Shadow Dao 2%|
What the fuck! Well, I guess that makes sense, sort of. I have already mastered the darkness element and have a title related to darkness. Maybe that is one of the requirements to gain insight into a Dao? I'll figure it out later, now is my time to explore, not worry about my cultivation. Plus my Magic spark will start to refine the shadow element into my body so I don't have to worry. Sweet, a huge grin threatened to split my face.
Alex, can you tell me a bit about the city I'm in, please? I mentally thought. I needed to start using mental commands instead of my voice, else everyone will think I'm insane.
Notice: Sapphire City is a coastal city. There are three main powerhouses: The Church, Royalty, and the Adventurers Guild. It contains two temples of the church, the Temple of War and the Temple of Beauty. Count Lucas Grey is in charge of the city.|
I guess I'll head to the Adventurers Guild, I already have a backer in the Church. Now I need someone of high standing Royalty. Ok, Alex, show me how to get to the Guild. Immediately a blue line appeared at my feet, leading into the bustling city. As I was following the path I noticed all the stares pointed in my direction, huh.
What was it about me, it wasn't my wings as I noticed that there were some avian beast-men with wings. So what is it? That's when I noted that they were not particularly staring at me, but more staring at my clothes. Of course, I'm wearing black tactical gear. Black steeled-toed combat boots, black cargo pants with knives strapped to my leg, and a tactical hooded ranger vest are not common clothes in this era. Well, they can deal with it. I don't have any other clothes right now, I'll buy some fashionable combat clothes in the store later. I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't realize I had made it to the Guild.
Notice: You have arrived at your destination.|
Oh, thank you, Alex. I looked up at the giant marble building. It was three stories high and had large glass windows. There was another large building to the left of it that looked like a smithy. To the right was an apothecary. As I walked into the building I looked around, noting all the different races and power levels. I may be only level 32 but my strength is off the charts for someone of my level compared to what I was seeing around me. There was a help desk at the very back of the building with three lines. May as well get registered, just as I stepped in line a snotty little shitstain tried to push me out of the way.
"Get out of my way you feathered freak!" A couple of beast-men in the building growled but did nothing to get up, interesting. I looked down at the person in front of me. That's right I looked down at him. He seemed to be around 5'11 while I stood at 6'2. He was human, judging by his aura I'd say he was in the middle of the Master and Grandmaster stage, and the way he acted he must be of some nobility. As I was thinking I didn't notice that he had pulled out his sword.
"Didn't you hear what I said, get out of my way! Beast-men like you are only good for one thing, slaving for humans. I don't know why my father lets your kind ...." I didn't let him finish his stupid rant, instead, I released 10% of my aura of blood. Everyone around me started to sweat and the boy in front of me fell to his knees. I kneeled so that we were at eye level.
"You know, just because you are royalty you think you can get away with doing and saying anything you like. From the way people act around here, I'd say you've been throwing your weight around for quite some time. Well now that I'm here I'm going to have to correct your behavior, unfortunately for you, my master has sealed my magic for the time being. Otherwise, I would just heal the damage you are about to receive." A manic grin flashed across my face as I stood up.
"Cinder," I called out. "Be a dear and relieve him of his hands please." Everyone in the building gasped as my shadow formed into a wraith-like copy of me. Instead of being clean about it, she acted how a true wraith should. She flashed towards him and bit into his hands ripping them off and swallowing them whole.
Notice: Human bloodline gained 2%|
"Thank you, dear, go to Ash and tell her what happened. I'm sure I upset someone important."
"Yes, Mam." She replied causing another gasp from the surrounding group of people. She then disappeared into another shadow.
"AHHHHH, My hands my hands!!"(props to anyone who recognizes this quote) Screamed the pathetic whelp underneath me. I rained in my aura and continued towards the line, unfortunately before I could get there I was cut off yet again. An old man with white hair and blue robes stood before me.
George Thro|
Level ???|
Cultivation King|
Guild Master of Sapphire City|
Blood Type Human|
Shit. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, Miss?"
