Upon touching the ground, the frigid wind persisted in its constant caress. The distance to the dome, now more evident, seemed challenging. I took the moment for a careful inspection of my bow and arrows, while observing Mei Feng make her own preparations.
"There must be something beyond this dome. If the information you gave me is correct, this should be the limit of this so-called God-forsaken land," I murmured, immersed in deep reflections on the purpose and nature of this enigmatic dome.
"It's strange to be able to walk towards the edge of this dome so casually. Has no one ever done this?" I inquired, advancing with an intrinsic sense that this entire journey was beyond the ordinary, a unique experience that escaped established norms.
"What do you know about this dome?" I directed the question to Mei Feng, hoping to find more concrete answers. However, the response emerged through the voice of my inner self.
"In fact, she doesn't know anything about this dome. Nothing in her memory relates to it," clarified the Wall Face, using Mei as an involuntary interlocutor.
"Well, damn," I grumbled, deciding that, for now, uncertainty about the dome would persist. However, hunger insinuated its growing presence, making it imperative to deal with it before continuing our explorations.
"Let's look for some prey around here. We need to feed before exploring further," I suggested.
The walk through the snow continued, my gaze focused on the majestic dome that defined the horizon. Silence pervaded the environment, broken only by the soft crunching of snow under our steps. The absence of wildlife heightened the enigmatic aura of the God-forsaken land, as if the ecosystem itself was in tune with the mysteries surrounding that place.
"Mei, does she know anything beyond her own language? I feel like this will be a constant here," I murmured, contemplating the figure beside me as we walked towards the dome.
"Let me touch someone who speaks the language, and I can consume their memories," Mei suggested, her sweet voice carrying with it an intriguing proposal. I realized the complexity of this new ability, pondering the possibilities it could unveil.
"But you, with every passing minute, have an extremely useful ability. It's almost a Deus Ex Machina," I commented ironically, acknowledging the undeniable utility that my inner self provided.
The frozen landscape stretched around us, but something caught my attention. Mei, with an unchanged expression, interrupted our thoughts.
"Aidan, someone is watching us," Mei announced, her words cutting through the silence. My mind sharpened instantly.
"What? Where?" I inquired, instinctively reaching for the bowstring under the cloak, preparing for any eventuality.
"How many?" I asked, maintaining my steady pace while scrutinizing the environment for the observers.
"5 or 6, they're on the other side of the dome," Mei informed, adding an element of suspense to our journey. I narrowed my eyes, trying to discern the figures watching us from a distance, on the other side of the dome. The shroud of mystery covering this place seemed to deepen with each step, and the presence of these observers conferred an aura of intrigue and caution to our path.
We continued advancing, the snowy landscape reflecting the sun's rays filtering through the clouds. Every step in the soft snow seemed to echo in the quietness of the environment, creating a unique symphony that accompanied the mysteries of this peculiar place.
"Mei, about that ability you proposed... it's something we can explore later. For now, we need to understand what's beyond this dome and who those people watching us are," I suggested, staying alert while considering the options at our disposal.
The journey continued, and the view of the dome became more imposing with every step. As we approached, the distortion between the two sides became evident. The dome seemed to separate two distinct worlds, one within its sphere and another beyond its borders. Curiosity mixed with a sense of unease as the nature of this phenomenon challenged known natural laws.
"Can we cross this dome?" I questioned, my mind working to unravel the mysteries surrounding this seemingly transcendental limit.
Mei Feng remained by my side, her constant presence, but her lack of knowledge about the dome added another layer of mystery to this already intriguing enigma. The silence between us became dense, fueled by the complexity of what lay before our eyes.
As we got closer to the dome, I noticed details that escaped casual observation. Marks, patterns, and subtle changes in the snow's texture on the ground revealed an invisible border that extended to the dome. It was as if the terrain itself responded to the presence of this colossal dome.
"Mei, do you sense anything? Any changes in the mist?" I inquired, hoping her peculiar connection could provide some clues about what was happening. However, Mei remained silent, her expression indicating a lack of understanding.
We decided to get closer, eager to touch the dome and understand the truth behind this enigmatic barrier. Upon reaching the invisible border, a strange sensation coursed through my body, as if a gentle electric current ran across my skin. I stood still for a moment, trying to comprehend this new experience.
"Mei, did you feel that?" I asked, but she remained impassive, unable to perceive the change. I touched the surface of the dome, and a wave of subtle energy ran through my hand. The feeling was both intriguing and unsettling, as if the dome held secrets that would only be revealed to those willing to challenge it.
"This is truly incredible," I murmured to myself, observing the contour of the dome extending as far as the eye could see. However, the presence of the observers still lingered in my mind, a constant reminder that even in the face of unknown wonders, there were challenges to be faced.
