Kinsey made her way back to her room, and she couldn't help but admire the flower in her hands. The petals were as vibrant and unique as a rainbow, each one seeming to emit its own subtle glow. The fragrance of the flower filled her senses, a soothing and comforting scent that brought a sense of calm to her weary mind.
As she walked, her thoughts were filled with the events of the day - the training sessions, the transformation of the stone, the vase floating in the air…
She entered her room and sat on the bed, setting the flower on the nearby nightstand. She couldn't shake the feeling of accomplishment and excitement from her first successful use of the Dark Void's power, but she also couldn't ignore the subtle sense of anxiety and uncertainty that lingered.
The training sessions with Nyx and Sylvie were intense and demanding, and Kinsey knew that there were plenty more to come.
The following day arrived, with Kinsey awakening to the sound of her alarm. As she sat up in bed, the memories of the previous day's training session returned, along with a renewed sense of determination and anticipation. She then thought back to Kairy's soul being split by Cassie's attack.
Dammit, she thought. Why did that have to happen when I could have stopped her?
Kinsey stopped herself mid-thought and scowled.
No, that would have never even happened if that new bitch didn't come into the picture and steal my shine in the first place. Fuck them.
She got up, washed her face, and got dressed, making her way to the room where she usually met Nyx and Sylvie for training.
As she entered the room, Kinsey found Nyx already there, sorting through a stack of books and notes on a nearby table. Sylvie was also present, perched on the back of a chair, her wings fluttering anxiously.
Nyx looked up as Kinsey entered, her gaze fixed on her. "Good, you're here," she said. "Are you ready for today's training?”
Kinsey nodded, her expression filled with determination. "Yeah, I'm ready," she responded, her voice steady and confident.
Sylvie, perched on the chair, couldn't hold back her excitement any longer. "Can we start already?" she exclaimed.
"Patience, Sylvie," Nyx responded, her tone firm but patient, accustomed to Sylvie's impatience. She turned her attention back to Kinsey.
"Today, we're going to show you how to infect a World Core with Darkness. By corrupting World Cores with Darkness, the Dark force will be able to reign supreme and snuff out the force of Light, giving us, the Dark forces, full dominion of the overtaken worlds.”
As Nyx speaks, outlining her plan for Kinsey to learn to corrupt World Cores with Darkness, Kinsey's eyes are filled with a mix of determination and hunger. The thought of having the power to infect and take control of other Worlds, all to exact her revenge, is a tantalizing prospect.
"Corrupting the World Cores," Kinsey repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're saying I can make them ours, make them obey us, make them submit to the Darkness?”
Sylvie chimed in, enjoying how Kinsey responded. "That's right, little one. Once you learn to tap into the Darkness, you can corrupt the World Cores one by one. Imagine the power it would give you, the control. You could make them bend to your will, make them do whatever the Dark forces want.”
Kinsey's eyes darkened, her mind already racing with the possibilities. She wanted that power, that control, more than anything. It would be the key to her vengeance.
"How do I do it?" she asked, turning to Nyx. "How do I learn to infect a World Core?”
"Patient, aren't you?" Nyx said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But good. Your eagerness is to your advantage. The first step is to understand how to commune with the World Core, to reach out to it through the conduit between the world and the Void of Darkness. You must let the Darkness flow through you, channel it into your very being, and then use it to infect the World Core.”
Kinsey nodded, absorbing every word. "I see. I have to let the Darkness consume me, use it as a conduit to infect the World Core."
Sylvie smirked. "If you can manage it. The Darkness can be unpredictable, especially for a newbie like you. It will pull at your mind and soul, tempt you with promises of power and control. Are you sure you're ready to dance with the shadows, little one?”
Kinsey bristled at Sylvie's words, her determination only strengthening. "I'm not some weak little girl," she snapped. "I'm prepared for whatever the Darkness throws at me. I will control it, not the other way around. I have to. I need this power to get my revenge.”
