Above the trees, shadowy silhouettes sped through the air, their misty forms moving at an abnormal speed.
Aaron tensed up, they looked like they were heading to North Eldrador.
Dark, shadow-like unidentified creatures coming out of nowhere after a mild earthquake could only mean one thing; The Gateway had reopened.
Subject's mind raced with the same thoughts. According to the books and ancient tomes she had read, the Gateway was like a bridge between Eldrador and a mysterious, uncharted realm hidden from mortal sight.
Periodically, it would release dark creatures of different ranks, forms, and abilities, which are out to devour humans. However, the times when the Gateway's creatures terrorized the peace of Eldrador was millennia ago, an almost forgotten legend.
A Gateway opening at a time like this was impossible.
Aaron, on the other hand, was taught at a young age about this legend of the Gateway. He was taught that compared to swords when killing the creatures, Phantoms were most effective. Thus, he had to get stronger to protect Eldrador's treasured—The royals— in case a gate opened up one day.
Could today be it?
Suddenly, loud screams tore through the air, sending a jolt of shock through Aaron and Subject. Subject spun around, her eyes locking onto a path with trees. There was a small forest village just near her camp.
The panic-stricken cries of women, men, and children caused her instincts to kick in. She quickly grabbed her bag and weapon, saying in a commanding voice "Igris!"
At the sound of Subject's voice, the dragon snarled, enveloping itself in a swirling aura of crimson dust. In an instant, Igris' massive form dissolved into a sleek, red-furred cat with twin tails.
With quickened motion, the feline chased after Subject as she sprinted towards the village.
Aaron blinked, stunned by Subject's impulsive dash into danger. The dragon's sudden shapeshift only added to his shock. 'Is she insane? Running headlong into a danger zone with nothing but a bow and arrow.
Aaron's mind was clouded with doubts. There was no way a Gateway could've opened after ceasing all these years. He believed that the appearance of these dark creatures was of a different origin.
Regardless, the creatures evoked an uncanny sense of danger. Who knows what kind of power they possess?
Running in that direction would only put him in harm's way and divert him from his goal. The horrid screams echoing from there were enough to say that the creature had already started to cause havoc.
In contrast to Subject, Aaron had thought of a different approach; retreat, lay low, and let the Voldar guards handle the menace. Once the coast was clear, he would re-emerge, unscathed.
It would be safer that way. So why was he running towards the village?
With bated breaths, Aaron burst through the trees and stumbled upon the forest village— a cluster of wooden cottages encircling a beautiful marble fountain.
His gaze quickly scrutinized the scene, the smell of blood palpable.
The shadowy creatures had the ability of possession, it was how they fed. They would possess the body of a human and use their host to feed on other humans. It was how they maintained their humanoid forms.
Aaron watched the terror scene, people running and hiding, others being devoured. Amidst the chaos, his eyes landed in Subject where she crouched near a man whose leg was stuck under a heavy barrel.
She was focused on helping out despite the chaotic scene. In that instant, Aaron felt stirred. Earlier he thought of avoiding the creatures by fleeing to the opposite direction.
Seeing them now, he felt obliged to help the survivors. After all, these were innocent people, probably forgotten by their righteous king. Aaron couldn't let them die.
He ran towards a stack of crates under which two children hid themselves. He crouched before them. At first, they feared him because of his tattered appearance and broad shoulders, but Aaron assured them with a smile.
"I'm here to help," he whispered with a small smile. "I won't hurt you," he said. The children exchanged weary glances, and just when they were about to accept, one of them pointed shakily behind Aaron.
She was paralyzed from fear and could only quiver while sticking out her index finger. Aaron looked behind and narrowed his eyes.
At a distance from them, stood a man who was possessed. His eyes were sunken, surrounded by dark circles. His pupils were pitch black, void of any humanity. The possessed man's body leaned to the side, his eyes locked onto Aaron in an unblinking stare.
Aaron gradually stood, assuming a protective force before the children, he faced the man. Aaron's mind reeled, If he killed the host, would that destroy the creature within? Or would it merely free the monster to find another victim, leaving him the murderer of an innocent man?
Mid-Aaron's thoughts, the possessed man leaped into the air abnormally, lunging himself at Aaron with jerky, inhuman movements. Aaron's face darkened and with a scowl on his face, he effortlessly caught the man by the throat.
The man's eyes bulged, struggling to pry from Aaron's grip. As the man's fingers dug into his flesh, it only prompted Aaron's hand to tighten. Suddenly, he felt an odd chill as a surge of energy coursed through his body.
The system appeared before him:
Essence identified!
[C-rank, Level5 Darkling]
[Abilities
•Possession of any life form
Vulnerabilities
•Lightswords
•Elite Phantoms
•Lunar cycles
•Divine magic]
Darkling? Aaron looked at the man struggling in his grip. Dusty black fragments began to seep from his body like ashes escaping a dying flame.
[Absorbing Essence 20%...40%...
Estimated time to completion: 15 seconds]
Aaron's eyes widened, watching the black fragments move towards him. The surge was intoxicating, filling his insides and making his body tremble. He could feel the energy of the darkling being suppressed by his body, his cells, and his very soul, fighting to contain the darkness.
Emptying the host, the system notified:
[Absorption complete!]
((Level up!))
((Level up!))
The man's struggle ceased and Aaron released his grip. Aaron watched as the man's eyes snapped open. He began coughing and gasping for air as hot tears fell from his eyes.
Aaron averted his gaze to his hand, he could see bits of the dark energy coming out. 'Essence absorption…' he voiced inwardly.