### HEARTHWOOD HAVEN MANOR: ASHURA BEDROOM
The cheerful sound of birds chirping filled the room, while golden sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow that created a fairy tale atmosphere. Ashura lay in bed, slowly opening his right eye, a sleepy smile spreading across his face.
"Urrrgh, it feels like ages since I slept so deeply," he murmured, his voice low with drowsiness.
"Good morning, young Lord Ashura. If you're awake, may I enter?" Amber called from outside, her voice bright and welcoming as she lightly knocked on the door.
"No need for that, Amber. Just prepare my breakfast; I'll be down in a bit," Ashura replied, his voice still warm with sleep. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching before shuffling over to the window to soak in the beautiful light and gentle breeze.
### HEARTHWOOD HAVEN MANOR: DINING TABLE
Creak, creak—the sound of wooden stairs echoed as Ashura made his way to the dining room.
"Good morning, young Lord Ashura! Did you sleep well last night?" Amber greeted cheerfully, her voice almost dancing in the air. "I've made Elven Pancakes with Berry Compote for you!"
As Ashura's eyes adjusted, he took in the sight of thin, crepe-like pancakes, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and topped with a warm, vibrant forest berry compote. His stomach rumbled with anticipation, and he couldn't resist the temptation, quickly sitting down at the dining table.
"UMMMM! This is seriously delicious, Amber!" Ashura exclaimed, diving into the pancakes with unabashed enthusiasm.
"I've prepared a new sword for you to practice with today—" Amber began, but before she could finish, Ashura interrupted her, a playful grin on his face.
"Ah! Not today! I think I'll take it easy and enjoy the garden instead," he said with a chuckle, practically leaping from his seat. Without waiting for a response, he dashed toward the garden, leaving Amber with a puzzled expression.
### HEARTHWOOD HAVEN MANOR: DEEPER GARDEN
As Ashura wandered through the forest, a puzzled expression crossed his face. "Divine Nyx said the path should open itself," he muttered, frustration lacing his voice. "But how should I know when it will open?!" He almost choked on the words in his vexation. Suddenly, he stumbled over a tree root, tumbling down the wooded slope.
"Urrrgh, damn that root! I almost hit my head!" Ashura grumbled as he struggled to stand, brushing away the dust and dead leaves that clung to his clothes. Just then, a path emerged before him, illuminated by a shimmering blue light, flanked by an abundance of delicate gandella flowers.
"Huh!! Lucky me. Finally found it! Guess I will forgive that root," he exclaimed, a spark of excitement igniting in his chest. With renewed determination, he followed the glowing path that promised to lead him to the realm of Astraelen.
"No matter how I see it, this place is truly mesmerizing," Ashura whispered to himself, soaking in the breathtaking scenery as he looked forward to meeting Divine Nyx once more.
"A pleasure it is to meet thee once more, young child," came a melodic voice. Ashura glanced up to see Divine Nyx floating gracefully above his head. "I do hope thou hadst a fair dream last night, for I surely wish it so."
"Woahhh!!!" Ashura shouted, startled by the unexpected encounter. His heart raced as he blurted out, "Damn, you almost made my heart stop! Can you not do that?" His cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Pardon me," Divine Nyx replied, a hint of amusement in her tone, "for 'tis been a long while since I have encountered, nay, even conversed with a mortal. 'Tis but my manner of mirth."
Ashura shook his head, trying to regain his composure. "Ah, whatever. Who am I to question divine behavior? Instead of that, let's continue the contract we talked about." His expression shifted from playful to serious, reflecting the gravity of the moment.
"To forge a contract bound by bond, there is preparation to be made; yet I have already accomplished it. Now, we need but to take our oath," Divine Nyx instructed, guiding Ashura to a designated place.
As Ashura took in the scene around him, he felt a sense of wonder wash over him once again. Before him lay a circle formed by candles with blue flames, their flickering light casting an ethereal glow amidst the surrounding forest, which shimmered as if crafted from crystal rather than merely leaves.
"What dost thou await, young child?" Divine Nyx urged, her voice echoing gently in the air. "Sit in the midst of the formation, and speak the oath shown in the puddle before thee."
Snapped back to reality, Ashura hurriedly complied, settling in the center of the glowing circle, anticipation thrumming in his chest as he prepared to speak his oath.
**"In Nyx's hallowed shade, I, Ashura, do bind,
To the darkness deep and stars aligned.
By eternal bonds and fate's decree,
I yield my breath, my will to thee.
Through eons dark, in shadows steeped,
Our souls entwined, our covenant keeps.
So by the void and timeless night,
This vow I swear, in sacred rite."**
Ashura took a steady breath, the words reverberating as he spoke, each line casting ripples across the shimmering blue light encircling him. As he finished the oath, the candle flames flared briefly, bathing him in an intense azure glow before softening, their light flowing gently into the surrounding forest as if breathing life into the crystal leaves.
