Nyx didn’t know how to feel about these encounters. Although she was happy to help someone in need, it still felt like something was wrong. She honestly didn’t want to tell Drac about it because she really wasn’t getting hurt.
If it gets out of hand, I’ll let him know, she thought to herself. Yeah, I’ll tell him then. It wasn’t much of a plan, but what would a seven-year-old know about these things?
It was another day for her where Drac was going to teach her new things. After a hearty breakfast, she, Len and the other Aetherlings gathered around, waiting for the Dragon God of Wrath to appear. As usual, his presence shifted the air, his imposing figure casting a powerful aura that radiated confidence and strength.
He approached them, his eyes briefly scanning over Nyx before narrowing thoughtfully. Today’s agenda was different—he intended to assess her magic and skills, specifically the ones she didn’t use as often. Standing before them, his gaze never wavering.
Her growth was tremendous. She had the capacity to wield the same number of skills as a constellation, which was impressive—and at the same time, it worried him. This had never been heard of before. It made him wonder: Where did she really come from? Had she truly come from above, like he had told her?
Well, whatever it was, he would ensure that she would use her skills as much and as best as possible before it was too late, because time was running out, he spoke in his deep, rumbling voice.
“Now, little one, tell me the skills that you don’t normally use,” he rumbled, his voice like distant thunder.
Nyx thought about it, then accessed her system. “Well, these skills are Harmonic Convergence, Time Stop, Time Dilation, Shadow Domain, and Rift Mastery,” she answered.
He considered each one of them and made his decision. He already knew the basics of every skill, so he was going to make sure that she could use them all. He told her what to do.
Nyx looked up at him expectantly, her eyes wide and bright, sparkling with admiration. Her eyes—he realized for the first time—were silver. A rare color. He had no idea what that meant, but he filed it away for later.
“Good, Nyx. Here’s what we’re going to do,” he began. “I will teach you so that you will be able to use all the skills that you have.”
He paused, watching her reaction. She nodded eagerly.
“Now, we’re going to work through each of those skills, starting with Harmonic Convergence,” Drac instructed, his voice firm but patient. “I’ll guide you through how to use each one, even if it’s just once. Remember to use them for good, to protect the weak—but if anyone angers you…” His voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl. “Show them your wrath.”
Her eyes wide with admiration. She beamed up at him, and for a moment, he was struck by the sheer brightness in her gaze—a brightness that seemed to pulse with an odd, silver hue.
Nyx nodded her head in understanding. Drac was such a good teacher, and he was so smart, she thought.
“Good, let’s begin. First, some context. There are two categories where skills fall under: passive and active skills. Passive Skills provide ongoing benefits without needing to be activated—‘set it and forget it. While Active Skills need to be triggered by the user, often used in combat or critical moments—high impact, high engagement. Do you understand?” he asked her.
Nyx scrunched her face in confusion, clearly trying to process what he’d just said.
He sighed, a small, exasperated huff escaping him. “Let me put it in simpler terms: active is used automatically, and passive is used when you want it to work.”
She thought about it again, then nodded. “I understand now!” she exclaimed.
Len leaned closer and whispered, “I’m so proud of her!” Suli and Nabi both nodded in agreement, beaming at Nyx.
“Look at her go,” Ryu added, grinning. “She’s come so far.”
Guerim, fluttering beside Ryu, crossed his arms. “She’ll be even stronger than you, Ryu. Just watch.”
Nyx giggled at their comments and turned back to Drac, her heart filled with warmth and encouragement.
“First, we’re going to use Harmonic Convergence. To use it, just call upon it in your system. Go ahead and try it,” Drac instructed.
Nyx followed his directions. Based on her previous experiences, they knew that for her skills to work, she needed to call upon them in her mind, rather than out loud—something that was not the norm. But Nyx was a very special girl, so it fit her perfectly.
She called upon Harmonic Convergence in her head, and a message popped up:
Would you like to use Harmonic Convergence?
YES/NO
She told Drac what she saw.
“Pick yes,” he said softly.
She nodded and chose yes.
Which skills do you want to combine? Please say them (can combine 2 or 3 skills to make an ultimate skill).
Drac told her what to say. “You’re going to combine Time Dilation and Time Stop.”
She repeated his words to the system.
Would you like to combine Time Dilation and Time Stop?
YES/NO
She picked yes.
