"To awaken, you usually need to be on the verge of death. But of course, there are other ways. Someone can help you awaken by giving you a portion or all of their powers, which need to be stronger than yours. You can also awaken by overcoming the powers of an item." Kage explained.
'Verge of death? I experienced death before. What else is worse than that? There's no way it's easy to find anyone willing to help me, much less share their powers with me. The last one… I don't even know where to find an item that could help me with my awakening.' Rem sighed.
"I recommend the last choice because you won't need to look for being on the verge of death or finding someone else who's more powerful than you to share their powers with you. They all have a high chance you'll be on the verge of death anyway. The last choice doesn't require much work. I assume the great Kage has an item that can help Rem?" Zurvan questioned, looking at the black cat.
'Oh?' Rem turned her head, facing the black cat.
"Who do you think I am? I have all kinds of treasures! I'm the amazing Shadow Monarch after all!" Kage spoke aloud.
"Which item is that great anyway?" Rem asked.
"I… I'll help you just once since you're too weak to do anything right now. I'll give you my most precious treasure…" Kage said, pulling a black stone the size of an adult human's fist out of who knows where.
"A rock?" Rem tilted her head to one side, confused.
"How dare you call it a mere rock!!!" Kage huffed.
"It's the highest quality Gamaroon, you doofus!" Kage yelled in rage.
"Ah, it's my first time seeing such a large, high-quality Gamaroon," Zurvan claimed, admiring the rock.
"An explanation, please?" Rem asked.
"A Gamaroon isn't a rock. It's the heart of a god. The stronger the god, the larger the Gamaroon." Kage answered.
"Heart of a god?!" Rem said in shock.
"Yes, I've killed countless gods before. This Gamaroon is the heart of the god who sealed me. He only managed to seal me after sacrificing him and many others. Pathetic, isn't it?" Kage tched.
'Why was he sealed in the first place…?' Rem wondered.
"Anyway, with you being a weak*ss, I estimate it'll take you at least a decade to absorb that Gamaroon," Kage stated.
"What??!" Ram's mouth dropped.
"Don't worry. You have my help, Rem. I can create a space where time passes slower than in the real world. Once a decade passed in that space, only a year would pass in the real world." Zurvan reassured Rem.
"At least that's better than nothing I guess…" Rem said.
"Who knows? Maybe it'll take you a century! Hahahahaha!!!" Kage laughed.
"You're still stuck with me. You should be the last one laughing." Rem smirked.
"Che, whatever," Kage mumbled.
"How do I absorb a Gamaroon?"
"Eat it!" Kage giggled.
"Or absorb it using your mana," Zurvan added quickly.
"You scared me for a second, old cat!" Rem sighed in relief.
"What did you just f*cking call me??!" Kage yelled, pouncing on Rem.
"Hey! Get off me, you stink." Rem swooshed the shadow cat away.
"Humph. Don't call me that next time. I'll be nice and forgive you just this once." Kage exclaimed, turning his head away from Rem.
"I'll create the time space now," Zurvan announced before a flash of golden light appeared, causing Rem to shut her eyes.
When Rem opened her eyes, she was suddenly in the grasslands. Everywhere she looked, there was a bunch of green grass, except for this one humongous tree standing right behind her. The sky was blue with a few clouds drifting around. It wasn't too hot or too cold because of the sun, light breeze, and shade from the giant tree.
"Sorry if this place isn't to your liking. I don't have any more energy left." Said the golden ball of light floating next to Rem.
"I like it very much, thank you. But… Please don't tell me you used up so much energy you can't be in your human form anymore…!" Rem said, staring at the floating golden ball of light.
"Actually… You are correct." Zurvan said awkwardly.
"Zur is as dumb as ever." Kage butted in.
"I didn't have any use of my powers in the first place. Plus, I can simply regain all my every back in due time." Zurvan explained calmly.
"Do what you want. If you meditate while absorbing the Gamaroon, it'll be easier cuz in any other position, like laying down, you can't focus as well. You need a lot of focus to absorb that Gamaroon." Kage stated.
"Then I'll start right now. Thank you, Zurvan, and elder cat." Rem smiled as she sat under the tree.
She closed her eyes and began meditating, ignoring all of the outside voices.