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"Strong words," Sylvie said, her smile widening. "But let's see if they hold up when the Darkness comes calling. Nyx, shall we begin the training?"
Nyx nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, let's get started. Kinsey, are you ready to take the first step?”
Kinsey squared her shoulders, her heart racing with anticipation. "Yes," she said firmly. "I'm ready. Show me how to commune with a World Core and infect it with Darkness.”
"Very well then," Nyx said, reaching out one hand and creating an artificial, miniature World Core. "Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Focus your thoughts on this World Core, imagine it within your mind. Allow the Darkness to flow through you, filling every fiber of your being. Reach out to the World Core, to its essence, and try to connect with it, to infect it with the Darkness.”
Kinsey obeyed, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath as Nyx instructed. She focused her thoughts on the World Core, imagining its powerful presence in her mind. She could sense the Darkness within her, eager to be unleashed.
She felt a strange connection forming, a bridge between her mind and the World Core. The Darkness within her seemed to call out, seeking to cross that bridge and infect the Core.
"Good," Nyx's voice came through the silence. "You're doing well. Keep focusing on the World Core, let the Darkness flow through you. Don't try to control it yet, let it flow and guide your actions."
Sylvie watched from the sidelines, a sly smile on her face. "Feeling the pull, little one? Can't you feel the Darkness trying to take over and make you its little puppet?”
Kinsey clenched her jaw, trying to ignore Sylvie's words and remain focused. The pull of the Darkness was strong, intoxicating and seductive. But she fought it, refusing to let it control her.
"I can handle it," she said through gritted teeth. "I won't let it control me. I'm in charge here, not the Darkness.”
Nyx nodded, her eyes never leaving Kinsey's face. "Good. Keep fighting it, but don't try to shut it out completely. The Darkness is a part of you now, and you need to learn to coexist with it. Allow yourself to feel its presence, but do not let it control you."
Sylvie chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. "Oh, look at you, all strong and defiant. But let's see how long that lasts when the Darkness gets a taste of your soul.”
Kinsey felt the Darkness grow restless within her, like a wild animal trying to break free. It was almost overwhelming, the power and the urge to let it take over. But she forced it back, channeling her focus on the World Core.
She reached out, extending the tendrils of the Darkness towards the Core, seeking to corrupt it. The resistance from the Core was strong, holding her back from taking control.
"Don't force it," Nyx advised. "Try to subtly influence the World Core, to whisper to its essence and offer it the power of the Darkness. Let the Darkness infiltrate its being slowly, making it yearn for more.”
Kinsey took a deep breath and focused on the advice, changing her approach. Instead of forcing the Darkness into the World Core, she began to subtly influence it, trying to tempt and lure it into embracing the power of the Darkness.
The Darkness in Kinsey's mind whispered promises of power and control, its soothing sibilant tones calling out to the World Core. The Core seemed to waver, its resistance slowly giving way to temptation.
"Yes, that's it," Nyx encouraged. "Keep whispering to the World Core, let the Darkness weave its web around it, making it crave the power you're offering.”
Kinsey continued to focus her thoughts, her words becoming more seductive, more promising. The Darkness whispered words of domination and destruction, painting a picture of what could be achieved once the World Core was infected. The World Core, its defenses crumbling under the onslaught, began to give in. Kinsey could feel its resistance weakening, its essence slowly being corrupted by the Darkness that she was channeling through her mind.
Sylvie cackled with glee, watching the scene unfolding. "Look at that! The little one is actually doing it! The Darkness is infecting the World Core! I can feel the shift in the balance, can't you?”
Nyx remained focused on Kinsey, her expression stern. "She's doing well, but don't get too excited. The World Core hasn't completely given in yet. There's still some resistance she needs to break through before the infection is complete.”
Kinsey could feel the pull between the World Core and her own mind growing stronger, almost like a tug of war. She could sense the Darkness getting closer to victory, but the World Core continued to resist, holding on to its last remnants of purity.