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The system’s message flickered briefly before her, and her body began to emit a soft, ethereal glow.
“Combining skills…”
She held her breath, feeling the energy within her twist and churn as the skills merged together. A sudden warmth surged through her, spreading from her chest to the tips of her fingers.
The message appeared, and suddenly, Nyx started to glow. Light radiated from her, swirling around like a cocoon of pure energy. The Aetherlings gasped in awe as tendrils of silver and blue light wove around her form, casting long, shifting shadows on the cave walls. Len, Nabi, Suli, Ryu, and Guerim all watched, their eyes wide with wonder.
“It’s beautiful,” Nabi murmured softly, unable to look away.
“Look at her magic… it’s incredible,” Guerim whispered, his voice filled with pride.
Drac’s eyes narrowed, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of pride and concern.
Finally, a new message popped up:
Skill combined successfully.
New skill obtained:
Chrono Collapse.
This new skill combines the powers of Time Dilation and Time Stop into a single ability that allows the user to manipulate time within a defined area. When activated, Chrono Collapse creates a temporal field where the user can slow down time for themselves and allies (Time Dilation), while simultaneously stopping time for specific targets within that field (Time Stop). The skill grants precise control over the flow of time, enabling the user to move freely while enemies are frozen or heavily slowed.
Level: ????
She let out a deep breath, her body still tingling with the aftereffects of the merge. Looking up at Drac, she grinned.
“Drac, I did it! I combined them into a new skill—Chrono Collapse!” she announced excitedly.
Drac’s eyes softened, a rare smile ghosting across his lips. “Well done, little one. Your growth is… astonishing.”
Nyx beamed at his praise, her heart swelling with pride. “Thank you! I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“This is… interesting,” he murmured, deep in thought.
She beamed at him, pride swelling in her chest.
Her growth and skills are on par with a constellation’s. I wish I could see how much more you’ll grow, he thought to himself.
If only I had more time… If only I could be sure she’d be safe when it all begins.
With a deep breath, he forced those thoughts aside and turned his full attention back to Nyx. Today, he would make sure she mastered Chrono Collapse. There would be time for worrying later.
The Aetherlings cheered around her, their voices filled with excitement and encouragement. Nyx glanced at them, smiling brightly, then turned her full attention back to Drac. She was ready for whatever came next.
He nodded, his expression turning serious again. “Now, I’m going to teach you how to use it. This skill will require focus and precision. You’ll need to understand how to control the flow of time, not just for yourself, but for those around you as well.”
Nyx’s eyes sparkled with determination. “I’m ready, Drac. Teach me everything.”
She would make him proud.
***********************************************
It was now in the afternoon
The sun’s rays streamed through the sparse canopy above, casting a warm, comforting glow over the lush clearing at the back of Drac’s dwelling. Nyx stood with Drac, Len, and the Aetherlings in a meadow she didn’t even know existed. The scenery was breathtaking—the soft grass under her feet felt like a plush carpet, and the area buzzed with life. Small critters, usually shy and skittish, scurried away to give the group space, their curious eyes watching from a distance.
The air carried a crisp freshness, mingled with a scent Nyx found both unfamiliar and comforting at the same time. It reminded her of new beginnings and the essence of something ancient, something tied to the forest itself.
“This place is beautiful,” Nyx whispered softly, glancing up at Drac with wide eyes. “I didn’t know this was here.”
Len fluttered closer, his small wings shimmering in the sunlight. “You’ve only been focused on the dungeons, Nyx,” he teased gently. “There’s a lot more to explore if you look around.”
“Len’s right,” Suli added, her voice soft and melodic. “There are hidden gems everywhere in this forest, like this one. It’s good to take a break and appreciate them sometimes.”
“Yeah,” Nabi chimed in, hovering beside her. “Not everything has to be about dungeons and fighting monsters, you know?”
Drac’s imposing figure shifted slightly, his eyes never leaving Nyx. “That’s enough chatter,” he rumbled, his deep voice silencing the Aetherlings. “We’re not here for sightseeing.”
Nyx straightened up, giving Drac her full attention. She could tell by his tone that today’s lesson was going to be serious.
“Nyx,” he began, his gaze steady and intense, “there are some skills that come with a drawback. Your new skill, Chrono Collapse, is no exception. The drawback it comes with is called Temporal Recoil.”
