Extract from the -{ Tome of Light }- the divine scripture of the Church of Light.

"In the shadow of their transgressions, mortals stumble amidst the darkness of their souls. Embrace the brilliance of my divine radiance, where sin evaporates like mist before the sun, and purity blooms in the hearts of the faithful." (The Faults in Man - 3:2)

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The passage of three days without Inky and Jormu felt like an eternity to Asher. The once-familiar cave now echoed with an oppressive silence, each sound amplified in the absence of his companions. To combat the creeping loneliness, Asher threw himself into the rhythms of survival with a fervor that bordered on desperation.

The dense forest became his refuge and battleground. Asher stalked through the underbrush, his footsteps muffled by years of fallen leaves. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation. As he tracked elusive game, every snapped twig and rustling branch set his nerves on edge, a constant reminder of his solitude in this alien world.

Nights proved to be the most challenging. Without the comforting presence of Inky and Jormu beside him, the darkness seemed to press in from all sides, threatening to suffocate him. Asher found himself drawn to the open sky, where the vast canopy of stars offered a silent companionship that eased his restless mind.

He would sit on a worn-out log, its rough bark digging into his skin, a makeshift cup of juice cradled in his calloused hands. The sweet-tart liquid was a poor substitute for the companionship he craved, but it grounded him in the moment. His eyes traced the constellations above, their flickering dance a reflection of his own tumultuous thoughts.

"Where are you guys?" Asher whispered to the night sky, his voice barely audible above the chirping of nocturnal insects. "I hope you're safe out there."

The absence of Jormu's playful coiling around his arm and Inky's mischievous gestures left an aching void in Asher's daily routine. He found himself talking to the empty air, imagining their responses, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips as he recalled their unique personalities.

As dawn painted the horizon with hues of gold and pink, Asher would reluctantly retire to his makeshift bed. The furs that once provided comfort now felt rough against his skin. Wrapped in the solitude of the night, his mind racing with possibilities and concerns.

"Please come back soon," he murmured into the stillness, his words a prayer to whatever forces governed this strange world.

On the fourth day, Asher stirred from a fitful sleep, an unfamiliar weight on his chest pulling him from his dreams. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the cave's dim light. What he saw made his breath catch in his throat.

There, nestled on his chest, were Inky and Jormu, fast asleep and significantly smaller than when they had left. Inky's dark skin gleamed with an otherworldly sheen, while Jormu's blue scales shimmered softly in the cave's subdued light. The sight of them, safe and sound, sent a wave of relief washing over Asher.

Questions raced through his mind like wildfire. Why had they returned smaller? What had they encountered during their absence? Yet, for now, he pushed these thoughts aside, savoring the moment of their safe return.

As Asher's breathing pattern changed, the two little creatures began to stir. Their drowsy eyes met his, and suddenly, childish voices echoed in his mind, clear as day.

"Dad, you're up!"

The word 'Dad' hit Asher like a physical blow, momentarily robbing him of speech. He blinked rapidly, trying to process this new development. After a moment, he gathered himself, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

'Guess I'm a single father now,' he thought, the absurdity of the situation not lost on him.

Gently, he stretched out his hands, placing them on the two beasts' heads. The touch was light, almost reverent as if he feared they might disappear again.

"Welcome back," Asher said, his voice hoarse from disuse. The words came out as little more than a croak, but they were filled with warmth and relief.

The two 'children' were visibly delighted by Asher's welcome, snuggling against his hands with enthusiasm. Their voices, bubbly and excited, continued to flood his mind.

"We missed you a lot!"

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"We became a lot stronger!"

"Did you miss us, Dad?"

The barrage of mental chatter was overwhelming, yet Asher found himself reveling in it. He stroked their heads gently, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"Yes, I missed you guys a lot," he admitted, his voice growing stronger with each word.

As he basked in the joy of their reunion, Asher's curiosity got the better of him. He focused his mind, calling upon his identification skill to understand the changes his companions had undergone.

The information that materialized in his mind left him reeling:

[ Abyssal Shadow Dweller (semi-awakened): The Abyssal Shadow Dweller is an embodiment of darkness and terror, born from the deepest recesses of the void. Evolving from a Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken, this creature has transcended mere nightmares to embody malevolent power.

It lurks within the darkest realms, cloaked in an aura of consuming darkness that devours light and hope alike. Its mastery over shadow, space, and void magic is unparalleled, capable of ensnaring prey with ethereal tendrils that reach across dimensions.

Encounters with the Abyssal Shadow Dweller are marked by an oppressive atmosphere, where silence itself seems to bend to its will. Crimson eyes gleam with insatiable hunger, instilling fear in all who behold them. Legends speak of its relentless pursuit, whether in the depths of the ocean or on land, striking with lethal precision from the shadows.

Only whispered in tales of horror and caution, those who dare seek it out do so at their peril, for once it fixates on a target, escape becomes an elusive dream.

