Chapter 6: Testing the Darkness
Renji stood at the edge of the abandoned village, staring at his reflection in a murky puddle. His crimson eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight, and his darkened hair fell messily over his forehead. The black markings on his arm pulsed with a strange rhythm, almost as if alive.
"Alright, let's see what this new power can do," he muttered, cracking his knuckles.
Nyx, the small dark creature nestled on his shoulder, chirped softly, its wings fluttering. Renji could feel the bond between them strengthening, the creature's presence filling him with a newfound confidence.
Renji closed his eyes, focusing on the power surging within him. A dark aura coiled around his body, wrapping around his arms like tendrils of shadow. He extended his hand toward a crumbling house in the distance.
"Shadow Pierce."
A tendril of darkness shot from his palm, striking the wooden structure and leaving a deep, smoking hole in its frame. Renji grinned. "Not bad. Looks like I've got a long-range option now."
He turned his attention to his sword, unsheathing it and letting the dark energy flow into the blade. It absorbed the power effortlessly, the metal turning pitch black with a faint purple glow. Renji took a stance, swinging the weapon in a wide arc.
"Dark Fang!"
A wave of shadow energy erupted from the blade, slicing through a nearby fence and sending splinters flying. Nyx let out an approving growl, and Renji couldn't help but laugh. "This is insane. If I had this kind of power back in my old life... well, never mind that."
As he continued experimenting, a sudden noise caught his attention. Renji's senses sharpened, and he turned swiftly to see a group of bandits creeping into the village, likely searching for valuables.
"Perfect," he whispered, a devious smirk forming. "Let's test this power on something that fights back."
Without hesitation, he stepped into the moonlight, his dark aura flaring around him. The bandits froze in place, their expressions shifting from greed to terror.
"I suggest you turn back," Renji said coolly, his crimson eyes gleaming. "Unless you want to become a part of the shadows."
One of the braver bandits lunged at him with a dagger, but Renji was faster. In an instant, he sidestepped and slammed his fist into the man's gut, sending him flying into a crumbling wall. The others backed away, fear evident in their eyes.
"Nyx," Renji called, and the small creature leaped from his shoulder, transforming mid-air into a shadowy serpent. It hissed menacingly, coiling around the remaining bandits.
"R-Run!" one of them screamed, and within seconds, the entire group fled into the darkness.
Renji chuckled. "That went better than expected."
He glanced at Nyx, who reverted to its smaller form and landed back on his shoulder. "Looks like we make a pretty good team, huh?"
The creature purred in response, and Renji's smirk widened. "Alright. Let's get back before anyone notices I've been gone too long."
As he made his way back to the capital, Renji couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. With this new power in his arsenal, his survival chances had just skyrocketed.