We decided to follow the periphery of the dome, exploring its limits in search of an entrance or some revelation about what lay beyond. With each step, the terrain responded, revealing a peculiar connection between the dome and the surrounding environment.
After exploring the dome's limits, I stopped in front of it, feeling the peculiar texture of the barrier. With an intrigued look, I pressed my hand against the dome as if testing the resistance of an invisible membrane. To my surprise, applying a little more pressure, my hand passed through the barrier as if it weren't there. A flicker of suspicion crossed my eyes as I looked at Mei.
"What's the matter?" I questioned, withdrawing my arm back inside the dome.
"She is marked. Those who are marked cannot leave the land of exile," explained Mei, her expression revealing a complexity of emotions.
"Can you remove that mark from her?" I inquired, turning my attention back to Mei while pondering the implications of this revelation.
"It might be possible, but it would take too long. Let me retract her into the mist," Mei proposed, her eyes fixed on me.
I nodded, squinting my eyes at this new possibility. I tapped the ground, allowing my mist to start seeping out, while I watched Mei approach me as if about to hug me. Her body began to dissolve into mist, an intriguing spectacle I witnessed as my cloak swallowed Mei in the smoke.
"Man, how many things am I going to discover today?" I whispered to myself, watching the scene with a mixed feeling of surprise and curiosity. I felt the energy from within me resonate within my body, a peculiar fusion leaving a trail of questions in the air.
"Do you intend to use her as a host too?" I questioned as I crossed the dome again, feeling the membrane giving in to my pressure.
"It's a possibility. Do you want me to completely mimic her personality?" echoed the voice of my inner self in my mind.
"Not exactly. But technically, you're not my past self, right?" I questioned, feeling the dome accepting my passage as my face emerged on the other side. The landscape on the other side of the dome unfolded before my eyes, evoking a sense of apprehension.
"I am something beyond that, a considerable fragment of you. As I didn't have time to fully assimilate your body, a new one might be useful, even if connected to you," Mei explained as I finally crossed completely through the dome. The unfolding scenery on the other side triggered a new wave of restlessness in my mind.
The environment outside the dome was notably different. The snow gave way to lush vegetation and landscapes that contrasted with the icy scenery inside. A feeling of bewilderment took hold of me as I absorbed the striking differences between the two sides of the barrier.
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"This is... unbelievable," I murmured to myself, feeling the breath of nature pulsating around me. However, my attention was quickly diverted to the presence of the observers Mei had mentioned earlier.
Upon examining the surroundings, I realized that, in addition to the change in landscape, there was something more notable. The figures watching us, once visible only from inside the dome, were now sharper. There were five or six individuals, wearing garments that seemed to blend with the natural elements around them. Their fixed gazes on us betrayed cautious curiosity.
"Mei, they're still there. And now they seem more... real," I commented, observing the observers with growing caution. The mystery of this place, far from being deciphered, seemed to expand into new dimensions.
My sharp gaze followed the group member who was quickly moving away, a clear sign that something was about to happen. The distant sound of voices among them, accompanied by the abrupt action of an individual distancing themselves, generated a palpable tension in the air.
"It looks like they're about to pull something off," I whispered to myself, touching the string of my bow with an alert expression. Hunger was a constant presence, but getting into an unnecessary confrontation could bring even greater problems.
"Damn, I'm hungry and don't want to get into a fight for no reason. What are the chances we'll get screwed in this?" I hissed, expressing my concern while contemplating the possible ramifications of this situation.
"Exiles cannot leave the land of exile. If discovered, they will be sent back," Mei said, conveying the gravity of the situation directly to my mind.
"Damn. Alright... I probably won't have enough energy for all of them," I admitted, starting to mentally calculate the energy cost of this potential confrontation. I clicked my tongue in frustration, aware that my energy reserves were limited.
"Let me handle the drain. Just touch one of them, you should be able to handle the rest," Mei suggested, offering a strategic solution to the situation.
"Fine," I agreed, dissolving the mist cloak that surrounded my body. In an agile move, I advanced quickly, taking the bow off my back as I prepared to act. It was crucial to precisely calculate the hit on the group member who was running.
Firstly, I analyzed the speed of the moving target. I estimated that they were about 30 meters away and running at a constant speed of approximately 5 meters per second. I took into account the trajectory, mentally adjusting the aim to anticipate their movement.
The force needed to reach my goal depended on various factors, such as the distance and the target's speed. Using a simple calculation of kinematics, I determined that I would need to apply sufficient force for the arrow to hit the target during its course, taking gravity into account.
Considering air resistance and the arrow's weight, I adjusted the bow's inclination to ensure an accurate trajectory. With each passing second, the group member moved away, intensifying the need to act quickly.
