The night Caelum was captured remained vivid in his memory, each detail painstakingly etched into his mind's eye. Before this merged existence, before the joining of memories and two souls, he was but a humble farmer boy in a small village nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. Every child in the village, Caelum included, dreamed of one day awakening a class and ascending beyond their mundane lives. But the reality was stark – awakening was a privilege few could afford.
The village head, an aging man with silver streaks through his thick beard, had taken it upon himself to train the youngsters. Caelum remembered the determined gleam in the old man's eyes as he taught them the ways of the Blade Adept, Pike Initiate, and Bow Novice. There was always hope, a flickering flame, that one or two out of a hundred might awaken and bring pride to the village. Still, that hope was always on the distant horizon for Caelum, who, despite his relentless efforts, found himself among the many who never awakened.
Most nights, after exhausting training sessions, Caelum would lay on the grassy fields, staring up at the vast expanse of twinkling stars, wondering if there was more to his life than this. His friends, too, harbored the same dreams and the same fears – the weight of their aspirations mixed with the haunting possibility of never realizing them.
One fateful evening, their village was besieged by bandits. Dressed in ragged cloaks and brandishing wicked blades, they descended upon them like a swarm of locusts. Their classes – Dagger Adept and Thieves – were evident in their agile movements, their uncanny ability to disappear into the shadows only to reappear with lethal intent. Even the village guards, some of whom had managed to awaken as Blade Adepts, stood little chance against the overwhelming numbers and skill of the bandits. The stationed Kingdom guards, who the villagers believed would protect them, were swiftly overpowered.
The memory brought a bitter taste to Caelum's mouth. He remembered the screams, the sounds of homes burning, and the helpless feeling of watching his village – his home – being reduced to ashes and despair. It was during this chaos that he chased after his sister was captured, perhaps due to the bandits seeing some worth in a young, strong farmer boy and spared his life. But what fate awaited him was still uncertain.
Now, as he sat in the dimly lit cell, Caelum's thoughts raced. The cold, calculating aspect of Eclipse contrasted sharply with the emotional rawness of the young farmer. He felt an internal battle, a tugging between the urge to lash out, to exact revenge, and the knowledge of his current limitations. The system might have allowed him to awaken as a Novice Gunslinger, but he was well aware that he still stood no chance against the seasoned bandits.
His focus was broken by the soft sound of footsteps. The slow, shuffling gait of the guards grew louder, and Caelum quickly devised a plan. Silently, he slid the shackles onto his wrists and ankles, careful not to lock them. Laying down, he positioned himself in such a way that he would appear lifeless, hoping to use this ruse to buy himself some time and possibly gain an advantage.
Outside, the guards chatted in hushed tones. "Do you think this one's worth anything?" one mused, his voice gruff.
"Doesn't matter. We follow orders," replied the other, sounding bored.
Caelum could feel his heart pounding, each beat echoing his hope and fear. He needed to act, to seize the moment. But for now, patience was his ally. As the guards grew closer, the world of the cell dimmed, and Caelum's mind became a sea of calm.
As the guards dropped the heavy thing, cursing under their breaths, they left without giving Caelum a second glance. The moment they were gone, Caelum quickly got up and inspected the dropped item. His eyes widened as he realized it was a cage, made from something that looked like metal but wasn't. On closer inspection, he identified it as Steel Bamboo, a rare and incredibly strong material.
Inside the cage was a creature, barely clinging to life. Its body, which must have once been graceful and strong, was now frail and weakened. The creature's fur was a pale shade of its former self, clinging to its frame and highlighting its emaciated state. Here and there, patches of fur were missing entirely. Its eyes, which must have once glowed like bright embers, were now dull and lifeless.
Caelum stared at the creature, trying to recognize its species. But no memory from his past surfaced to give him a clear answer. Maybe it was the emaciated state the creature was in or perhaps he had never encountered such a being in this world.
His heart wrenched seeing the creature's plight. He had the idea to end its suffering, mercy being the only gift he could bestow upon such a forlorn being. However, as his hand reached out, a sudden movement caught his eye. The creature's belly moved slightly, indicating life inside. He leaned closer and realized with a start that it was pregnant. The realization gave him pause, and he looked up to see the creature's weary eyes fixed on him, pleadingly.
"You want me to save your cub?" Caelum asked. Though weak, the creature's eyes shone with a spark of hope, her gaze speaking more than words ever could. He sighed, the weight of the responsibility heavy on his shoulders. This wasn't part of his plan, but he could not turn away now.
Caelum bent down, intending to inspect the creature's condition more closely. As his intent solidified, suddenly, glowing words floated before his eyes. The Gunslinger System's ability, 'Observe', activated, giving him a clear picture of what he was dealing with.