The blue flames coiled upward, wrapping him in a cool, comforting warmth, a faint hum vibrating through his core. He felt the weight of his vow settle over him like a cloak—comforting, protective, yet undeniably binding. His gaze met Nyx's, her form radiant against the starlit night, her smile subtle but approving.
With the contract sealed, a gentle energy washed over Ashura, imbuing him with the essence of night and dreams. Nyx's voice, soft as a lullaby yet clear as a bell, echoed one final message: "From this moment forth, thou art part of my shadow, a watcher among dreams, a bearer of the night's wisdom.
The scene returned to normal, as if nothing had happened at all. The stillness in the air was palpable, but within Ashura, a tumult of thoughts raged.
"I see," he muttered, his voice laced with a mixture of awe and resentment, "so this is the power of Nyx. Powerful, yes, but in this current body of mine, it feels more like a curse than a blessing." He clenched his fists, feeling the unfamiliar energy coursing through him like fire, igniting both pain and strength.
Divine Nyx, her ethereal presence exuding a serene curiosity, regarded him with her deep, insightful eyes. "Since we have completed the oath, prithee, young child, Why dost thou intend to bring down EDEN? Even I know that 'tis easier said than done."
Ashura's gaze hardened. EDEN—a shimmering legend, a place perched high above the lands, glittering with golden edifices and precious gemstones. It was said to be the sanctuary where the divine beings of the Great Calestia War resided, a realm accessible only to those who had etched their names in the annals of history. The first emperor of the Rozastar empire had traversed its gates, leaving behind tales of glory. Many organizations—empires, tribes, clans—had fought bitterly for the privilege to step foot in that hallowed ground, including the illustrious Great Kanon families.
A bitter laugh escaped Ashura's lips, laced with disdain. "My empire is full of beautiful treasures, great harvests, and a warm, tranquil climate. Yet why do we fight for a place that can only be seen from afar, one that we cannot even tread upon?" His voice rose, a storm brewing within him. "The reason is simple—it is because of that arrogant divine and their whims!"
Ashura's eyes blazed with fury. "What exactly happened there? Those who seek permission to enter that wretched place... they don't seem to act like themselves anymore. They become servile, mere shadows of their former selves, existing solely to entertain the whims of the divine above! It's revolting!" The raw emotion spilled from him, echoing in the air as he struggled to contain the righteous anger that threatened to consume him whole.
"Even now, all 53 noble houses clash ruthlessly, vying for supremacy to usher forth the rightful heirs who shall dare to enter that sacred place. This relentless struggle only serves to ease the path for the abyssal monsters, allowing them to wreak havoc upon this land. The nobles, consumed by their insatiable desires, care little for the plight of the commoners who suffer as a direct result of their actions." Ashura's voice dripped with barely contained fury, his rage simmering just beneath the surface as he spoke.
But then, the storm within him transformed into a thunderous laugh. "HAHAHA! but it different now, your divine Nyx power will became the foundation to my fierce resolve! I shall not only thwart the abyss's chaotic rampage but I will also... SHATTER EDEN and send all its divine inhabitants plummeting to the very depths of this realm!" His determination echoed like a battle cry through the air, promising retribution against the heavens themselves.
Divine Nyx with a hint of curiosity "How can such a human exist with uncontrolled emotions festering within, I wonder? Not only dost thou wish to contend with the abyss, but thou also seekest to battle Eden. Young child, thou art truly full of surprises; into the abyss thou shalt enter with mine power."
Ashura eyes widening in surprise "Enter the abyss!? Isn't the abyss the realm of void where no being dares to step, even the divine?"
Divine Nyx nodding, her voice calm and assured "My realm, Astraelen, and the realm of the Abyss have but little difference, for both realms are wrought from darkness. I do possess the right to enter therein, and thou, who holdest my power, shalt find thyself growing stronger with greater swiftness in that realm, as it is the birthplace of the Abyssal monsters. Verily, the trials shall be more arduous than usual; yet, seeing thee, I am certain thou shalt fare well."
Divine Nyx a touch of finality in her tone "Farewell, young child; for I shall return to slumber's rest. Other divine beings in Eden shall take note if I exceed mine power beyond this present hour. Grow stronger, young child, and we shall meet again in the unknown future."
As Nyx begins to vanish into the shadows, Ashura feels a pang of longing in his heart. He steps forward, his voice steady yet filled with emotion.
Ashura "Next time we meet, call me Ashura... ASHURA KANON. Until then, may you have peaceful dreams."
Divine Nyx turns slightly, a warm and knowing look gracing her features.
Divine Nyx "And may you have a journey full of blessings."
With those parting words, Nyx fades into the darkness, leaving Ashura standing alone, yet filled with newfound determination.