He entered the portal and all of a sudden found himself in a forest. From afar, he heard the sound of a waterfall and the chirping of birds. He really was back. All of a sudden he heard screams from the distance, which he went straight after. Seeing the long ears and bright faces he realized that he landed in the territory of the elves. A group of them was attacked by a large crocodile-like monster, similar to the one he saw on his first expedition. The power flowed through him. Unconsciously, without further hesitation, he smirked and charged directly at the monster annihilating it.
After saving the group, he was about to ask them some questions when they suddenly started screaming as they ran away from him. Leo was wondering about their behavior, are they afraid of humans? He had no choice but to go out and explore on his own. Time went by normally again, day and night were back. Even so he didn't know how much time exactly went by which made him nervous. He enjoyed the ordinary life, yet his transformation meant that he no longer needed to sleep. Finally, one day, he came across a small town. As Leo looked closer he realized that it was not a town but a practice ground. Something was different, the was a lot of screaming. They weren't war sounds but full of agony.
"I guess this doesn't seem like much of a training ground."
The closer he got the more clearly he saw exactly what was going on. It was a torture camp, elves were tormenting their own race, at least what used to be their race. He recalled that the dark elves were seen as enemies of the elves since a long time ago. Seeing that they made no exception of men, women and children he felt anger.
"That's the way Leo, let your hatred guide you, demonstrate what you have learned."
He remembered back to the time when he exterminated the entire race of mutants and what emotions surged through him. Using only a part of his hatred, Leo didn't want to become the ferocious beast like back then. Just like that, he wandered in and drew his shadow sword.
"What is a human doing around here, you have no right to be in this place. Turn back right now if you don't want to die."
Leo looked at the faces of the tortured victims, he saw the hopelessness, a lot of them had given up a long time ago.
"I have one question: for what reason do you torture these people?"
" It's simple: because their existence is a disgrace."
Leo remembered that once, a very long time ago, he had been called that, too. Before him he saw a part of his past. Totally calm, he glanced at his sword and then into the eyes of the elf soldier.
"Wrong answer."
Following these words, Leo gave free rein to his desire for blood, yet only to the extent that he was still able to see clearly. On the faces of the liberated, he noticed that some of them took on a fighting spirit, especially one of the women. He tossed her a sword.
"What are you waiting for? Lend me a hand. "
Following their rescuer's command, they fought alongside him although Leo slaughtered most of the enemies. The young man made no exceptions, slaying the elves in a matter of seconds without flinching. Once the camp was rid of enemies, he tried to wipe off the blood from his body. However, his equipment did the job by itself and soaked it up. Another effect of his new powers.
"Thank you for your help, to whom do I owe our freedom?"
For a moment, Leo hesitated to give her his name. Being in elven territory, far away from humans, he felt it was okay to reveal his name.
"Leo it is, it is my honor."
Afterwards, the other dark elves expressed their gratitude to him as well. He made it clear to them that he would be going alone before they got the wrong idea. The dark elves were expecting that the young human would say something like that. Because of him they had gained new courage and so they retreated and stayed hidden in the forest for the time being. As he was about to continue his journey, the young man asked the woman for directions to the border. As he was about to thank her, she asked him a big favor.
"If you go further north from here is another one of those camps, even in that place our innocent people are forced to death. We have been hunted and imprisoned for years, constantly on the run with no place to call home. I know my daughter is one of these victims, please save her and the other dark elves from this torture. She always sacrificed everything for our family until she too was put in chains in the end. I know I have nothing to give you except my deepest gratitude, but I beg you, please save her."
Leo saw the desperation and tears in her eyes. Once again, memories from his past popped into his head. So he decided to help her. The woman was so relieved; now she had complete faith in him.
"I pray for your success. As soon as we have regrouped we will try to raid the rest of the camps in the south therefore I have a second small request: When she asks about me, tell her I'm fine but nothing more. I don't want her to go the same path as me. Hand her this talisman, she'll know what to make of it."
After a moment's hesitation, he also agreed to this request.
("Your good nature will soon lead you to death if you continue like this.")
("I just don't want to lose myself.")
After Leo's words, the voice faded away and he found himself alone again. Just as the woman had suspected, he actually encountered a second camp. He scouted the area when he saw her daughter in a trench. Her eyes were glowing green-yellow. At first glance, Leo got lost in the eyes as :they were similar to Gallian's, yet slightly different.
