Regulus had me bound to dark chains.
As Regulus gloated about his control over the Astral Realm, I focused my energy, channeling the threads of the astral fabric. The dark chains that bound me began to dissipate.
Regulus's arrogance shifted to surprise as I freed myself from his restraint. Nyx smirked, "Looks like you underestimated him."
I pointed at Nyx and skeptically said, "Hey, why are you switching sides now?"
Nyx ignored me. I raised my eyebrows and continued, "I am speaking to you. I bet you can't wait to devour my soul."
Nyx rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "I don't care about your weak soul. I want to get out of this prison you set up for me."
I was about to reply to Nyx when Regulus cut us off. He angrily shouted, "YOU BASTARDS! THE ENEMY IS HERE."
Regulus's enraged proclamation echoed through the Astral Realm; the fabric of reality seemed to shudder. Shadows coalesced into a swirling vortex, and from its depths emerged a monstrous creature—a high-ranking demon.
The demon loomed over us, his eyes glistening with an inconceivable fury and covered in obsidian scales. Regulus smirked and gestured towards me and Nyx, commanding the demon to attack.
I glared at them as I gathered mana in my hand, "Regulus, You have broken the laws of nature by summoning a demon. I must punish you."
The demon lunged at me quickly, its claws slashing through the air. I dodged the initial strike, narrowly avoiding the deadly claws. The sheer force of the demon's attack sent shockwaves through the Astral Realm, disrupting the landscape.
I retaliated, summoning bursts of astral energy to strike back at the demon. However, it effortlessly deflected my attacks, its scales proving impervious to my magical assaults. The battle escalated, the clash of energies creating dazzling displays of light and shadow.
The demon countered with a tail swipe, aiming to knock me off balance. Although I avoided the first strike, the demon's tail left a path of energy similar to bombs. I retaliated with a series of swift astral slashes, each strike leaving streaks of ethereal light in the air.
The demon, undeterred, unleashed a barrage of astral projectiles. I deftly maneuvered through the onslaught, the projectiles grazing my astral form. As the missiles closed in, I conjured a protective barrier, the collision of energies producing bursts of astral radiance.
The battleground became a swirling dance of astral forces as I sought openings to exploit. The demon, however, exhibited uncanny agility, evading my attacks with fluid movements. Its claws gleamed with an ominous astral glow as it lunged again, forcing me into a defensive stance.
To restrain the demon's motions, I called forth dark chains. The chains snaked through the Astral Realm, entwining around the creature. Yet, the demon roared, channeling astral energy to shatter the ethereal bindings.
The battle raged on. Fatigue began to seep into my astral form, the constant strain taking its toll. The demon seized the opportunity, launching a devastating astral beam that tore through my defenses.
As I staggered, pain coursing through my astral form, the demon, sensing its advantage, prepared for a final strike. The impending blow was halted abruptly as the demon froze in place, suspended in a momentary stasis.
Confused by the frozen demon, I looked around to find Nyx standing before me. The glow of her form radiated with an otherworldly intensity. She spoke with a voice that echoed through the Astral Realm, "Let's form a contract."
I regarded her warily, still recovering from the recent battle. "A contract? What do you mean?"
Nyx's eyes gleamed with an enigmatic light. "I can enhance your astral abilities, lend you my strength, and in return, you provide me with the freedom I seek. A mutually beneficial arrangement."
I hesitated, memories of Nyx's previous betrayal fresh in my mind. "Why should I trust you? You've shown nothing but disdain for my existence."
Nyx smirked, "Magnus, I am bound by the rules in this realm. A contract binds me as much as it binds you. Betraying you would only lead to my demise."
I weighed the risks and benefits and realized an alliance with Nyx might offer a significant advantage in the unpredictable Astral Realm. "What are the terms of this contract?"
Nyx extended her hand, and a shimmering astral script materialized, outlining the terms. "You pledge to grant me moments of freedom in the Mortal Realm periodically. In return, I shall amplify your astral abilities, provide insights into the Astral Realm, and protect you from certain threats."
