"Azazel, are you feeling alright?" Kaela asked, concern etching her voice. She knelt beside him, brushing back a stray lock of her dark hair.
Azazel shook the water from his hands and sighed. "Just tired," he admitted. "I thought... after we broke the curse in Simpang, we'd catch a break."
Kaela's lips curled into a small, teasing smile. "Well, you are the 'hero,' right? Heroes don't get vacations."
Azazel couldn't help but chuckle, though his laughter was short-lived. Shadow, his faithful companion, was acting... strange. The massive wolf-like creature was pacing restlessly, its fur bristling and eyes glowing with a strange, pulsing light. Even the dark mark of Valhalla on Azazel's chest seemed to hum in response, as if resonating with some unseen force.
"Hey, Shadow," Azazel called, but the wolf didn't stop pacing. Its form shimmered, and wisps of shadow began to peel away from its body, floating and dissipating like mist. "What's wrong with you, buddy?"
Kaela's eyes widened. "Azazel, look at him! What's happening?"
Azazel took a cautious step forward. Shadow's body was changing, as if an unseen energy were trying to burst free from within. The air grew thick with tension, and even the trees seemed to whisper warnings. Shadow snarled, but it wasn't a sound of aggression—more of a desperate attempt to hold something back.
Azazel felt the connection between them pulsing, almost as if a second heartbeat was thrumming in his chest. He gritted his teeth. "Shadow, focus. Whatever's happening, we have to control it."
He reached out to touch Shadow, his fingers brushing against the wolf's fur. The moment his hand made contact, a surge of power jolted through him, like a lightning strike but colder, darker. His vision swam with shadows, and for a moment, he felt his consciousness slip.
Kaela grabbed his arm. "Azazel! Stay with me!"
Azazel stumbled but steadied himself, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. "I'm... fine," he managed, though he wasn't sure if he believed it.
Shadow's form seemed to stabilize, but now it exuded a menacing, almost regal presence. The shadows coiled around the beast like living armor, and Azazel could feel the power emanating from it. He closed his eyes, focusing on the bond they shared, trying to bring balance to the energy surging between them.
Then, without warning, a roar split the air, shaking the trees and sending flocks of birds scattering into the sky. The ground trembled as something massive crashed through the underbrush. Azazel spun around, his heart racing. Emerging from the shadows was a beast unlike any he'd seen before—a massive, scaly creature with obsidian horns and eyes that burned like molten gold.
"Oh, come on!" Azazel groaned. "Can't we get a break for five minutes?"
Kaela's hand went to the hilt of her dagger, though her expression was more exasperated than afraid. "Seriously, what did we do to deserve this?"
The beast roared again, its voice a bone-shaking growl. Azazel could feel the oppressive weight of its aura pressing down on him. Shadow, however, didn't back away. Instead, it took a step forward, its own energy flaring up in response.
"Looks like we're not running from this one," Azazel said, drawing his sword. The blade shimmered with a faint blue light, infused with the power of the Sky Serpent. "Ready to test out this... 'Stage of Awakening' thing?"
Shadow growled in agreement, and Azazel could sense the excitement and newfound strength coursing through his companion.
Kaela, standing a few paces back, rolled her eyes. "Just don't get yourselves killed. I'd hate to be the one explaining that to the next village we visit."
Azazel smirked. "We'll try our best."
The beast charged, its massive limbs tearing through the earth as it lunged. Azazel dashed forward, meeting the creature head-on. He channeled his energy, the mark of Valhalla glowing brighter on his chest. The shadows from Shadow's form intertwined with his own, wrapping around his sword. He felt the surge of their combined power—a dark, electric force that made his entire body feel alive.
"Let's see what this new power can do!" Azazel shouted. He swung his sword, and the shadows around it erupted like a wave of midnight fire, slashing across the beast's hide. The monster roared in pain, but it didn't stop.
Kaela, observing from a safe distance, muttered under her breath, "Show-offs."
The beast retaliated, swiping at Azazel with one massive, clawed paw. Azazel barely managed to dodge, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling backward. Shadow leaped in, its body a blur of shadows and fangs, clamping down on the beast's foreleg.
"Good boy, Shadow!" Azazel yelled, steadying himself. He felt a rush of pride and gratitude, but he knew they couldn't let their guard down. The beast was furious, thrashing and trying to shake Shadow off.
Kaela called out from the side, her hands beginning to glow with magical energy. "Hey, Azazel! How about some fire?"
Azazel grinned. "You read my mind!"
Kaela unleashed a volley of fireballs, each one striking the beast's back and leaving scorch marks in their wake. The creature roared again, this time in genuine pain. Azazel saw his opening. He focused, channeling the combined power of his taming abilities and the energy he now called the "Stage of Awakening."
"Shadow, let's finish this!" Azazel commanded.
The shadows coiling around Azazel's sword pulsed, and he felt a surge of confidence. He charged forward, the shadows trailing behind him like a dark comet. With a shout, he drove his sword into the beast's chest, the energy exploding outward in a burst of shadow and light.
The beast's roar choked off, and it collapsed to the ground with a final, earth-shaking thud. Shadow released its grip and stepped back, panting but victorious. The oppressive aura around them began to dissipate, and the forest slowly returned to a tense, but quieter state.
Azazel fell to one knee, catching his breath. "Okay... that was... intense."
Kaela approached, wiping sweat from her brow. "You think?" she said, hands on her hips. "You both looked like you were about to explode or something."
Azazel laughed, though it came out more like a wheeze. "Well, at least we know we can handle whatever this 'Stage of Awakening' is... sort of."
Kaela knelt beside him, her expression softening. "Just don't get too reckless, alright? We need you in one piece."
Azazel smiled, a rare, genuine smile. "I'll try. No promises, though."
Shadow trotted over, nudging Azazel with its snout. Azazel ruffled the wolf's fur, feeling the warm, pulsing connection between them. "Good job, buddy. You really stepped up."
Kaela watched them, a smirk playing at her lips. "You know, if you two keep getting stronger, I might just have to step up my magic game."
Azazel raised an eyebrow. "Oh, please do. I'd love to see you try."
Kaela rolled her eyes, but her smile never wavered. "Let's just hope we don't have to use that power again anytime soon."
As the three of them made their way deeper into the forest, the shadows still whispered, but this time, they seemed less menacing, almost... awed. Azazel couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. Whatever this new power was, he had a feeling it would only be the beginning of something far greater.