She blinked up at him, curiosity mingled with a hint of nervousness. “Temporal Recoil?” she repeated quietly.
“Yes,” Drac confirmed, his voice firm. “After using this skill, you may experience temporary distortion in your own sense of time. This means your reactions will be delayed, your movements slowed, and your coordination disrupted for a short period. It will make you vulnerable, unable to act with precision, and prone to missing key moments in the aftermath.”
Nyx’s face paled slightly, her small fists clenching at her sides. She didn’t like the sound of that at all. “But… what if something happens while I’m like that?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Drac’s gaze softened just a fraction, noticing her fear. “There are ways to counter this,” he said, his tone gentler. “When this happens, you need to manage your energy. It’s called Energy Regulation. It will help you minimize the strain on the time flow and reduce the negative effects.”
Nyx nodded slowly, her fear giving way to determination. “Okay… so how do I do it?”
Drac looked down at her, his eyes reflecting a quiet pride. “I’ll teach you. But first, understand these principles.”
He began to outline the methods of controlling her skill, each word clear and measured, ensuring Nyx absorbed everything.
“First, make the area smaller. Only use Chrono Collapse in a small space around you,” he instructed, his voice calm and steady.
Nyx nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“Second, use it for a short time. Activate it in quick bursts instead of keeping it on for too long. This way, it won’t overburden your magic,” Drac continued.
“Short bursts… got it,” Nyx echoed, her voice firm.
“And finally, break it into parts. Use slowing time and stopping time separately, not simultaneously. This will reduce the energy cost and strain on your body,” Drac finished, his gaze never leaving hers.
She looked up at him, her silver eyes reflecting his figure. “So… if I do these things, I won’t get too tired, and the side effects won’t be as bad?”
“Exactly,” Drac replied, a rare, approving smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Now, let’s put it into practice.”
Nyx took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. She glanced at Len, Suli, Ryu, Nabi, and Guerim, all of whom were watching her with encouraging smiles. Len nodded, his eyes sparkling with pride.
“You can do it, Nyx!” Suli cheered softly, her delicate voice lifting the tension in the air.
“We’ve seen you handle tougher things,” Ryu added, his voice steady and reassuring.
Nabi grinned. “And besides, Drac’s teaching you. He’s the best at this kind of stuff.”
“Just take your time,” Guerim suggested calmly. “We’re here if you need us.”
Nyx’s chest swelled with warmth at their words. She turned back to Drac and gave a small, resolute nod. “I’m ready.”
“Good,” Drac murmured. “Now, activate your new skill.”
Nyx closed her eyes, focusing inward. She called upon Chrono Collapse, feeling the energy surge within her. The world around her seemed to blur for a moment, the air shimmering faintly as if it were alive.
“Now, shrink the area,” Drac instructed.
Nyx did as told, concentrating on reducing the radius of the skill to just a few feet around her. She felt the strain lessen almost immediately.
“Short bursts,” Drac reminded.
She deactivated the skill momentarily, then reactivated it in a quick flash. The sensation was intense but manageable.
“Separate the effects,” Drac commanded.
Nyx took a deep breath and willed only time to slow, not stop. The world seemed to move at a crawl, but she felt no overwhelming fatigue.
Drac watched her intently, his expression a mask of focus. “Good, Nyx. Very good.”
Nyx grinned, the excitement bubbling up inside her. “I did it! I really did it!”
Drac gave a slow nod, his eyes gleaming with pride. “Yes, you did. But don’t get complacent. Continue practicing until it becomes second nature.”
“I will!” Nyx promised, her voice filled with determination.
“Alright then,” Drac rumbled, taking a step back. “Let’s see how you handle it in a real scenario.”
Nyx’s eyes widened. “Right now?” she asked, a mix of excitement and nerves fluttering in her chest.
“Yes, right now,” Drac confirmed. “Now, show me what you’ve got, little one.”
With a deep breath, Nyx readied herself, her new skill humming just beneath the surface. She would show Drac that she was ready—that she could master her power. And as the air around her shifted and shimmered, she felt a surge of confidence, knowing that with Drac and the others by her side, there was nothing she couldn’t achieve.
“Bring it on!” Nyx declared, a fierce grin spreading across her face. “I’m ready!”
The meadow around them seemed to pulse with energy as Nyx prepared to take the next step in mastering her powers.