Hidden away from prying eyes, deep within an underground chamber illuminated solely by the soft glow of crystals dangling from the ceiling, an event of great significance unfolded.

In the center of the chamber, Kasumi sat in the traditional Eastern posture known as 'Seiza'. Before her lay a small table, bearing a knife and two cups.

She sat there serenely, her eyes closed in meditation, unbothered by the fact that she was almost naked, wearing only a black D-cup bra and a pair of matching panties.

Her long, black hair cascaded down her back, and the soft glow of the crystals bathed her in a gentle light. With her fox ears and two fluffy tails on display, her allure and beauty were unmistakable, befitting her title as "The Flower of the East".

All attendees were gathered within the chamber, arranged in an orderly fashion along the walls. With the exception of Viper and Marcus, they weren't allowed to be here, deemed mere tools to be used no more.

Aron had instructed them to return to the ruined castle beneath Larton and await further instructions. However, he had been generous enough to reward them with a few gold coins and provisions for themselves and others. Despite being considered mere tools, they had performed admirably during the mission.

Thyra and Victoria stood among the girls inside, their presence tolerated by Aron, as he held deep respect and trust for his mentor, and Thyra's maid happened to be the sister of the evening's protagonist.

"Let us begin," Aron declared abruptly, addressing the Fox Yokai.

He stood bare-chested, clad only in a pair of black trousers, his raven hair cascading loosely around his shoulders, his intense crimson gaze fixed upon Kasumi as he approached.

Kasumi opened her eyes, meeting Aron's gaze with a sense of longing and desire. This was her moment, the culmination of a lifetime of anticipation. Without a word, Aron took his place opposite Kasumi, settling upon the floor. The chamber seemed to hum with energy as they prepared for the ritual ahead.

Reaching for the knife, Kasumi's slender fingers wrapped around the hilt with reverence. With a steady hand, she made a small incision on her palm, allowing the blood to well up and drip into one of the cups.

Then she made another incision on her right shoulder where her tattoo lay. The tattoo, a simple depiction of two halves of a circle, one black and the other hollow, remained unconnected. Kasumi carefully made her cut between them.

Once finished, Aron took the knife and mirrored her actions, filling the other cup with his own blood. Kasumi waited patiently for him to complete, and when Aron placed the knife on the table, she bowed deeply, placing her head on the floor.

"I, Kasumi of the Clan Kage, pledge my allegiance to the Nameless Dragon. With the power of my ancestors, I shall serve as his shadow, his blade against his foes, faithfully until my last breath," Kasumi declared, her voice echoing softly throughout the chamber.

Aron nodded solemnly, accepting her oath. "And I, The Nameless Dragon, shall honor your loyalty and accept Kasumi of the Clan Kage as my Shadow, my blade, and my family." With each word, Aron's appearance gradually transformed, until he sat there in his Draconic form.

The girls' eyes widened in awe as they beheld the two majestic black and red wings stretching out from Aron's back. The hexagon-shaped red crystal pulsed with energy, casting an ethereal glow in the chamber, reflecting the depth of his power and determination.

Shocked, Victoria turned to her Lady, attempting to inquire about it, but Thyra silenced her with a raised finger to her lips.

'She knows? Of course,' Victoria quickly understood, arriving at the same conclusion as Pethra, who observed them surreptitiously from afar.

With the exchange of vows complete, Kasumi lifted her head from the floor, her heart swelling with pride as she beheld her master in his true form.

With a steady hand, she raised the cup containing Aron's blood, the crimson liquid swirling within like a tempest captured in glass. She waited until Aron lifted the other cup and drank her blood.

Smiling, she brought the cup close to her lips. And without hesitation, she consumed its contents in one gulp.

Instantly, Kasumi felt a surge of energy suffuse her being, infusing her with strength and resolve. It was as though she had become one with the very essence of her master, bound by blood and magic to serve him faithfully until the end of her days.

She examined the tattoo on her shoulder and, upon seeing the two halves connect to form a complete circle, tears welled up in her eyes. It was confirmation that the spirit of the Yokai accepted their bond.

Victoria, witnessing the ritual. felt a swell of pride and joy in her heart. To see Kasumi embrace her heritage and fulfill her destiny brought a tear to Victoria's eye, knowing that her sister had found her place in the world.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Badump!

"Eh?"

A loud heartbeat reverberated from the center of the chamber. Victoria narrowed her eyes, observing her sister clutching her chest tightly. Before she had a chance to voice her concern.

BOOM!

An explosion of dark energy erupted, consuming all the light inside the chamber. Panic gripped those present when their sight was gone along with every other sense. Fortunately, before the panic could escalate further, everything returned to normal.

As the darkness receded and the chamber returned to its eerie illumination, all eyes turned toward the source of the disturbance. The sudden explosion of dark energy had left everyone on edge, their senses heightened as they sought to understand what had just transpired.

"What's that?" a girl from the back suddenly exclaimed, pointing towards the center of the chamber. Near Aron, where Kasumi had been standing, a dark energy dome had formed.

Aron's gaze flickered towards the dark energy dome. With a subtle gesture, he motioned for everyone to remain calm. He sensed Kasumi's presence within, her energy intertwined with the mysterious force that now surrounded her.