("I can' believe it, your empathy is starting to disgust me. Just get it over with already.")
Once again, he wiped out one soldier after another. Then he passed the dark elf.
"Are you Lynia?"
"How do you know my name?"
"Doesn't matter right now. I can figure out what you want by the look on your face. Go on, then, take your revenge."
He showed her the weapons and led the way. An onslaught of elves rushed at him, Leo was getting ready to attack when an arrow flew right past him directly between the eyes of a soldier.
"Better not get in the way."
The young woman was very talented in combat, Leo had to acknowledge this as well. In fact, he enjoyed fighting together with a strong partner. It didn't take long until the camp was cleared of all enemies. Once they freed the other dark elves Leo wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"So tell me, how do you know my name?"
"Because of this."
The woman took the talisman and examined it more closely. When she realized who it belonged to, her eyes widened.
"Well then, goodbye."
"Hey, that's not the end of it! Where is she and what does she plan to do?"
"I don't know, and I don't care. I was supposed to give you this, there' s nothing more I can do."
The woman saw that Leo was lying and aimed a bow at him.
" Now I suppose you can do something after all. I can spot a lie right away!"
"Listen lady, I have neither the time nor the desire to stay here a second longer. She's fine and that's that, that's all I know."
("Now you've got more troubles, have fun getting rid of her. She's far from being a beginner and there's no race better at tracking than dark elves. So what do you want to do now?")
"I'm not going to put the weapon down until I get my answers."
"What weapon are you talking about?"
Suddenly, her bow turned black and broke into pieces. A black smoke began to form in front of her.
("When did you learn to do that?")
("When hunting monsters. It's much easier to kill them when their vision is obstructed. I was able to manage it on the creatures using my weapon, so it should work with other weapons as well, except they can' t withstand the amount of magic thus being uncontrollable. It worked perfectly, the smoke will stick to her for some time.")
("Strange method of but entertaining. I'm looking forward for more tricks up your sleeve.")
"HEY, I'm not done with you. Mark my words: I will find you no matter where you are."
"Good luck with that Miss."
Leo managed to continue his journey through the forest in order to avoid attracting attention. The road to the border got exhausting, it all felt so slow even though they were actually moving quickly. Due to his lost sense of time, Leo soon started to lose his patience.
One night the voice suddenly spoke to him in a tense way.
("I sense they've concealed a small toy around here. Let's take a detour, it will be worth it for you. Soon, if all goes well, you will be able to use even greater amounts of magic, so do your best. Go directly south, we should reach a large cave soon.")
Leo followed his command until he saw a mountain in the distance.
"How much further is it?"
("Are you blind? We're here, just keep going forward.")
" Where do you think is a cave around here? Have you lost your mind?"
("I am part of your mind, you idiot. Can't you see the entrance? Take a closer look.")
As Leo observed more closely, he noticed that the mountain wall was only an illusion. As he got closer, it became more apparent. A couple of meters from the wall, he slowly felt pain, growing with each step. Leo felt that there must be a Krystal behind the wall.
("Just as I thought, they haven't been all that foolish. Nevertheless, it's not nearly enough to last. After all, they never saw the full extent of things hahaha.")
"Who are you talking about?"
("Stop asking questions! Try to keep focused, you know how it works.")
Leo closed his eyes, ahead of him he saw not a flame but a glaring ball of light.
(" She even took part in this. Tsk, as always a show-off. I know It sounds strange, but you have to let me take control of your body for a moment.")
"What do you mean?! I thought you can only create illusions."
("Of course I can do much more than that. But it is difficult for me not to overstrain your body. If I use too much magic, you will be broken. That's why it's important for you to stay calm and endure it.")
"What do you mean- Argh."
Again Leo felt hellish pain, it felt like he was drowning.
("Ha, I guess I won this time. Such a dull enigma.")
All of a sudden, Leo was back in his body. He saw that the light sphere started to develop black fissures and shattered. Suddenly the wall disappeared and the cave entrance was visible. It wasn't very spacious, there was a box standing against one of the walls, which was encased by a magic lock. Leo got closer till he eventually faced the lock. He peered at the green haze that floated back and forth.
