A tremor ran through Teo's body, jolting him awake. He felt it—a flood of energy building like a storm, coursing through every fiber of his being. His senses sharpened, his muscles brimming with newfound strength, and the air around him buzzed with mana so dense it was almost visible.
He felt alive. More alive than ever before, as if a final piece of his existence had just been set into place.
Then, from the shadows around him, shapes began to emerge, one by one. Ten distinct presences took form, each radiating a unique energy that stirred something deep within him. They were powerful, unmistakably his. His familiars.
"Greetings, Master," they said in unison, bowing. The first to step forward was a massive bear with a coat of shimmering silver.
While the others stood up, the bear continued to bow. "I am Atlas Ursus," he said respectfully.
"Atlas Ursus, huh?" Teo's eyes gleamed with interest. "What powers do you wield?"
"My strength is yours to command master," Atlas Ursus responded, his deep voice steady. "I am strength, resilience, and endurance. With my power, you gain strength beyond your limits."
Teo's eyes gleamed with interest. "Sounds useful."
Atlas rose to his full height, towering over Teo like a living fortress. He stepped back quietly, allowing the next familiar to introduce itself.
"Who's next?" Teo asked, flashing a grin.
A towering figure clad in black armor, its head engulfed in flames, stepped forward. "I am Ember Tyrant. My specialties are fire and destruction."
"Simple and to the point, huh? I like it," Teo said, his face lit with anticipation. "But just telling me your specialties would be boring, don't you think?" His eyes gleamed with excitement. "How about we make it more interesting? The two who just introduced themselves. Go over there," he said, pointing toward the empty cave behind him. "And fight!"
Teo's grin widened as he saw his familiars standing opposite each other. The cave's atmosphere seemed to crackle with anticipation, a reflection of the growing mana swirling in the air around them. Atlas Ursus flexed his massive limbs, while Ember Tyrant stood tall, the flames around his head becoming more intense.
"Now show me everything you have to offer." He murmured.
With a roar that shook the ground, Atlas charged forward, his enormous paws pounding against the stone floor. The air rippled as he lunged, his sheer size and strength threatening to tear the cave apart. In response, Ember Tyrant raised a hand, and a wave of huge fireballs were thrown at the charging Atlas.
Atlas didn't flinch. With a powerful swipe of his claws, he tore through all the huge fireballs, the explosions sending a violent blast through the cavern. The shockwave of hot air surged outward, scorching the air around them.
The blast was so intense that Atlas was hurled back to his initial position. His massive form slid across the stone floor, claws scraping as he struggled to maintain his balance.
Ember Tyrant watched with approval before chanting, "Aura of Destruction." Dark energy crackled around him, swirling like a storm. The air thickened, heavy with pressure, as fiery sparks left scorch marks in their wake. The temperature soared, and the floor beneath him began to crack under the force of his power.
"It looks like they're finally going all out," Teo said, flashing a toothy grin.
Atlas, seeing Tyrant preparing for an all-out attack, also began to channel his strength. "Titan's Grasp," he muttered, his claws glowing with raw energy. He focused, pouring his immense physical power into his hands.
Without hesitation, Atlas charged forward, his roar shaking the cavern as his claws scraped against the floor. At the same moment, Ember Tyrant surged forward as well. His destructive aura formed into a massive blade of crackling dark energy. The two familiars collided, the air between them warping with their power.
The cavern trembled as the two familiars clashed, their raw power shaking the very foundation. Atlas slammed into Ember Tyrant with unimaginable force, the impact erasing the left side of Ember Tyrant's body.
But simultaneously, the Tyrant's destructive blade cut through Atlas's massive form with ease, leaving a huge gash in its wake.
The immense collision created a split-second silence, as both familiars were momentarily thrown back. Atlas staggered, his silver fur now covered in his blood. His breath came ragged, the deep gash sizzling with dark energy.
Ember Tyrant was no better off. He could no longer sustain the blade he had formed, which vanished along with the destructive aura. A huge chunk of his body was simply gone—Atlas's hit had been so forceful that it didn't tear the flesh; it annihilated it.
Both familiars stood at the brink of collapse, breathing heavily, their bodies ravaged by the battle. Their once-pristine forms were now scarred and battered by the intensity of their clash.
"Well done, both of you. This match was a spectacle." After speaking, Teo felt a surge of magic power leave his body, and the two familiars were instantly restored to perfect condition. "So that's how it is... no wonder the other vampires always let their familiars do the dirty work."
"Thanks," they said in unison, returning to stand beside the other familiars.
"So, whose turn is it now?" Teo asked, glancing around.
Two new familiars stepped forward. The first was a massive turtle, its rugged, mountain-like shell adorned with shimmering gemstones. "I am Testudo Aegis," it rumbled in a deep, steady voice. "I specialize in defense, metal, and earth."
The second figure was ghostly and ethereal, her form a dark silhouette with no discernible facial features. Long black hair cascaded around her, and two dark wings unfurled from her back. A black halo floated ominously above her head, and she wore flowing black robes, the edges traced with subtle hints of red.
"I am Yuurei No Chi," she said in a soothing voice. "I specialize in blood and possession."