"Victoria, Seras Victoria," I swear I heard Alex chuckle at that.
George Thro (Pov) 10 minutes earlier
"Guild master, Archbishop Ash is still missing, should we send out a search party?" This was a difficult situation, a Archbishop of the church had just up and vanished. Count Grey acted as if he cared but that was a load of shit. Archbishop Ash has helped us in the past, but if we send out a search party the Count will notice and we will have to deal with him. Taking a sip of my tea I looked up at my secretary, a female Kitsune. "I don't know Yuri, what do your instincts tell you?" She opened her mouth to reply when an aura of killing intent permeated the building. Yuki dropped to her knees gasping for air. I quickly covered her with my qi releasing her from the pressure that surrounded us.
What type of person could release such intent, and also dare to do it in the adventurers guild?
"Yuri, follow me, it appears we have an unhappy guest." "Yes sir." She said, still looking pale with a little bit of blood leaking down her lips. As we were walking down the stairs I heard a scream, that can't be good. Immediately I flew down the rest of the way, encasing Yuri in my qi once again and dragging her with me.
I had reached the ground floor when I saw an amazing sight and something that might resolve my problems. In front of me was a beautiful woman with spiky blond hair, blood-red eyes, and five pairs of white wings with a smattering of red feathers in between. She was dressed in peculiar garb, but from the aura, she produced it doesn't matter. If you're strong, you make your own rules, that is the rule of this world. In a sick fascination, I watched as her shadow swallowed the severed hands of the young master Grey. My eyes widened in shock when the woman spoke to her shadow and it responded, but my surprise doubled when she spoke of Ash. She might not be talking of Archbishop Ash but my gut says otherwise.
As I was thinking, the woman rained in her aura. Causing all who were present to let a sigh of relief and quite a few were able to stand up again. Then she proceeded to walk back in line like nothing happened, all the while young master Grey was wailing on the ground. Unfortunately, this will cause some trouble. Walking up to her I could still feel the lingering effects of her aura, I have to admit it caused me to tremble. Not many can envelop an entire building with their aura and make it seem like nothing. I was still stuck in my thoughts when I stood before her. "Can I help you?" Came an almost bored yet polite voice. "Yes, Miss?" "Victoria, Seras Victoria." "Well, Miss Victoria would you explain why you had your shadow attack someone in my guild?" "He was an asshole." She said calmly although her eyes started to drift away from me and stare at something behind me. "Be that as it may, there is no excuse for the removal of someone's hands. You could have slapped him, punched him, or all other manners of fighting. However, you debilitated him and ruined his future career." She didn't seem to be bothered by what I said or listening for that matter as she walked right past me. I turned around as she walked by heading towards my secretary Yuri.
Seras (Pov)
While the Guild Master was talking to me I noticed a shift in movement behind him. Glancing over his shoulder I noticed a woman with large fox ears and three fox tails swishing behind her. What caught my attention though, was the blood dribbling down her lip. That doesn't make sense though I fed fairly recently.
Notice: Activation of Blood Aura requires you to feed afterward.|
What! Shit, this isn't good. I don't have any blood in my blood ring either. I was standing in front of her by the time I exited my thoughts. Ok, I need to figure this out quickly. The guild master said he wanted to talk right. From the way he looks and talks to me, he isn't really mad at me just putting up a front for the people around us. My stomach growled ok, shit, now or never.
I grabbed the fox girl's hand, pulled her towards me, and walked to the old man, and grabbed his hand as well. Then before they could ask questions I walked towards the nearest shadow and pulled us into the shadow realm. Immediately I let go of the old man and pushed him far away. I couldn't let him interfere. Pulling out the Telekinetic Monofilament Wire, I surrounded us while keeping a rotation on the wire so that whatever tried to get to us would get sliced to pieces. Turning to the fox girl I let out a sad smile. "I'm sorry, I'll try not to kill you." Her eyes widened before my teeth sank into her neck.
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