Before they could stop him, he charged down the slope, his heart pounding like a war drum. The beasts turned toward him, their eyes glowing with malice as they fully awoke.
Mathew's first strike was clumsy, his spear barely grazing the nearest beast. The creature roared and lunged, its claws slashing across his chest. Pain exploded through his body, but he gritted his teeth and countered, driving the spear into the beast's neck. Blood sprayed across the rocks as the creature collapsed, but there were dozens more.
One after another, the beasts came at him. Mathew fought like a man possessed, his movements growing sharper, faster, as though guided by an unseen force. He ignored the gashes and bruises accumulating on his body, his focus singular: protect the refugees.
As he struck down the last of the beasts, a searing wave of energy surged through him. He dropped to his knees, gasping for air as the influx of soul essence flooded his body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt—a raw, primal power that coursed through his veins, igniting something deep within.
When he opened his eyes, he felt different. Stronger. Faster. He looked down at his hands, now glowing faintly with a blue aura. His scars throbbed, but the pain felt distant, overshadowed by the awakening of his latent abilities.
The veterans, who had watched the battle from afar, descended into the valley. They stared at him in awe, their faces pale with disbelief.
"You… you're awakened," one of them murmured In surprise." Are you even human ?" He thought out loud.
Mathew didn't respond. His gaze shifted to the refugees, who were bowing their heads in gratitude. He nodded at them before standing, his body trembling from exhaustion but his spirit resolute.
From that day forward, Mathew was no longer just a warrior of the Shirohaga Clan. He was an awakened, a protector whose strength had been forged in the crucible of fear and courage. And though the scars on his body would never fade, they became a testament to the moment he defied his fears and chose to stand his ground.
With this Mathew finished recounting his past of how he became an awakened.
Sasha followed, her voice softer but no less compelling. She spoke of her childhood in the northern forests, of losing her family to a gate that had opened near their home. Her awakening had been born from grief and a burning desire for vengeance, a fire that still smoldered within her.
Clive was next, his tone more hesitant. He told of a life spent in the shadows, surviving as a thief until he stumbled upon on Tensen Shirohaga who told him he had a lot of potential. His awakening had come when he went on a mission to deliver a scroll to the wasabi clan but ended helping them contain a gate.
Clive's story impressed Mathew who now looked at Clive with a little more respect.
When it was Kaguya's turn, he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the storm outside.
Clive then cleared his throat. " Well if you weren't an anomaly then you incinerating all those devils would have been your awakening or even ascension by the way how much soul essence did you get out of all devils."
"Clive!" Mathew nooded in dissatisfaction.
The fire crackled softly as the storm continued to rage, the sound of the rain and wind mingling with the echoes of their stories. Though the group was weary, the shared tales brought a sense of unity, a reminder of why they fought and what they were fighting for.
Outside, the storm showed no signs of abating. The mountain remained a silent, looming presence, its secrets hidden beneath layers of rock and shadow. But within the cave, the group found a brief respite, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced and the ones yet to come.