Extract from the -{ Tome of the ‘Forgotten One’ }- Divine scripture of the Church of the ‘Forgotten One’.
"When the path of illumination veers astray, heed the whispers of the forgotten truths that linger in the shadows, guiding the vigilant away from the allure of the false light." (The False Light 2:4)
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The mountain range loomed ominously, its peaks shrouded in an unnatural darkness that seemed to seep into the very air. It had been a month since Asher stumbled upon the colossal leviathan corpses, yet their presence still dominated the landscape. The death field radiating from their auras had only intensified, casting an oppressive pall over the once-vibrant wilderness.
Asher's boots crunched on the frost-covered ground as he made his way through the forest. The trees, once lush and green, now stood like skeletal sentinels, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. The air felt thick, almost suffocating, laden with the lingering essence of the fallen giants.
As he moved silently through the underbrush, Asher's senses remained on high alert. The forest had changed, becoming darker and more foreboding with each passing day. The weight of the death field pressed against his mind, a constant reminder of the unfathomable power that lay just beyond his comprehension.
The hunt had become increasingly challenging. Many of the low-level creatures had fled, driven away by the oppressive atmosphere that now permeated the area surrounding Asher's cave. He found himself venturing further and further afield in search of prey, his keen eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
A rustling in the nearby bushes caught his attention. Asher froze, his hand instinctively tightening on the shaft of his spear. Slowly, he crouched down, his muscles tensed and ready to spring into action. A moment later, a young Stonehorn Ram emerged from the foliage, its rocky hide glinting in the dim light.
Asher's breath caught in his throat. The beast was magnificent, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its armor-like coat. Its spiraled horns, capable of shattering boulders, posed a significant threat. For a moment, Asher hesitated, weighing the risk against the potential reward.
The ram's head snapped up, its nostrils flaring as it caught Asher's scent. In that split second, Asher made his decision. With a fluid motion born of countless hunts, he launched his spear. The weapon whistled through the air, finding its mark with deadly precision.
As Asher approached the fallen ram, a mixture of triumph and melancholy washed over him. The thrill of the hunt still coursed through his veins, but it was tempered by a growing weariness. He couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted within him since arriving in this brutal world.
With practiced efficiency, Asher began to dress his kill. As he worked, his thoughts drifted to the two unexpected additions to his life – the creatures that had hatched from the eggs he'd discovered. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he thought of their chubby, endearing forms.
The Void Kraken had mutated into a Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken, its obsidian black body perpetually shrouded in a dark, misty haze. Its bright red eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire, a stark contrast to its shadowy form. Asher had named it Inkara, or Inky for short, a clever fusion of "ink" and "Kraken" that seemed to capture its essence.
The Azure Snake had transformed into a Mistweaver Wyrmling, its sky-blue scales shimmering beneath a cloud of mist that clung to its serpentine body. Asher had christened it Jormungandr, or Little Jormu, inspired by the Norse myth of the world-encircling serpent. The name carried a weight of ancient power that resonated with the potential Asher saw in his serpentine companion.
Both creatures possessed the remarkable ability to float and levitate, enveloped in the haze that surrounded them. Asher couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at their effortless grace in the air.
As he finished preparing the ram for transport, Asher felt a sudden urgency to return to his cave. The thought of Inky and Little Jormu waiting for him, their needs dependent on his care, spurred him to move faster. It was a novel feeling, this sense of responsibility for something other than his own survival.
The journey back to the cave seemed longer than usual, the weight of his kill and his racing thoughts slowing his progress. As he approached the entrance, a warmth bloomed in his chest at the sight of two small forms eagerly awaiting his return.
Inky and Little Jormu launched themselves at Asher the moment he came into view, their bodies wriggling with excitement. Inky's tentacles wrapped around his arm, the creature emitting a series of bubble-like pops that Asher had come to recognize as sounds of happiness. Little Jormu coiled around his shoulders, its misty form cool against his skin.