With all variables considered, I determined that a force of approximately 220 Newtons would be needed to hit the moving target. I adjusted my bow, mentally measuring the amount of force needed to pull the string, ensuring maximum accuracy.
Without hesitation, I released the arrow, watching it cut through the air toward the moving group member. The characteristic sound of the bow releasing its energy echoed through the environment as the arrow flew toward the target, following a precisely calculated trajectory. The group's cries echoed as the arrow hit its mark, striking the running member and abruptly halting their escape.
"Okay, let me calculate..." I murmured to myself as I prepared to face the others. I quickly assessed the position of the remaining group members, evaluating the best strategy to confront them and ensure our safety in that mysterious land.
With only two arrows remaining, the need to engage in close combat became undeniable. I skillfully swung the bow in my hand, feeling the tension of the string under my fingers. My eyes focused on the remaining group, determined to neutralize the imminent threat.
I planted my foot in the snow, preparing for the impending confrontation. The pressure on the snow under my feet indicated the intensity of the energy I was about to unleash. I took a deep breath, focusing on the mist gathering in my form, ready to be shaped according to my will.
!
I advanced towards the group with determination, the mist cloak flowing around me as I approached swiftly. I pulled one of the arrows with agility, aware that close combat would require precision and speed. The group members were already close, their expressions ranging from surprise to hostility.
"The pressure should be enough just to knock them down," I declared to myself, focusing on the task unfolding before me. I pulled the bowstring once again, performing the necessary mental calculations to ensure the arrow hit its target with the right force.
Firstly, I observed the enemies' positions and the speed at which they were approaching. At approximately 15 meters away, the arrow's effectiveness depended not only on the applied force but also on the angle of impact.
I adjusted the bow's inclination, calculating the force needed for the arrow to have a sufficient effect. Taking into account air resistance and the arrow's weight, I adapted my strategy to face the unfolding close-quarters combat.
With the pressure built up on the bowstring, I released the arrow, watching it fly with speed and precision towards the first opponent. The released force made the impact enough to knock the enemy down, who fell to their knees in the snow, momentarily neutralized.
However, the situation was far from under control. The rest of the group continued to advance, and I prepared for the imminent confrontation. However, one of the enemies showed unexpected cunning. Using an improvised weapon, they managed to intercept the arrow aimed at them, breaking it in mid-air with a precise movement.
"Damn," I whispered as I quickly adjusted my strategy. The situation became more complex, with one of my limited resources destroyed in the air. This required an immediate adaptation of my approach.
I stepped back slightly, assessing the change in battle conditions. I still had one arrow ready, but now I faced a closer and more alert group. With a quick analysis, I decided to focus on using the mist more strategically, seeking to disorient and neutralize the opponents.
Seconds unfolded in slow motion as adrenaline pulsed through my veins, my mind absorbing every detail of the battlefield. The enemies, now aware of my presence, advanced with fierce determination. The cold of the environment contrasted with the heat of the tension in the air.
With the arrow broken by one of the opponents' skillful moves, I realized I needed to improvise. There was no room for hesitation, and the sight of those advancing towards me became a chaotic symphony of agile movements in the snow.
My heightened senses captured the sound of the opponents' fast and panting footsteps, the snow being compressed under their feet. Shadows danced on the white-covered ground, each representing an imminent threat.
Without wasting time, I plunged into my mist, temporarily transforming into an ethereal form. The sight of the confused enemies was visible through the dense mist as I planned my next move.
I emerged abruptly from the mist, holding the arrow that had knocked down one of the opponents. The cold metal contrasted with the heat of the impending battle. One of the enemies advanced, determined expression, and I didn't hesitate.
With a fluid and precise movement, I used the arrow as an extension of myself, hitting my target with a precise blow. The arrowhead penetrated the flesh, and a sharp cry echoed in the icy landscape. The violence of the blow was visceral, a cruel dance of survival.
While the first one fell, the battle continued to unfold. The remaining enemies redoubled their efforts, responding to the unforeseen threat. Close-quarters combat was now a chaotic dance of improvised blades and brutal strikes.
The mist surrounding me became an extension of my strategy. At strategic moments, I transformed again, escaping imminent attacks, only to reappear elsewhere, disorienting my adversaries.
The improvised arrow became an extension of my will, an improvised blade in the deadly dance unfolding. Each move was calculated, each blow delivered with intense ferocity.
Blood stained the snow around us, a grotesque painting marking the battlefield. The fierceness of the fight was accompanied by the icy silence of the environment, interrupted only by the agonizing moans and grunts of the combatants.
The scene painted in red and white witnessed the outcome of the battle, but the last opponent still resisted, holding a bloodied sword. My expression, now tinted with determination, approached them with decisive steps. The broken arrow dripped with blood, a somber reminder of the recent conflict.
