The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Ash stretched his limbs, still sore from the training sessions Pyre had put him through the previous day. His wolf lay beside him, its sleek black fur shining faintly, the crimson mark on its forehead glowing faintly in the morning light.
Pyre emerged from the trees, his usual stoic expression intact. He carried a bundle of raw meat slung over his shoulder, which he tossed toward Ash and the wolf. "Eat," he said curtly.
Ash caught the bundle, ripping off a piece and tossing it to the wolf. As they ate, Pyre sat down, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze shifted to the wolf, and for a moment, Ash thought he saw something resembling curiosity in his master's usually detached eyes.
"You've noticed something, haven't you?" Pyre said suddenly, his voice breaking the calm.
Ash blinked. "Noticed what?"
Pyre gestured to the wolf. "It's grown. Faster and stronger than it should have."
Ash nodded, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, I've noticed. It's been… different since the black ox. Bigger, faster. It's like it became a whole new creature."
Pyre leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "That's because of the technique it's using."
"What technique?" Ash asked, his voice skeptical but intrigued.
Pyre's eyes glinted in the sunlight. "Essence Absorption. It's a skill common among fusions. Your wolf isn't unique in that regard."
Ash frowned, glancing at his companion. "Wait, you're saying this is *normal*? That other fusions can do what it's doing?"
"To an extent," Pyre replied. "Essence Absorption is the ability to consume another fusion's essence—its power, its traits—and make them your own. But there's a limit. A fusion can only absorb another's essence once every thirty days. And even then, it's not as simple as just taking power. It's a process that requires balance and control."
Ash's gaze lingered on the wolf, which was now gnawing on the meat, its crimson claws raking against the ground. "But… this feels different," he said. "It's not just stronger. It's like it's evolving every time."
Pyre smirked faintly. "That's because your wolf isn't just following the standard rules of Essence Absorption. It's tapping into something far greater—something that aligns more with *your* abilities."
Ash tilted his head. "My abilities?"
"You," Pyre said, leaning back, "are not a normal fusion. Your power doesn't simply allow you to fight or survive—it allows you to dominate. To make other fusions a part of yourself. What your wolf is doing is a reflection of that. A mirror of your potential."
"So, what's the difference?" Ash asked, curiosity growing. "Between Essence Absorption and what I do?"
"Essence Absorption," Pyre began, "is limited. It allows a fusion to take fragments of another's power—traits, abilities, sometimes even physical characteristics. But it doesn't change the core of the user. It's an enhancement, not an evolution.
"What you do, however, is far more dangerous. When you consume a fusion, you don't just take a piece of them—you *become* them. Their power doesn't just augment you; it becomes a part of your essence, seamlessly integrated into your being. That's not Essence Absorption. That's something far rarer."
Ash leaned back, his mind racing. "So, you're saying I can do more than my wolf?"
Pyre's gaze sharpened. "Yes. But don't mistake that for superiority. Your wolf's power is still formidable, and if it continues to grow, it will become a force to be reckoned with. But remember this—power without control is nothing more than chaos."
Ash stared at his wolf, watching as it licked its claws clean, its eyes gleaming with intelligence. He thought back to the fights they'd shared, the way the wolf had grown stronger after each battle. He'd always thought of it as his companion, but now, he realized it was something more—a reflection of his own journey.
"So, it's like we're connected," Ash said slowly. "What it absorbs… it's tied to me?"
"More than you realize," Pyre said, standing and brushing off his coat. "Its growth mirrors yours. But be careful, Ash. The stronger it becomes, the more it will rely on that power. If you let it, that hunger for strength will consume it, just like it could consume you."
Ash smirked faintly, standing as well. "You're saying I should be careful of a puppy?"
Pyre shot him a sharp look. "I'm saying you should respect the bond you share. Mock it, and you'll find yourself fighting alone."
The wolf barked, wagging its tail as if in response. Ash chuckled, scratching behind its ears. "Alright, fine. I'll treat you with respect, Your Highness."
Pyre sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still teaching me," Ash shot back with a grin.
Pyre smirked faintly. "Don't remind me."
As they packed up camp, Ash's mind lingered on Pyre's words. The bond between him and his wolf was deeper than he'd realized, and the power they shared was something he was only beginning to understand.
As they moved through the forest, Pyre's voice carried on the wind. "Remember, Ash. Power is a tool, not a goal. Use it wisely, or it'll destroy you."
Ash nodded, his wolf trotting beside him, its crimson-marked forehead gleaming in the sunlight. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew they'd face them together.