"Hey there, little ones," Asher murmured, his voice rough from disuse. He hadn't realized how silent he'd become in the weeks since discovering the leviathan corpses. The sound of his own voice startled him, a reminder of how much he'd changed.
Inside the cave, Asher set about preparing their meal. The fire crackled to life, casting dancing shadows on the walls now adorned with the furs and hides of his previous hunts. The cave had transformed from a mere shelter into something resembling a home, a fact that both comforted and unsettled Asher.
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As the meat slow-cooked over the fire, filling the air with its savory aroma, Asher took a moment to clean himself up. The chill of the nearby stream helped to clear his mind, washing away the grime and blood of the hunt.
Returning to the cave, Asher settled by the fire with Inky and Little Jormu curled up in his lap. As he gently stroked their heads, he marveled at the bond that had formed between them. Their trust and affection warmed something within him that he hadn't realized had grown cold.
"You know," Asher said softly, his voice barely audible above the crackling of the fire, "I never thought I'd find myself here, talking to a kraken and a wyrmling like they were old friends." He chuckled, the sound rusty but genuine. "But I guess life has a way of surprising you, doesn't it?"
Inky responded with a series of rapid pops, while Little Jormu's tail swayed contentedly. Their reactions, so full of personality and understanding, never failed to amaze Asher.
As night fell, Asher found himself gazing up at the star-filled sky, Inky and Little Jormu nestled close beside him. The weight of his challenges – his inability to awaken, the mysterious system that governed this world, the looming presence of the leviathan corpses – seemed less overwhelming in the company of his companions.
To Asher's surprise, a system prompt declaring a beast contract appeared before his eyes.
[ Conditions for the Beast Contract have been fulfilled ]
[ Jormungandr, the Mistweaver Wyrmling, has accepted the contract ]
[ Inkara, the Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken, has accepted the contract ]
[ Beast contracts have been successfully formed ]
[ Application ‘Immortal’ is running ]
[ Application ‘immortal’ is attempting to upgrade the beast contract to the Blood Beast contract]
[ ERROR ]
[ Request denied ]
[ Application ‘immortal’ is attempting to upgrade the beast contract to the Blood Beast contract]
[ Conditions for upgrade are being checked ]
[ Awaiting response…]
[ Jormungandr, the Mistweaver Wyrmling, has accepted the contract ]
[ Inkara, the Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken, has accepted the contract ]
[ The beast contract has been upgraded to the Blood Beast contract ]
The mysteries of the creation system still eluded him, leaving him with unanswered questions about its workings and origins. Despite this uncertainty, Asher found solace in the companionship of his two creatures.
Sipping on forest berry juice, a poor substitute for the drinks he once enjoyed but refreshing nonetheless, Asher allowed himself a moment of peace. The cool night air carried the scent of pine and distant flowers, a reminder that life persisted even in the shadow of death.
"I guess not all is bad," Asher mused aloud, his fingers absently stroking Inky's smooth skin and Little Jormu's misty scales. The creatures snuggled closer in response, their presence a balm to the loneliness that had threatened to consume him.
As the days turned into weeks, Asher found himself settling into a routine. Each morning, he'd venture out to hunt, his skills growing sharper with every outing. Yet, despite his progress in other areas, the goal of awakening remained frustratingly out of reach. No matter how many beasts he felled or how much he pushed himself, that elusive breakthrough continued to elude him.
One particularly trying day, after a failed attempt to catch a Windwhisper Fox – its silver and white fur shimmering like flowing air as it effortlessly evaded his grasp – Asher returned to the cave in low spirits.
"I don't understand," he growled, pacing back and forth as Inky and Little Jormu watched him with concerned eyes. "What am I missing? Why can't I awaken?"
The creatures offered no answers, but their presence provided a strange comfort. Asher sank to the ground, his back against the cool cave wall. Little Jormu slithered into his lap, its misty form cool against his skin, while Inky nestled against his side, its tentacles curling around his arm.
