Amon moved swiftly through the thick underbrush of the forest outside the Kingdom of Oz, his breath steady as he kept his eyes on the shadows around him. He was on high alert, sensing the presence of the pack. These were no ordinary wolves—the five Wind Wolves and their pack leader, the Guardian of the Wind, were formidable adversaries. Each wolf moved with supernatural agility, their coats rippling with wind energy as if they themselves were made from the very element they commanded.
As the wolves emerged from the shadows, Amon's focus sharpened. This would be his chance to prove himself, to stand above his siblings by facing down beasts of this caliber alone. Gripping his fists, he prepared himself, breathing deeply to steady his energy.
"Sixth Form: Formless Blade of the Shadowy Dragon!"
With a sudden burst of speed, Amon charged forward, his hands slicing through the air in fluid, cutting motions as if wielding invisible blades. The Formless Blade allowed him to attack without any physical weapon, each strike hitting with the strength and speed of a shadowy dragon's claws. His attacks landed with precision, slicing through the air and forcing three wolves to retreat, snarling as they backed away, wounded and cautious.
But the Guardian of the Wind was different. As Amon faced it head-on, he could feel the beast's power, a whirlwind of energy coiling around it. The creature's intense yellow eyes locked onto Amon with a deadly intelligence, and with a roar, it lunged at him, moving like a tempest. Amon barely managed to dodge as it slashed with a wind-infused claw, the force of which sent him staggering back.
Unfazed, Amon readied his next move.
"Fifth Form: Veil of Shadows!"
In an instant, Amon's form began to blur, blending into the shadows around him as if he'd become one with them. The Veil of Shadows was meant to hide him from sight, creating an illusionary cloak that allowed him to strike from the darkness. But the Guardian of the Wind had no intention of letting him escape so easily.
With a howl, the beast summoned a spiraling storm around itself, a technique known as Tempest Breaker. The sheer force of the attack shattered Amon's shadowy veil, the violent winds tearing through his defense and hurling him backward. Amon gasped as pain wracked his body; the backlash from the broken Veil sent a shockwave of internal energy scattering wildly within him, his vision blurring as he struggled to stay on his feet.
Determined not to falter, Amon pulled himself together, gritting his teeth against the pain.
"Fourth Form: Shadow Step of the Void!"
Channeling his remaining energy, he used Shadow Step not as a means of attack but as a last resort for escape. His form flickered as he moved in rapid, teleporting bursts, dodging between the wolves in a bid to put distance between himself and the relentless pack. In the process, he managed to eliminate three of the Wind Wolves, striking them down as he darted past. But even as he escaped their numbers, his thoughts turned bitter.
As he ran, the image of his siblings flashed in his mind. A poisonous envy began to fester within him—Adam, his twin, had fallen into a dungeon and was likely gaining power, facing trials that would only make him stronger. Meanwhile, he, Amon, was forced to flee, humiliated by an encounter he couldn't conquer alone. A mix of resentment and self-loathing settled heavily on his heart.
Why does he get the chance to grow while I'm left to struggle against beasts? Why should Elu be the one who stands in the light while I'm forced to remain in the shadows?
The need for power began to twist Amon's mind, overshadowing his love for his family with a dark determination. In that moment, he resolved that he would stop at nothing to surpass them. Whatever it took, he would gain power, even if it meant severing the bonds that had once held them together.
As the shadows closed around him, Amon's resolve hardened, and with it, a malevolent force stirred deep within him, feeding off his hatred.