The week in the void had been a brutal trial, one that felt as though time itself had slowed to a crawl. I had fought shades, devoured their essence, and felt my void body strengthen with each battle. My movements were sharper now, my strikes deadlier. But tonight, as the glowing blue orb in the pitch-black sky cast its eerie light over the barren landscape, I knew I had stumbled upon a challenge unlike any I'd faced before.
A horde.
Dozens of shades slithered out of the shadows, their hollow forms twisting unnaturally as they closed in. Around them floated the more menacing Wraithlings—hunched figures with elongated arms ending in claws sharp enough to rend void-flesh from bone. Their dark, glowing eyes locked onto me, promising only destruction.
I tightened my fists, the faint black energy of Void Step flickering around me.
"All of you at once?" I muttered, my voice cutting through the silence. "Good. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down."
The shades attacked first, lunging forward like feral beasts. Their erratic, jagged movements made them hard to track, but I was ready.
The first shade leaped at me, claws outstretched. I ducked low, pivoting on my heel to sweep its legs out from under it. As it hit the ground, I drove my fist through its chest, the black void energy surging through me making the creature dissolve into wisps of smoke.
Two more came at me from either side. I kicked off the ground, launching myself into the air and twisting to avoid their claws. Mid-spin, I brought my foot crashing down on one of their heads, its hollow form collapsing instantly. As I landed, the other lunged again, but I grabbed its arm, twisting until I heard a sickening snap.
"You're slower than the others," I said coldly, tossing its writhing form aside.
But the Wraithlings were smarter. They hovered back, observing my movements, waiting for their chance.
One of the Wraithlings let out a bone-chilling screech, and the shades began to swarm again, forcing me to retreat. My back hit a jagged rock wall, and I cursed under my breath.
"You think numbers will save you?" I snarled, Void Step flickering at my feet.
The Wraithlings darted forward, their claws slashing through the air. I used Void Step to dodge, disappearing into the shadows and reappearing behind them. My fist connected with the nearest Wraithling's back, sending it crashing into the ground.
Before I could follow up, another Wraithling appeared beside me, its claws raking across my side. Pain shot through me as the void body absorbed the damage, but I spun around, grabbing its wrist and pulling it into a vicious elbow strike that shattered its head.
More shades came, their claws glowing faintly in the moonlight. I countered with relentless ferocity, every punch and kick fueled by the growing strength inside me.
The horde seemed endless. The shades screeched and snarled as they clawed at me, their forms dissolving into smoke with every strike I landed. But for every one I killed, another seemed to rise from the darkness.
"Is this all you've got?" I shouted, blood pounding in my ears.
Void Step flickered as I weaved through their attacks, the black energy amplifying my speed and precision. I grabbed a shade by its neck, slamming it into the ground, and used its body as a shield to block another's attack. The black energy of Void Step surged through me as I threw myself into the fray, every strike calculated, every move deliberate.
But the Wraithlings were relentless. They worked together, coordinating their attacks. One swiped at my legs while another aimed for my throat. I barely managed to dodge, my feet skidding against the ground as I retaliated with a wild uppercut that sent one flying.
For a moment, I faltered. The sheer number of enemies pressed me to my limits. My breathing was ragged, and the Void Step energy flickered dangerously, threatening to die out.
One of the Wraithlings spoke, its voice a distorted echo.
"Human... you are not strong enough. You will join the void."
The words struck a nerve. My fists tightened as memories of the lab flashed through my mind—chains, pain, hopelessness.
"I'm not weak," I growled, my voice low and filled with defiance.
The black energy around me began to surge again, stronger this time. I took a deep breath, focusing every ounce of my willpower into my movements.
I used Void Step to dart forward, my speed catching the Wraithlings off guard. My fist connected with one's chest, and with a burst of energy, it disintegrated into nothingness.
Another shade lunged at me, but I grabbed it mid-air, slamming it into the ground with enough force to create a small crater.
The remaining Wraithlings hesitated for a moment, their glowing eyes flickering uncertainly.
"What's the matter?" I said, wiping blood from my mouth. "Afraid you bit off more than you can chew?"
The moon above seemed to glow brighter, casting an eerie blue light over the battlefield. For a moment, everything was still. The shades and Wraithlings seemed to gather their strength, ready for one final assault.
And then they charged.
I met them head-on, Void Step propelling me forward as I tore through their ranks. My fists were a blur, each strike a precise blend of power and technique.
One Wraithling tried to ambush me from above, but I leaped into the air, grabbing it by its neck and slamming it into another shade. The impact sent both creatures collapsing into smoke.
The battle raged on, the ground beneath me littered with the remnants of the fallen. But I didn't stop. I couldn't.
When the last Wraithling fell, I stood amidst the carnage, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. The blue moonlight bathed the battlefield, casting long shadows over the lifeless forms of the shades and Wraithlings.
I clenched my fists, the black energy of Void Step still flickering faintly around me.
"That's enough for tonight," I muttered, turning my gaze to the glowing orb in the sky.
As I walked away from the battlefield, I couldn't help but smile. I was stronger now, stronger than I'd ever been before.
And this was only the beginning.