("This is supposed to be safe? Pitiful.")
Without Leo having to do anything, the seal suddenly broke and the box opened. Inside was a large sword with lots of inscriptions on it and it looked very old.
("So they just kept it lying here for all these centuries, what a waste! But all the better for us, it will be a great help. Take the sword and try to inject magic like you created your shadow weapon.")
He stretched out his arm, the sword took on a black color while the runes glowed. It began to burn orange until the flame turned black. Leo felt his strength increase. All of a sudden he had an idea, concentrating and whispering a few words. Only a few seconds later, the sword became heavier and he was barely able to hold it. Then he heard a loud hissing sound until the sword was lighter again.
("I am quite impressed, you seem to have taken a liking to her. Though it is a waste to give him a home, at least it's something new to me.")
"A stronger bond will never be a waste. She will be of great help to me."
After that, they left the cave and set out again. The next few days went by very quickly, they came closer and closer to the border until Leo's sword suddenly called him. It pointed in a completely different direction but Leo let himself be guided by the weapon. From far away he heard loud growling, and suddenly one of the runes lit up brightly.
("Don't tell me Gallian is a part of them too...my knowledge is more limited than I thought.")
At a clearing, he saw a giant wolf fighting one of the crocodile-like monsters. This creature, however, was far bigger than any specimen he had ever seen before. Leo saw that the wolf was about to lose, so in the last moment he intervened and saved the giant animal. Rather than remain calm, the wolf immediately went into attack position to attack its savior. As the animal looked at the sword and into the boy's face, it calmed down. Neither of them could understand each other, but they were not hostile to each other anymore. The more the boy was talking, the more comfortable the wolf felt.
("Leo, this is not a natural giant wolf, he originates from a different era. It seems that Gallian knows him, and he doesn't seem too averse to you either. Just for once, your attitude is an advantage. In case you really want to enter into a pact with him, you'll need some of his blood. Drop it on the blade and repeat after me. I guess the ritual hasn't changed in all this time.")
Leo wasn't sure if he really desired to form a bond with the beast but ultimately he accepted the ritual. The wolf remained calm as the boy cut into his shoulder and gathered the blood on the blade. After speaking the words, both Leo and the creature felt each other's memories for a moment. Neither could make out what was happening, but both knew they had their own purposes which they would work together on.
("Try him out, see if Gallian was right.")
Leo fused the shadow magic into the sword, causing the wolf to howl, his fur to catch fire, and his reflection to resemble a shadow.
("It appears that you got a new companion. Be careful not to lose yourself.")
"From now on, I'll call you Metsu."
("What kind of name is that? Are you dumb?")
"In a certain language, it means something like to destroy. And looking at him like that he can destroy plenty of opponents."
("...still sounds strange...")
From that moment on, Metsu accompanied him everywhere. Leo knew that the wolf had a target, however, not what exactly. For the time being he didn't worry about it since the world was about to change.
One day Leo sat at a campfire when he suddenly started to have severe headaches.
" Argh. What's the matter? What happened?"
("Kuhaha, I see I'm not the only one who regained his freedom. That's even better. You freed somebody who will help you soon enough. You want to see your old comrades again, don't you? Now is your chance, but I must take over again. In case I am successful I will be gone for a while, my energy is almost depleted so you will have to find someone else to talk to.")
"A little silence wouldn't hurt either- Argh."
This time Leo didn't even feel one part of his body. He heard loud hissing and growling, he wasn't the only one in pain. He saw the black flame inside him lighting up and then dissapearing again.
(" That was the last time I was able to take over your body. Starting now, you're on your own, don't you dare to die, that would be the end of my entertainment. Whatever you do, Leo, in the end you will unfortunately fail: this is my second warning. Think carefully about the path you will follow from now on. Entertain me and get away from this boring world. A great performance awaits you hahaha.")
Then the voice disappeared, he was in full control of his body again. He felt even more fresh and lighter, as if a chain broke off inside him. A black portal had stretched out in front of him, summoning his presence. He commanded Metsu to stay back, the animal roared loudly but seemed to obey his command. This was solely his moment to enjoy his new fate. All the time he was powerless, the he got tortured with training, all the desperation and sorrow he felt, all the weight he carried in his life...it was about time to let loose of everything.