[Name: Umbrawolf
Type: Magical Beast
Abilities:
Meld into Shadows: The Umbrawolf possesses the unique ability to meld into shadows, becoming practically invisible to the naked eye. This ability is not only a defensive mechanism but also serves as a means of hunting and navigation.
Silent Howl: Contrary to typical wolf behavior, the Umbrawolf's howl is completely silent to all but those it chooses to communicate with. This silent howl can convey emotions and even simple messages, creating a subtle form of communication.
Arcane Affinity: The creature has a natural affinity for magic, able to sense magical auras and energies in its vicinity. This ability allows it to navigate magical terrains with ease and detect magical traps or hidden threats.
Mystic Fangs: The Umbrawolf's fangs are imbued with a magical essence, capable of leaving marks on its prey that can act as tracking beacons, visible only under the light of the moon or to those attuned to magic.]
The newfound knowledge made Caelum reassess the situation. An Umbrawolf, a creature of shadows and magic. He recalled tales of such creatures, known for their elusive nature and the potent arcane energy they possessed. Their abilities were a testament to their adaptability and survival instincts.
Caelum reached into his pocket, retrieving the small, intricate hairpin — the last memento of his deceased sister. Her death was still a fresh wound in his heart, and the sight of her lifeless body in the same prison only deepened the pain. But now, there was no time for grief. The creature in front of him, a pregnant Umbrawolf, was on the brink of death, and her unborn pup's life hung in the balance.
His fingers worked deftly, using the hairpin to pick the lock of the cage. It was a delicate process, requiring precision and patience, but eventually, the lock clicked open. Caelum's face remained impassive, but his actions spoke of his determination to help the creature.
As the cage door swung open, he carefully examined the Umbrawolf. Her fur was matted, and her ribs were visible under her skin. She was emaciated, completely drained of energy, and Caelum could tell she was too weak to eat, even if there was food available. And there was no question of feeding her his sister's body. Despite his cold and calculative nature, Caelum could not bring himself to desecrate his sister's remains in such a way.
He knew he had to act quickly. "I need to cut you open and take your pup prematurely. Otherwise, your body will kill it," he spoke in a low, steady voice, his gaze never leaving the Umbrawolf's eyes.
Her eyes, filled with a mix of pain and trust, met his. She understood the gravity of the situation, and in her gaze, Caelum saw a silent plea for help. He could see the creature's innate strength, her will to survive, and her desire to save her unborn pup.
Caelum swiftly swept through the prison, his movements precise and quiet, embodying the stealth he had honed in his previous life. He rummaged through various crates, his eyes scanning the dark interior until they landed on a broken sword, lying neglected in the corner. Without hesitation, he picked it up, weighing it in his hand, feeling the balance. It wasn't perfect, but it would do the job.
He returned to the Umbrawolf, his expression impassive, yet his eyes carrying a glint of determination. "This will hurt, but you must be alive until the pup is delivered. Try to hold on. Then I will end your suffering. Got it?" he instructed, his voice low and steady, devoid of any unnecessary emotions. The Umbrawolf, understanding the gravity of the situation, gave a weak nod, or at least the closest thing to it.
Caelum's gaze never wavered as he prepared himself for what was to come. He took a deep breath, centering himself, his every movement deliberate. He placed the sword at her belly, his hand steady, his eyes calculating. The blade pierced through the fur and flesh, a clean incision made with precision.
The Umbrawolf's body twitched in pain, a low whimper escaping her, but she held on, her eyes locked with Caelum's. He could see the pain, the trust, and the silent plea for help in her gaze. He worked quickly, his movements efficient, his focus unwavering. He was no stranger to performing under pressure, his previous life as an operative having prepared him for moments like these.
As he made the incision deeper, he could feel the life inside the Umbrawolf's belly, a tiny heartbeat against his blade. His heart, usually cold and unfeeling, felt a twinge of something. Perhaps it was empathy, or maybe it was the realization of the fragility of life. But there was no time to ponder on these feelings. He needed to focus.
Finally, he reached in, his hands finding the small, fragile form of the unborn Umbrawolf. With utmost care, he lifted the pup out of its mother's womb, his eyes softening as he saw the tiny creature, weak but alive. The mother's eyes were on him, filled with pain, but also gratitude.
Caelum carefully placed the pup beside its mother, his eyes meeting hers. "You did well," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He could see the relief in her eyes, the knowledge that her pup was safe, even if she was not going to make it.
His gaze hardened as he looked at her, the weight of his next decision heavy on his shoulders. He had promised to end her suffering, and he was a man of his word. His hand gripped the sword, lifting it high, ready to deliver the final blow.
But just as he was about to strike, he hesitated. His eyes met the Umbrawolf's one last time, and in that moment, he saw something. A silent thank you, a final farewell. He nodded, acknowledging her, before swiftly bringing down the sword, ending her suffering once and for all.
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft whimpers of the newborn Umbrawolf. Caelum stood there, his expression unchanged.