"Kasumi!" Victoria exclaimed, concern evident in her voice, as she attempted to approach the dome. Aron, however, raised a hand to stop her.

"Do not interrupt her," he commanded with his eyes fixed on the dome. Aron could sense Kasumi undergoing a transformation, her aura pulsating with newfound power that seemed to resonate with the darkness surrounding her.

Victoria's concern was palpable, her gaze flickering between her sister and Aron, uncertainty clouding her features. She longed to rush to Kasumi's side, to ensure her safety and well-being, but Thyra's firm hand held her back, a silent command to trust the man.

Crack!

It didn't take long for the cracks to appear on the dome's surface, causing anticipation to ripple through the chamber like a wave crashing upon the shore. Each fracture seemed to herald the birth of something new.

And then, with a final shudder, the dark energy dome shattered, dissipating into the ether-like mist melting beneath the morning sun. In its place stood Kasumi.

"Well, this is intriguing," Aron remarked with a smirk, observing Kasumi's new form.

As Kasumi stood in the chamber, basking in the aftermath of her transformation, the changes to her physical form were undeniable, each one a testament to the power she now wielded.

She grew taller and Her once slender frame had gained a newfound strength and athleticism, her muscles toned and defined beneath her smooth skin. Her curves had become more pronounced, her breasts grew to the point that her bra couldn't contain them anymore.

Her features, once delicate and ethereal, had taken on a more commanding presence. Her cheekbones were sharper, her jawline more defined, lending her an air of confidence and authority that demanded attention.

She also gained two more tails, confirming to Victoria that her sister had evolved. However, what captured everyone's attention was something else entirely.

Behind Kasumi's back, stretching with grace and might were two black draconic wings. Each wing stretched out with immense power, their span vast and imposing, casting a shadow that seemed to envelop the entire chamber.

Aron approached Kasumi, gently lifting her chin with his hands, meeting her eyes with his intense gaze.

"I don't think I can call you My little fox anymore," he said playfully, running his fingers along her new curved back horns.

Kasumi remained silent, her gaze fixed upon her master. She couldn't explain the emotions coursing through her, nor did she have control over her actions. Unbeknownst to her, the pupils of her eyes had taken on a reptilian appearance.

Without warning, Kasumi leaped at Aron, sealing his lips with her own in a passionate kiss that ignited a fire within both of them.

Aron was taken aback by the sudden boldness of Kasumi's actions, but he quickly responded, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. It was a primal desire brought forth by her transformation. When that desire was sated, Kasumi snapped out of her state.

"!!!" She quickly broke the kiss and tried to escape, but Aron held her tightly against him, their bodies pressed together in a heated embrace. Kasumi's heart raced as she struggled to break free from the overwhelming rush of emotions coursing through her veins.

"P-Please, master, let me go," she managed to say, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"No, you are my shadow now, so you must get used to being close to me," Aron whispered teasingly in her ear, "Very close."

Kasumi's cheeks flushed even deeper at Aron's words, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't deny the allure of his closeness…But…But…

'Not now, and not in front of everyone,' her mind was in turmoil. 'I want to disappear NOW!' she exclaimed inwardly.

And strangely, something did happen. Kasumi began to sink slowly into the shadows, her form blending seamlessly with the darkness that surrounded her. It was as though the shadows themselves were welcoming her, offering her a refuge from the intensity of the moment.

Aron's eyes widened in surprise as he witnessed Kasumi disappearing into his shadow.

"Kasumi?" he called out, amused.

"Y-Yes, Master?" her voice resounded in his mind.

"Can you come out?"

"N-No, I want to stay here for a few minutes, maybe hours, or forever."

Aron chuckled at her response. "But staying in the darkness for too long isn't healthy, yes?"

"I don't think so, Master. It's cozy in here," Kasumi's mental voice sounded tired. "I'm going to sleep for now."

"Alright, sweet dreams," Aron replied, realizing that the transformation must have taken a toll on her. Turning to the people present in the chamber, he spoke to ease their worry.

"She's fine, just asleep."

A collective sigh of relief escaped from most of them.

Clap!

Aron clapped his hands, gaining their attention.

"Girls! You have accomplished the impossible and succeeded in the test I presented to you."

"A promise is a promise."

Smiling warmly, he continued, "I officially welcome you into our family."

The girls displayed joyful smiles, bowing to him in unison. "Thank you, Master."

"However, do not let this victory get to your heads. You had time to study your opponents well, their strengths and weaknesses."

"This will not happen every time."

Raising his hand, he added, "For this, I offer you my blood."

The girls exchanged puzzled glances.

Observing their confusion, Aron elaborated further, "My blood has the power to evolve and push your limits beyond what you thought possible. It will grant you strength, resilience, and bring forth your hidden talents."

From his inventory, Aron pulled a glass pot. With the knife, he made a cut, filling the pot with his blood. "I won't force you to take my blood, but for those who wish to, please step forward."

Almost all of them stepped forward, with only the elves remaining in their place—The twin sisters Luna and another Elf—Scarlett and Mia, also remained rooted where they stood.

Seeing the burning desire for more strength in their eyes, Aron smiled, presenting the glass pot.

"Drink and be reborn."