Chapter 20: Unleashing the Void
The air around Argus crackled with raw energy as the void surged forward, dark tendrils spiraling out from him like a living force of its own. The shadows seemed to bend and warp in its presence, the ground beneath him trembling as the power he had kept contained for so long finally found release.
The tendrils of the void were not like normal energy. They were darker than shadows, swirling and twisting like smoke but with a weight and presence that made the very air feel thicker. Each tendril seemed alive, pulsing with a slow rhythm, as though it were a creature testing its newfound freedom. The space around Argus felt different—distorted, like reality itself was bending to the presence of the void.
Argus felt it too. His body hummed with the strange sensation of having unleashed something both familiar and foreign. The power was a part of him, but it was also something separate—something infinite, a force that extended beyond the boundaries of his own existence. His heart raced, not from fear, but from the exhilaration of finally letting it go.
The void moved without his direct command now. He didn't guide it—it was as though the void had its own will, flowing around him as it pleased. Yet, there was an odd harmony in the chaos, a connection he had not fully grasped before.
Suzume stood nearby, observing with keen interest. The sheer volume of void energy surrounding Argus was impressive, more than what she'd expected from someone so young.
She slowly circled him, keeping her distance from the erratic tendrils. "Looks like you've been holding back more than I thought," she remarked, impressed. "Not bad, brat."
Argus's breathing was heavy, his eyes locked onto the swirling tendrils. He could feel the void within him, pulsing with its own life force. But as the seconds passed, the initial thrill began to fade, and with it came the realization that he wasn't fully in control.
The tendrils lashed out unpredictably, snaking across the ground, leaving thin trails of darkness in their wake. One struck a nearby tree, causing it to wither instantly, the bark crumbling on contact as though the life was drained from it. Another tendril shot toward Suzume, faster than Argus could pull it back.
But Suzume didn't flinch. With a quick, easy sidestep, she dodged the tendril, taking another swig from her flask. "Careful there, brat. I like a good fight, but I'm not looking to get fried by your wild magic."
Argus tried pulling the tendrils back under control, but they resisted him, pushing against his will. The void had tasted freedom, and it wasn't eager to be restrained again.
Suzume leaned casually against a nearby tree, grinning as she watched him struggle. "Stop fighting it, kid. You can't wrestle the void like it's some wild beast. It's part of you, whether you like it or not."
Her tone was playful, almost teasing, as if she was enjoying watching him grapple with his own power. "Let me guess, you're still thinking too much."
Argus gritted his teeth, feeling a rush of frustration. "I'm trying, but it's—"
Suzume cut him off with a wave of her hand. "That's the problem. You're trying too hard. Let go. Feel it."
Argus hesitated, but he forced himself to close his eyes and breathe. He let the void flow, not fighting its pull but sinking into the rhythm of its energy. Slowly, the chaotic tendrils began to respond, moving in sync with him instead of against him.
When he opened his eyes again, the void still pulsed around him, but now it felt more controlled, more deliberate. It wasn't fully tamed, but there was an understanding between him and the void.
Suzume clapped slowly, a mockery of applause. "Look at that, you figured it out. Took you long enough."
Argus shot her a glare, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You could've been more helpful."
"Where's the fun in that?" Suzume teased, tossing him a wooden practice sword from a nearby rack. "Now, don't think you're getting out of sword training just because you've got some fancy void powers. I didn't come all this way to watch you wave shadows around."
Argus caught the sword, surprised. "Sword training? With you?"
Suzume smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "What? You think you're too good for it? Just because you can throw around some dark tendrils doesn't mean you don't need to know how to swing a blade."
Argus gripped the sword tightly, his body aching from the exertion but his resolve stronger than ever. "I'm ready."
Suzume took a lazy stance, raising her own sword. "Yeah? We'll see about that, brat."
Without warning, she lunged at him. Her speed took him by surprise, and he barely blocked the strike in time. Her sword clanged against his with a sharp, resounding crack, sending a jolt through his arm.
"Too slow!" she called out, her tone half-mocking. "Move your feet, brat! You wanna be strong, don't you?"
Argus gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance. This wasn't about the void—this was about him.
Suzume came at him again, faster this time. Her strikes were relentless, but she wasn't going all out—just testing him. Each clash of their swords sent another wave of strain through his arms, but Argus pushed through it, focusing on her movements.
"Not bad," Suzume taunted, parrying one of his strikes with ease. "But you're still thinking too much. Loosen up! Your sword should be an extension of you, not some awkward stick you're holding onto for dear life."
Argus tried to adjust his grip, loosening his hold slightly. When Suzume attacked again, he deflected her strike more smoothly, the sword moving with him rather than against him.
"That's more like it!" Suzume grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Maybe you're not as hopeless as I thought."
Suddenly, she stopped, leaning on her sword as if she was bored already. Then, with a sly grin, she said, "Tell you what, brat. If you can use sword intent, I'll let you squeeze my boob."
Argus nearly dropped his sword in shock, "What?"
Suzume burst into laughter, doubling over as if she'd just said the funniest thing in the world. "Come on, I'm kidding! But look at your face! You're a long way from sword intent, brat—dozen of years, if you're lucky."
Argus scowled, but there was no hiding the flicker of amusement in his eyes. He glanced at Suzume, who was still wiping tears from her eyes from laughing too hard.
"I think you're an idiot," Argus muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Suzume to catch.
Without missing a beat, Suzume whacked him lightly on the head with the flat side of her practice sword. "Calling your master an idiot, huh?" she teased, her grin widening. "I heard that, brat."
Argus rubbed the back of his head, shooting her a glare. "I said it for a reason."
Suzume laughed, clearly unbothered. "Maybe so, but you're stuck with me."
Later, as the sun began to set, Suzume sat on a large stone by the training grounds, her cheeks flushed from the liquor she'd been drinking. She held out the flask to Argus, her face split in a lazy grin. "Here, brat, have a sip. It'll put some hair on your chest."
Argus stared at the flask as if it were poisoned. "I'm nine."
"Eh, you're old enough for some fun," Suzume teased, swaying slightly.
Argus crossed his arms, shaking his head. "You're a lost cause."
Suzume's grin widened, unashamed. "You'll thank me one day."