Kinsey doubled her efforts, pouring more of her focus and determination into the battle, her eyes still tightly shut.
The Darkness within Kinsey roared with satisfaction, sensing the imminent victory over the World Core. It flooded her thoughts, encouraging her to push harder, to finally break the Core's resistance.
"Almost there," Nyx encouraged. "Keep going, you're almost there.”
Beads of sweat dripped down Kinsey's face, her mind straining as she poured all of her remaining energy into the struggle. She could feel the last remnants of the World Core's resistance falter under the onslaught of the Darkness.
At last, with a mighty mental push, the last vestiges of resistance crumbled. The World Core succumbed to the Darkness, falling under Kinsey's control, its bright center turning pitch black.
Sylvie clapped her hands together in excitement. "Oh, well done, little one! Look at you, infecting a World Core like a natural."
Nyx gave a small, approving nod. "Yes, you've done well. You've successfully infected the World Core with the Darkness and taken control of it.”
Nyx nodded. "Yes, you have successfully infected the World Core. But remember, it is only the first of many. There are still other Worlds that need to be corrupted, and you will need to repeat this process with each one.”
Sylvie chuckled. "Oh, the little one looks a bit tired. Don't you worry. You'll have plenty of time to rest in between missions. After all, we don't want you collapsing before the fun even starts.”
Kinsey scowled at Sylvie's mockery. "Don't underestimate me," she snapped. "I can handle this, and I'll infect every single World Core if I have to. I'm not weak.”
Sylvie held up her hands in mock surrender. "Oh, don't get so defensive, little one. I was just teasing a bit. But let's be honest, you do look a bit drained right now.”
"And no one said you were weak, Kinsey," Nyx interjected, her tone firm. "But it's important to remember your limits. Make no mistake—the process of World Core infection is draining, both mentally and physically. You must learn to pace yourself and not overextend your abilities.”
Kinsey took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She knew Nyx was right. The process of corrupting the World Core had taken a toll on her, and she could feel the exhaustion setting in. But she refused to admit weakness in front of Sylvie.
"I'll be fine," she said firmly. "I won't let exhaustion slow me down. I can handle this.”
"And speaking of mistakes," Sylvie chimed in, her sly smile in place. "We wouldn't want you screwing up and accidentally corrupting yourself now, would we?”
Kinsey's eyes narrowed at Sylvie's words, a small wave of fear washing over her. "What do you mean, corrupting myself? Is that even possible?”
Sylvie chuckled wickedly, clearly enjoying Kinsey's discomfort. "Oh, very much so, little one. If you're not careful, the Darkness could take hold of your own mind and soul, turning you into its puppet. And trust me, you don't want that to happen.”
Kinsey felt a cold shiver run down her spine as Sylvie's words sunk in. The thought of losing control of herself, of being consumed by the very thing she was using in her journey to save Kairy, was terrifying.
"Huh…you may be annoying, but at least you said something useful. So how many of these World Cores are there?" Kinsey asked, a hint of trepidation in her tone.
Sylvie chuckled. "Oh, my dear, there are countless Worlds out there. The universe is vast and endless. Your work is only just beginning.”
Kinsey's heart fluttered at the thought of the sheer number of Worlds she would have to corrupt. But her determination flared up, refusing to be daunted.
"I'll do it," she said, her voice firm. "No matter how many there are, I'll make them all submit to the Darkness.”
"That's the spirit," Nyx said, the hint of a smile on her lips.
Sylvie cackled with delight. "Oh, I can already picture the look on the Light side's faces when they see your handiwork! The despair, the horror! It will be glorious.”
Kinsey felt a flicker of guilt at the thought of causing such despair, but she quickly pushed it aside. She had sworn to save Kairy and get revenge, and this was the path she had chosen to take.
"I'll make them all bend to my will," she growled. "They'll regret ever crossing me. Just te
ll me the first World and I'll corrupt its Core.”
Nyx nodded, her eyes darkening slightly. “Very well, young one. Your first World shall be…”