The dark majesty of a violent tempest blankets the sky and emits bursts of terrifying energy, which stream down from the storm onto the earth below, scarring it with the cyclone's endless fury.
A young boy walks unceasingly toward the center of this raging hurricane, avoiding even the rain and thunder striking out around him. This boy, Astraoth, holds his eyes locked firmly on the heart of this tempest, and never removes his gaze from his goal, even as nature's rage assaults him.
Eventually, the boy reaches near the core of the storm, and as he steps into it, there is a sudden burst of energy at the hurricane's focal point, and it explodes outward in a wall of energy, reaching to the peak of the sky. As it rushes toward Astraoth, he reacts quickly, pulling out a solid stone pole out of his cloak and stabbing it into the ground.
Astraoth narrows his eyes and gathers Essence Energy, channeling it into the pole. The Essence Energy reaches the tip of the pole and expands outward, creating a multicolored shield around Astraoth.
As the fierce wall of energy reaches Astraoth, it collides violently with his shield, attempting to destroy the energy opposing it. Astraoth's body spasms under the immense pressure of the massive threat facing him. Gritting his teeth, he pushes back against the wall with his Essence Energy; however, it is still utterly dwarfed by the power of the wall.
The wall begins to push back at him, even stronger than before; it even forces Astraoth's body back, to the edge of his shield. Only by gripping onto the pole with all his strength can he stay in place, but even that stability is threatened when the pole begins to be forced backward.
Astraoth struggles as intensely as he can against the wall, but its overwhelming might is too powerful. As he is overcome with fear, his consciousness starts to fade, and Astraoth closes his eyes, asking himself,"Will this be my last stand, my final moment?"
But, as Astraoth is about to perish, his answer comes; a memory of Oromius fills his mind, and a single phrase reverberates through his consciousness, his very being.
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"Astraoth, remember this. To understand one's self, to understand one's environment, and to understand one's enemy is necessary. Only through knowledge can you find the path to victory."
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Astraoth's eyes snap open, emanating a powerful crimson light, and suddenly his path becomes clear. Astraoth removes the pole from the ground and releases his control over his Essence Energy. The shield dissipates, and the energy flows naturally around Astraoth.
The wall, now unchallenged, slams toward Astraoth with unrivaled force, but Astraoth simply raises his hand toward it in response. As it reaches his hand, the wavelength of Astraoth's Essence Energy shifts dramatically, matching the wall's energy signature perfectly. The wall harmlessly passes through his hand and bypasses his body completely. Astraoth smiles as the wall of energy races past him, and he begins to walk toward the storm's heart once again.
The storm's focal point continues to rage violently, releasing many more walls of pure energy, and the tempest grows ever stronger. Lightning strikes become even more fearsome, raindrops grow even colder, and blades of wind slash even faster.
Astraoth isn't fazed by any challenge; however, and avoids the storm's blasts of energy easily. Now, Astraoth quickly steps past the puddles of freezing water accumulating on the ground, dodges past the electricity coursing through the ground, and adapts his body to the cold gradually; every challenge facing him is easily bypassed.
Even the walls of energy, which are even fiercer and stronger than before, are easily circumvented by synchronizing with the walls' energy and understanding his surroundings properly. No longer can these obstacles faze him; Astraoth now walks to the heart of storm unhindered.
Astraoth approaches the center of the tempest, his confidence soaring to the heavens. As he steps next to the storm's focal point, blue and purple lightning erupt from it, condensing into a giant monster, five meters long and two meters high. It is a pegasus with deep black four-meter-long blue wings, solid purple hooves, and a stunning blue mane. Its eyes radiate an eerie purple, and violent bursts of lightning and dark energy surround it. The pegasus stands tall, emanating a sinister, yet powerful majesty.
Astraoth's crimson eyes match the pegasus' cold gaze; he pulls out his stone pole. and readies himself for a fierce battle. Suddenly, Astraoth sprints into action, racing toward the monster, the violent thunderstorm surrounding him foreshadowing a terrible and earth-shattering battle.