I studied the astral script, recognizing the binding nature of the contract. "No trickery? No hidden clauses?"
Nyx chuckled, "Despite my cunningness, I have to abide by the terms of the agreement. There are no hidden clauses. Our fates will be intertwined."
Nyx took a moment to look at me before I reached out and put my hand in hers. The contract hardened as our astral forms met, and a burst of new energy shot through me.
I could find two runes in my hand - a binding rune from Alina and the contract between me and Nyx.
I curiously asked, "So, what is your power?"
She responded, "I am the Mistress of Shadows. My power lies in manipulation, mind control, and mind reading using astral energies."
I examined the runes on my hand, each representing a different aspect of the magical bonds I had formed. "Manipulation, mind control and mind reading. That's quite a skill set. How did you even obtain them?"
Nyx sadly said as she clenched her fingers, "When I was a human, I was sensitive to vibrations. I could also sense brain waves; if I decoded these brain waves, I could read people's minds. So, my power relies on brain waves and you must master the art of sensing."
I clapped my hands, "Thanks for the tip, Nyx. And You were a human!?"
Nyx genuinely smiled for the first time, "Yes, but that was a long time back. I will save this story for the next time. Any more doubts?"
I raised my hand, "Yes. How does our partnership enhance our abilities?"
Nyx gestured, and a shadowy wisp formed around my hand. "Our partnership allows me to amplify your magical prowess. You'll find your astral spells more potent, your connection to the Astral Realm heightened, and insights into its secrets revealed. In return, you grant me moments of freedom in the Mortal Realm, where I can experience the world in ways I cannot within the confines of this realm."
I nodded, absorbing the information. "Fair enough. Just one thing—no surprises, alright?"
Nyx grinned, her expression cryptic. "Oh, Magnus, surprises are what make life interesting."
The demon suddenly unfroze and unleashed a series of disoriented attacks. However, with Nyx's abilities, I was ready to face the onslaught.
I tapped into Nyx's power, weaving shadows around me to create illusions that confused the demon. The battlefield was on fire, and I seized the opportunity to strike back.
Nyx's ability to read minds allowed me to detect the demon's brain waves and anticipate its next move. I could easily dodge and counter its attack. The demon, now frustrated by its inability to land a decisive blow, roared angrily.
Drawing upon Nyx's manipulation skills, I amplified the intensity of the astral energy around me. The shadows coalesced into tendrils that ensnared the demon, restricting its movements. I threw the demon across the astral plane with a blast of astral force.
The demon, momentarily subdued, struggled to regain its composure. I pressed the advantage, using Nyx's mind control to impose a momentary paralysis on the demon. It froze in place, vulnerable to my next move.
In a final surge of power, I conjured a barrage of astral projectiles, bombarding the immobilized demon. The onslaught overwhelmed the creature, and with a roar, it dissipated into astral wisps.
As the echoes of the battle subsided, I took a moment to catch my breath. Nyx's powers had proven invaluable, and our partnership had turned the tide in our favor.
My soul was exhausted from the battle. I had some scars on the body of my astral form. I wondered, If my soul is hurt, will my body be hurt too?
"Yes," said Nyx as she appeared before me.
I examined my astral form, noting the scars that adorned it. "You read my mind, wait. Okay, never mind, but how does this impact my body?"
Nyx replied, "The connection between your soul and physical body is delicate. While your astral form can sustain injuries without affecting your body immediately, severe damage could have repercussions."
I winced at the thought but focused on the immediate concern. "Anyways, where is Regulus now?"
Nyx's eyes gleamed with a calculating glint, "I sensed his energy signature heading towards a realm where the fabric of reality is thin. A place that bridges the Astral Realm and the Mortal Realm."
I raised an eyebrow, "A realm between realms? A place like that exists!? What's he planning there?"
Nyx shrugged, "It could be a relic protector realm or a trap. Maybe even both. Regulus is unpredictable. We should proceed cautiously."
I agreed, "Alright, lead the way."