The courtyard was bathed in a soft, serene atmosphere, the ancient trees surrounding the castle standing guard over the silence. Seven's body was a blur of motion, his limbs twisting and contorting in impossible ways as he tempered his flesh and spirit. His eyes were closed, his face tilted upwards, as if seeking guidance from the heavens.
A faint, gentle glow began to emanate from his body, a soft blue light that pulsed with a subtle energy. The light was barely perceptible, a whisper of potential yet to be unleashed. The phenomenon lasted only a few fleeting seconds, and then the light vanished, leaving behind a lingering sense of wonder.
Vorx, approached the courtyard with a quiet step, his eyes scanning the area before settling on Seven's form. "Ah, young master," he said, his voice low and respectful. "I have prepared a bath for you, as I thought you might appreciate it after your long journey."
But as he drew closer, he noticed that Seven's body was still moving in a fluid, unconscious motion. Vorx nodded to himself, unsurprised by the sight. He had heard rumors of Seven's exceptional talent for comprehension, and it seemed that the young demon was indeed deep in thought.
Vorx called out to three guards who were stationed nearby, "Guards! Come and watch over the young master. He is in a state of enlightenment and must not be disturbed."
The guards nodded and took up positions around Seven's body, their eyes fixed on him with a mixture of curiosity and respect. Vorx nodded in satisfaction and retreated to the castle, leaving Seven to his tempering.
The guards stood watch in silence, their eyes fixed on Seven's form as he continued to temper himself, his body motionless and serene. The courtyard was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of energy emanating from Seven's body.
Three days passed, and Seven's body continued to move in a fluid, unconscious motion, his mind deep in the tempering process. The guards had been rotated several times, but they all maintained their vigilance, ensuring that the young demon was not disturbed.
Vorx checked in on Seven regularly, bringing food and water that remained untouched.
As the sun set on the third day, Seven's movements slowed, and he finally came to a stop. His eyes opened, and a faint glimmer of rainbow color flickered in their depths.
Seven's voice was weak but clear, "Vorx...?"
Suddenly, the air seemed to ripple and distort, and Vorx appeared before Seven in a flash of dark smoke, his eyes gleaming with a fierce inner light. "Ah, young master," he said, his voice low and mysterious. "I see you have finally emerged from your enlightenment. Well done."
Seven's eyes widened slightly as Vorx approached him, his form seemingly shifting and blurring like a living shadow. "Your bath is ready, young master," Vorx said, his voice low and smooth. "And some refreshments, to celebrate your newfound power."
As Vorx spoke, his body seemed to blend with the darkness around him, becoming all but invisible before reappearing in a flash of movement. Seven watched, fascinated by the display.
"That was incredible!" Seven exclaimed. "What technique was that?"
Vorx smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride. "That, young master, is Shadowstride - a bloodline ability of the Nightmare Clan. We can move through shadows, darkness, and even the dreams of others with unparalleled speed and stealth. We can traverse the realms of the subconscious, striking fear into the hearts of our enemies and manipulating the very fabric of their nightmares."
Seven's eyes sparkled with interest. "I want to learn it!"
Vorx chuckled. "All in due time, young master. Shadowstride is a technique reserved for true Demon Grandmasters. But don't worry, when you reach that level, I'll be happy to teach it to you."
Seven nodded eagerly, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "I can't wait to master it."
But as he spoke, a sudden realization hit him like a cold splash of water. He wasn't a Nightmare demon. He was a Shapeshifter, and Shadowstride was a bloodline ability of the Nightmare Clan, not his own.
Seven's enthusiasm faltered, and he opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew his father had reasons for hiding his true bloodline from Vorx, and he trusted those reasons. He wouldn't reveal the secret, not even to Vorx, whom he trusted deeply.
Vorx's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Seven, his expression unreadable. He had sensed the young demon's hesitation, the fleeting moment of uncertainty before he had masked it with a neutral expression.
But Vorx didn't press the issue. He knew Seven well enough to understand that he would share information if it was something he deemed necessary. Vorx's role was to guide and support, not to pry or manipulate.
So he simply nodded, his eyes never leaving Seven's face. "Very well, young master. I will leave you to your thoughts. Remember, my door is always open if you need counsel or guidance."
With that, Vorx turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Seven to his contemplation. The silence was palpable, heavy with unspoken understanding. Seven knew that Vorx had sensed his hesitation, but he also knew that the butler would respect his secrets. For now, that was enough.
Seven walked across the courtyard, his rainbow-colored eyes gleaming in the dim light. His black hair fell messy around his face. He saw a group of maids gathered near the castle entrance, their dark forms blending into the shadows. One of them curtsied low. "Good day, young master!"
Seven nodded. "Good day," he replied.
Another maid asked, "How are you today, young master?"
Seven smiled faintly. "I'm well, thank you," he said.
As he continued his walk, he saw two guards standing nearby, their wings folded against their backs. Their eyes gleamed in the dim light, their claws extended as they nodded at Seven. "Good day, young master," they said in unison.
Seven nodded. "Good day," he replied.
He walked towards the hall, his footsteps echoing off the stone floor. As he entered the hall, he decided to head to the garden, to tend to his father's plants.