As he sat there, surrounded by the furs of his past hunts and the warmth of his companions, Asher felt a shift in his perspective. Perhaps, he realized, he had been too focused on what he couldn't achieve, rather than appreciating the progress he had made.
His gaze fell on Inky and Little Jormu, noting how much they had grown in the short time since they had hatched. Their innate abilities, inherited from their formidable parents, were already beginning to manifest. Asher felt a surge of pride, mixed with a newfound determination.
"Alright," he said, his voice filled with renewed resolve. "If I can't awaken myself yet, then I'll focus on helping you two grow stronger. We're in this together, after all."
From that day forward, Asher dedicated himself to training Inky and Little Jormu. He created obstacle courses within the cave and surrounding forest, encouraging them to hone their levitation skills. He introduced them to different terrains and weather conditions, watching with satisfaction as they adapted and thrived.
As the weeks passed, Asher noticed significant changes in his companions. Inky's control over its shadowy mist improved dramatically, allowing it to create complex shapes and even use the mist as a form of camouflage. Little Jormu's ability to manipulate the mist around it grew stronger, enabling it to create small illusions and even affect the local weather on a minor scale.
Their growth filled Asher with a sense of purpose he hadn't felt since arriving in this world. The bond between them deepened, evolving into something that transcended mere companionship. They were a team, each member contributing their unique strengths to their shared survival.
As Asher prepared their evening meal, the savory scent of roasting Moonshadow Cougar filling the air, he reflected on their journey so far. The cave, once a bare shelter, now felt like a true home. Furs and hides adorned the walls, trophies of successful hunts that told the story of their struggles and triumphs.
Inky and Little Jormu played nearby, their movements more coordinated and purposeful than ever before. Asher watched them with a mixture of pride and wonder, marveling at how far they had come.
"You know," he said, addressing his companions as he often did now, finding comfort in vocalizing his thoughts, "I may not have awakened yet, but I think I'm starting to understand something important." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "Strength isn't just about personal power. It's about the bonds, the way we adapt and grow individually and together."
As if in agreement, Inky released a series of cheerful pops, while Little Jormu coiled itself affectionately around Asher's ankle. Their response brought a genuine smile to Asher's face, a rare occurrence in this harsh world.
The night deepened, and as Asher settled down with his companions, he felt a sense of contentment that had been absent for far too long.
As sleep began to claim him, Asher's last thoughts were of gratitude – for the unexpected companions that had brought light to his dark world, and for the lessons he was learning about strength, growth, and the power of connection. In this harsh and unforgiving realm, he had found something precious, something worth fighting for.
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[ The Stonehorn Ram: The Stonehorn Ram is a majestic and formidable beast, known for its immense strength and resilience. It has a powerful build, with muscles rippling beneath a coat that appears to be made of rocky armor. Its massive, spiraled horns are not just for show; they can shatter boulders and crush foes with ease.]
[ Moonshadow Couger: The Moonshadow Cougar is a sleek and graceful predator, its fur a deep, velvety black with faint silver markings that shimmer under the moonlight. Its eyes glow with an eerie, luminescent blue, piercing the darkness and striking fear into those who see them.
Preferring dense forests and shadowy mountains, the Moonshadow Cougar is most active at night. It is an elusive creature, rarely seen during the day, and known for its uncanny ability to disappear without a trace.]
[ WindWhisper Fox: The Windwhisper Fox is a stunning creature, its fur a mix of silver and white, giving the illusion of flowing air. Its slender, agile body is perfectly adapted for quick, silent movement. Its eyes are a piercing emerald green, sparkling with intelligence and curiosity.
The Windwhisper Fox is commonly found in open plains, dense forests, and mountainous regions where it can fully utilize the wind currents. It is most active during dawn and dusk when the winds are strongest. ]