"See now we can be friends" Akashi siad.
Kai was stricken mute, the horror unfolding before him rendering him speechless. The pain of witnessing Nika's suffering evoked the ghostly agony of past losses—his sister, his mother—each memory a sharp stab reminding him of grief he thought he had buried. In this moment of vulnerability, Akashi seized him, lifting him effortlessly into a chokehold. Their eyes met, Akashi's gaze piercing into Kai's, a silent exchange of wills and intents that spoke louder than any words could.
"Now, let's have fun shall we?" Akashi said as he threw Kai with great force making him break through some trees.
Disoriented and gripped by a paralyzing fear, Kai staggered to his feet. With his mind clouded by panic, he resorted to the only option that seemed viable: he ran. Behind him, Akashi's power manifested into a terrifying spectacle as he summoned hundreds of shadowy figures from the depths of the jungle. They surged forward in a relentless tide, each one intent on capturing Kai.
Kai's thoughts were a jumbled mess, his actions driven by sheer instinct. He lashed out wildly at the encroaching shadows, his attacks fueled by desperation. A few of his strikes found their mark by sheer luck, but most flailed through the air, hitting nothing but the oppressive darkness. He propelled himself forward, pushing his limits, while the haunting images of what had transpired continued to flash through his mind, a relentless reminder of the nightmare unfolding around him.
"Akashi, have fun getting stronger Kai I know that's not your limit" Akashi said before disappearing into thin air.
Emerging from the dense underbrush of the jungle, Kai found himself on the open expanse of the beach. Despite the freedom the open space suggested, the shadows relentlessly pursued him, a dark wave that refused to ebb. Overwhelmed and drained of all hope, Kai collapsed to his knees, surrendering to despair as the shadows loomed closer, ready to claim him. It was at this moment of utter defeat that salvation arrived as abruptly as a meteor from the heavens. A figure landed with formidable force between Kai and the advancing darkness. As the stranger raised his head, a powerful yellowish aura radiated from his being, pulsing with an energy that was both fierce and protective. With a commanding gesture, he sent the aura surging forward, upon contact, the shadows disintegrated.
The man turned around, to look at Kai. It was Suro.
"What happened to you?" Suro asked.
Exhausted beyond measure and overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, Kai's strength finally deserted him. His body gave way, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious, the soft sand of the beach cradling him as he lay motionless. The tumultuous events of the night receded into silence around his still form, leaving only the sound of the gentle waves whispering in the darkness.
Kai's eyes fluttered open to the sight of a ceiling far closer than the vast expanse of sky he remembered. The stiffness of a bunk bed beneath him was unmistakable, its rigid frame a stark contrast to the soft give of the sand he last recalled. Disoriented, he lay there for a moment, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was dimly lit, the source of light obscured, casting everything in soft shadows. It was evident he was no longer in the open air of the beach, but the question of where exactly he was loomed large in his mind, a mystery shrouded in the grogginess of his recent awakening.
"You're finally awake," Suro said in the corner of the room.
"So it wasn't a dream you're really here Suro" Kai said.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Suro said.
"Akashi," Kai said.
Suro's expression darkened into a frown, the implications of Kai's condition weighing heavily on him. He recognized the signature of the shadows that had pursued Kai, an unsettling realization that they were spawned from his own machinations. This acknowledgment cast a pall over the room, a silent testament to the gravity of their situation.
As this heavy atmosphere lingered, the door to the room swung open, and in came the girls. Darya, with a purposefulness that seemed to cut through the tension, made her way straight to Kai. Without a word, she enveloped him in a hug, a gesture of relief and connection that spoke volumes. The other girl paused at the threshold, her gaze lingering on the embracing pair, a mix of emotions flickering across her face—concern, confusion, perhaps a hint of envy—leaving her momentarily adrift in the complexity of their reunion.
"Darya you ok?" Kai asked.
"Yes, I was just worried," Darya said.
Kai sat there, enveloped in the warmth of Darya's embrace, yet his mind was a tumultuous sea, churning with thoughts of the future and the weight of decisions yet made. As he sifted through his options, a flicker of memory surfaced, bringing with it a semblance of clarity. He recalled the meditation skill he had honed, a technique taught to him during a time when the world seemed simpler, less fraught with shadows and danger.
This skill, a beacon in the chaos of his thoughts, promised not just a momentary respite but a potential path forward. It was more than a method for calming the mind; it was a way to access deeper insights, to perhaps uncover a strategy or solution that eluded him in his current state of turmoil. With this realization, Kai felt a subtle shift within him, a steadying of his spirit that fortified his resolve to face whatever lay ahead.
Meditation Technique:
Duration: 10 minutes (300xp/minute)
Note: If the user is in a place with a hot mythic environment the user will receive a bonus and more power.
"I need to level up," Kai said.