With a smile that seemed to intensify in the face of the imminent confrontation, I dissolved my body into mist. The opponent's vision clearly showed his confusion as his sword attacked the void, attempting to strike an evasive and ethereal presence.
Like an alchemist recreating their essence, I reshaped my body after passing through the mist. In a precise movement, I grasped the opponent's head, pulling it down while my smile persisted. The palm of my hand met his face in a decisive impact, echoing through the now silent landscape.
I dissolved my mist into his body, a fusion of essences unfolding before my eyes. The opponent struggled, a fierce resistance against the invasion of the mist. His attempts to strike me were like desperate blows in a void of shadows.
"Mei, do it," I commanded, as the mist penetrated deeper, enveloping his essence. The opponent continued to struggle, an uneven battle between intertwined wills. His resistance slowly faded, subdued by the relentless force of the mist entwining with his existence.
From my mist, I witnessed the transformation in the eyes of the man now under the influence of the mist. His eyes took on a grayish hue, a clear sign that the fusion was complete. I released my hand from his face, watching as he began to struggle, manifesting the effects of the forced union with the mist.
"And then, did it work?" I asked, releasing the broken arrow on the ground and wiping the blood from my hands on the man's clothes, now under my control.
"Yes, I now have a full understanding of their language. Do you intend to fill them with the mist too?" Mei echoed in my mind, offering possibilities that echoed beyond that isolated battle.
"I could really create an army with this, couldn't I?" I murmured, bringing my hand to my chin as I pondered the potential of this newly discovered ability.
"It all depends on your control. He is not strong enough for that," Mei explained, bringing to light the need to master this newly revealed facet of my powers.
I walked towards the bloody battlefield, where the bodies of the defeated lay as dark remnants of the ruthless conflict. Looking at the scene, I determined that it was time to decide who would be the next to merge with the mist.
"See which one of them is the most useful, and let's consume his body," I ordered, staring at the carnage I had just created. The choice of the next host would be crucial to ensure that the mist aligned with my intentions.
I approached the battlefield, my steps echoing in the quietness that followed the conflict. The bodies, now mere empty carcasses, witnessed the outcome of the ruthless fight. My mist floated around me, an ethereal presence that maintained silent control over the man now under its influence.
Among the lifeless remains, I examined each of the fallen enemies, pondering which one would be the most useful to become an ally in my journey through this desolate land. Observing the frozen expressions on their faces, I looked for signs of skills or characteristics that could be advantageous.
My choice fell on one of the men who, during the battle, demonstrated an unusual skill with an improvised blade. His movements were agile, and the confidence in his gaze indicated previous combat experience. This skill could be valuable to face the unpredictable challenges presented by this mysterious land.
"That one," I pointed to the chosen one, a still-warm body lying in the snow. Mei, sensing my choice, began guiding my mist towards the selected man. His body still pulsed with the final remnants of life.
The mist began to envelop the body, a silent dance of ethereal particles intertwining with the lifeless flesh. Fusion was inevitable, a union between the essence of the mist and the remaining memory of the fallen man.
As the process unfolded, I could feel the man's consciousness being absorbed by the mist. His memories, his skills, now became an extension of my own existence. A stream of information flowed into my mind, a newly established connection to the most intimate corners of the human experience he carried with him.
After the fusion was complete, the man, now integrated with the mist, began to rise from the ground. His eyes acquired the characteristic grayish tone of the mist's influence. He remained still, awaiting my instructions, a manifestation of the control I now exerted over him.
"You are now an extension of the mist, a loyal ally," I declared, watching him absorb the reality of his new existence. "Your knowledge and skills will be valuable. Call me Aidan, and this is Mei Feng."
The man nodded, his eyes revealing a mix of confusion and acceptance. It was clear that the transition to this new form of existence was not easy, but over time, he would become accustomed to the unique nature of his condition.
"Are you going to give him a personality?" Mei questioned in my mind.
"I don't intend to; just change his face to something different and control him as well," I replied, initiating the process of sifting through the memories of the man who was now my ally.
"Heaven, huh?" I murmured upon discovering the name of the continent. With a smile, I already had a mental map of the nearest city. I turned to the man newly integrated into the mist and sighed.
"Your name... let me think... Shen... Shen Yue... you'll be my personal guard," I declared, watching his appearance transform. Horns emerged on his head, mimicking the ones I had created myself.
"Mei, how is your Exile mark?" I asked as I resumed walking. The drain during the battle had been low with Mei in control, and approximately 8% of the total energy had been consumed.
"It should revert soon. I'll use Shen's body in the meantime," Mei replied as Shen's eyes began to glow. The mist enveloped his body, forming an ethereal cloak around him.
"All right," I murmured, continuing to walk.