Current Status: Juvenile, content ]

Asher's mind reeled as he processed this information. The creature nestled against him, now identified as an Abyssal Shadow Dweller, seemed at odds with the terrifying description. He turned his attention to Jormu, and another set of information appeared:

[ Ethereal Drakling (semi-awakened): Evolved from the Mistweaver Wyrmling, the Ethereal Drakling is a creature of elusive mysticism and haunting allure. Originating from the realm of spirits, it transcends its former existence as a Mistweaver Wyrmling to attain greater mystical prowess.

Legends and tales swirl around this creature, describing its ethereal presence as a harbinger of shifting mists and spectral illusions. Once concealed within mountain mists and valley fogs, it now navigates the realm of shadows and dreams with uncanny grace. Its transformation imbued it with the ability to induce hallucinations that twist reality itself, ensnaring the minds of those who encounter it.

The Ethereal Drakling's misty aura is not merely a veil but a potent weapon, capable of distorting perception and weaving intricate illusions that confound even the most stalwart warriors. Tales of its encounters speak of ghostly apparitions and eerie sounds that haunt both waking moments and dreams, ensnaring prey in a suffocating embrace of confusion and fear.

This creature's mastery over its mist has elevated it to a realm of strategic brilliance, where battles are won through illusion and deception. Its presence on the battlefield is a shadowy enigma, capable of turning the tide with a whispered breath and a flicker of ethereal mist.

Current Status: Juvenile, Content ]

Asher's head spun as he tried to reconcile these descriptions with the small, affectionate creatures before him. "Just what are you two?" he muttered, half to himself. "Pokémon?"

As he examined them more closely, Asher noticed the dramatic physical changes they had undergone. The crystals that once adorned their bodies were gone, replaced by striking new features.

Inky now sported a purple, vertical, eye-shaped mark on its forehead. Below this, four additional red eyes had emerged, bringing the total to an unsettling six. Two new arms had sprouted, elongated to twice the length of its body and thinner than the original eight. These new appendages lacked suckers and terminated in long, sickle-like black blades with a hint of purple. The Kraken's glossy black body now bore a subtle purplish hue, enhancing its menacing appearance.

Jormu's transformation was equally dramatic. Her serpentine body had thickened noticeably, and the once glossy azure blue scales now sported a whitish hue with ghastly blue borders and finishes, reminiscent of the wraiths and specters they had encountered. Her facial structure had evolved into a blend of snake and dragon features, transforming her into a striking spectral drakling.

"You've both changed so much," Asher breathed, his fingers tracing the new patterns on their skin. "But why are you smaller now?"

Their voices chimed in his head, explaining that they hadn't actually shrunk. They had learned to manipulate their mass, making it more convenient to be near Asher. They assured him they could return to their regular size when needed, and even increase their size beyond normal, though at a significant energy cost.

Asher nodded, trying to process this information. "That's... quite impressive," he managed, his mind still reeling from the implications of their new abilities.

As they ventured outside to hunt for food, Asher received his biggest shock yet. Near the bone cave, where the corpses of the two giant beasts had been, there was nothing but empty space. The massive bodies that had served as landmarks in their strange new home had vanished without a trace.

"What happened here?" Asher asked, his voice tinged with confusion and a hint of alarm. "Where did the bodies go?"

Jormu's response was cryptic, her mental voice carrying a note of mischief. "We're conducting experiments, Dad. We'll share the results when we're ready."

Before Asher could press for more details, she added, "We used a little more than half of the beast crystals and soul crystals we gathered together."

Asher felt a pang in his chest at the loss of their hard-earned wealth. For a moment, he struggled to keep his composure, reminding himself that these creatures were more valuable than any crystals. 'Maybe they'll cook up some kind of miracle,' he thought, clinging to hope. 'Besides, it's not like I had any current use for the crystals... right?'

As they continued their exploration, Asher checked the Blood Beast contract status, discovering that both creatures had upgraded their bloodlines to "Epic" status. While he wasn't entirely sure what this entailed, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at their progress.

This new information helped Asher piece together the system's grading structure. It seemed to progress from common to uncommon, elite, rare, and now epic. He made a mental note of this hierarchy, wondering what other levels might exist beyond epic and how high the ceiling might go.

As the week progressed, the trio fell into a new routine, their bond deepening with each passing day. Asher found himself marveling at the way Inky and Jormu seamlessly blended their terrifying new abilities with their childlike affection for him.

During one of their forest surveys, as they searched for new prey to hunt, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. In the dappled shadows of the dense foliage, they spotted an awakened beast - a potential kill that could significantly boost their strength and resources.

Asher felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension course through him. This could be their chance to truly test the limits of their new abilities, but it also carried significant risk. As he crouched in the underbrush, his heart pounding in his chest, Asher turned to his companions.

"What do you think?" he whispered, his voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. "Are we ready for this?"

The mental voices of Inky and Jormu resonated with confidence and eagerness. Their response was unanimous: they were ready for the challenge. As Asher nodded, steeling himself for the impending battle.