He entered the garden, his eyes fixed on the various flora before him. "Widow's Tear, Night Petal, Nether Root, Shadow's Embrace," he murmured to himself, his mind recalling the properties of each plant as he worked.
Vorx, who had been watching from a distance, approached Seven, his eyes fixed on the young master. "Young master, do you need anything?" he asked, his deep voice low and steady.
Seven looked up, smiling. "No, Vorx. I'm just tending to my father's plants. But thank you for asking."
Vorx nodded, his gaze lingering on the plants. "Your father's garden is impressive, young master."
Seven's face lit up with joy. "Vorx, you think my father's garden is impressive? Wait until you see mine!" He gestured excitedly, leading Vorx towards a small, hidden corner of the garden.
"Here, I have my own little garden," Seven said proudly, revealing a small collection of low-tier demon plants and herbs. "I've been tending to them myself, trying to learn more about their properties and uses."
Vorx's expression softened, a hint of a smile on his face. "Young master, this is impressive indeed. You have a true talent for gardening."
Vorx watched Seven tend to his plants with dedication and passion, his eyes shining with excitement. After a few hours had passed, Vorx cleared his throat to get Seven's attention.
"Young master, you've done enough for today. Come, it's time to eat."
Seven looked up, his face flushed from the soft purple glow of the twin moons and his hair disheveled. "Actually, Vorx, I think I'll skip dinner for now. I want to get in some training. Father's not returning for another three days, and I need to make sure I'm ready for our tempering session."
Vorx nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Very well, young master. I'll make sure to have some food ready for you when you're finished. Don't push yourself too hard, though. You want to be at your best for Lord Kael's return."
After Vorx left, Seven made his way to the ancient mural, his mind still focused on his training. He stood before the intricate painting, his eyes scanning the symbols and patterns. He was about to start comprehending it again, trying to decipher the secrets hidden within, when suddenly...
Mist began to rise from the ground, swirling around his feet. The air grew thick with an otherworldly fog, and Seven's heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. But as the mist grew thicker, Seven's eyes began to burn and his throat constricted. He realized, too late, that the mist was not a natural occurrence - it was a poison, designed to incapacitate and disorient.
Seven's vision blurred and his legs gave out beneath him. He collapsed to the ground, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend who would attack him in such a way. The mist seemed to seep into every pore, choking the life out of him.
As he lay there, helpless and gasping for air, a figure emerged from the mist. Its features were indistinct, shrouded in a veil of mist that seemed to shift and writhe like a living thing. The figure drew closer, its presence suffocating, and Seven felt a cold, misty breath on the back of his neck. A hand, barely visible through the mist, reached out to claim him...
As the misty figure's hand reached out to claim Seven, a voice boomed through the hallway, echoing off the stone walls. "Protect the young master!" Vorx commanded the guards, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
The misty figure suddenly turned and fled, its misty form blurring as it vanished into the fog. Vorx took off in a sprint, chasing after it. "Damn misty pest!" he muttered under his breath, his voice fading into the distance as he disappeared into the fog.
Without hesitation, the guards formed a tight circle around Seven, their weapons at the ready. Seven watched in awe as Vorx vanished into the mist, leaving him surrounded by the guards. "What...what just happened?" he stammered, still trying to process the sudden turn of events.
Seven stood there, still trying to process what had just happened, as the guards surrounded him with a protective barrier. Suddenly, Vorx reappeared, his face set in a determined expression.
"The mist demon escaped," he announced, his voice firm. "Those misty pests are the best at running away, cowards. But I'll not rest until I've hunted it down and made it pay for its treachery."
Seven's eyes widened as he took in Vorx's words. "A mist demon?" he repeated, his mind racing with questions. "What is that? And why did it attack me?"
Vorx's expression turned grim. "A mist demon is a powerful entity, young master, of the same tier as we nightmare demons. But instead of manipulating dreams, they wield mist and fog as weapons. They are formidable foes, and this one will not stop until it has claimed your life. But do not worry, I will not let that happen. You are under my protection now."
Seven nodded, still processing the information. He had many questions, but he decided to keep them to himself for now. "I...I think I need to rest," he said finally. "May I return to my chambers?"
Vorx nodded. "Of course, young master. I will guard you myself. You will be safe." He gestured to the guards, who parted to let Seven through. As Seven walked towards his chambers, Vorx followed close behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Seven could feel his gaze, protective and watchful, and despite his lingering questions, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. He knew he was in good hands with Vorx.
As they reached the chambers, Vorx positioned himself outside the door, his back against the wall. "Rest well, young master," he said, his voice low and steady. Seven nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Vorx. As he entered his chambers, Vorx's gaze lingered on the closing door, his expression softening.
In that moment, a realization struck him like a blow. He had been so focused on his duties as a butler and protector that he had neglected the young master's need for companionship and connection. Seven had grown up before his eyes, and yet, he had done little to truly be a part of his life.
Vorx's eyes dropped, his jaw clenched in a silent oath. From now on, things would be different. He would be more than just a guardian and butler; he would be a mentor, a friend, and a presence in Seven's life.
With a newfound determination, Vorx stood watch, his eyes fixed on the door, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, not just as a protector, but as a companion to the young master he had sworn to serve.