"Ding!
"Sky's Status Loading..."
Sky's status:
Ether Capacity: 1%
Health: 82%
Stamina: 39%
--
Strength: Lvl.3
Agility: Lvl.5
Endurance: Lvl.7
Ether: Lvl.9
--
Skills:
Ether's Eye (Passive): Lvl.3
See the world from the perspective of ether.
Ether Manipulation: Lvl.1
Manipulate ether around you.
Strengthened by 'Ether's Acknowledgement'.
--
Titles:
A Touch of Darkness
Ether's Acknowledgement
While Avis was recovering, Sky decided to take a look at his status. He had completed the 'One with Ether' quest, so the next course of action is to prepare for the next quest. One which is not simple.
"What the hell? How are you only at 1% ether?! You even have titles?!" Avis asked in shock.
"Is that why I feel so weak?"
"No, that doesn't make any sense. The amount of ether you used should've only been 15%, maybe 20%, but it should only be a fraction of your total ether. Do your breathing and expand your titles. I want to see what they do."
"*Ding*
"Sky's Titles Loading..."
A Touch of Darkness:
Darkness hosts itself within everyone, but not many are marked by it.
Effects:
Within a dimension afflicted by darkness, luck increases by 10%. Outside of a domain plagued by darkness, luck decreases by 10%.
Warning:
This title will affect other aspects of user Sky's constitution. These effects are unknown.
--
Ether's Acknowledgement:
The user has been recognised by ether.
Effects:
The user can now synergise with ambient ether if only a little.
--
"Interesting... very interesting," Avis said, bobbing up and down. "So, it seems that you're more attuned to darkness than I thought. In that case, the Devils Domain would be the perfect place for you."
"What do you mean?" Sky asked.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
"Well, from what I know of the Devils Domain, It is a place of darkness. If you didn't have this title, only death would await you. But having a title completely changes things! Going into the Devil's Domain is just a trivial task for you. I guess the system isn't as stupid as it seems."
"Really?! Do you wanna head off now? It's still early morning, so I don't see why not!"
"Hang on. You still have to know what the darkness attribute is. You're way too impulsive; just slow down for a second."
"Okay, okay, I just don't want to be in this forest any longer than I have to."
"Look. I can't tell you how you got 'Ether's Acknowledgement'. I've never even heard of that title, but nevertheless, you have it. Ether is a combination of all attributes, except for one. The darkness attribute. It's widely known that it naturally detests darkness, and darkness detests ether. Thus, they are two completely different entities. There isn't a single being in this forest that can use ether with darkness simultaneously. Any but you… you're something else entirely. That 'Touch of Darkness' title is doing more than the system is letting you know."
"So, you're saying that I should go to the Devil's Domain because the darkness is most present there?" Sky asked.
"Yes, exactly."
"What about you, Avis? Won't you get affected by the darkness as well?"
"I don't have any darkness titles, but I'm much more experienced than you. I can handle myself."
"Okay then," Sky said with a loud clap, "let's go."
Avis guided Sky toward the Devil's domain. As they walked in that direction, Sky couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. He had a bad feeling about this, but he pushed on nonetheless. When they arrived at the edge of the domain, Sky could feel an eerie presence lurking within. It was as if something was waiting for him, taunting him to come closer.
"Be very careful in there, Sky. I'll be right by you." Avis said sternly.
"Let's just push forwards. There's no use in standing around here."
As they took their first step into the domain, Sky felt his body grow heavier. It was as if the darkness was trying to drain him of his energy. He could see Avis struggling as well, but he continued to push on. It only took a few moments within the Devil's Domain for Sky to feel his body lighten up. He thought his body could be getting used to the pressure, but then he remembered his title. The most likely explanation was that 'A Touch of Darkness' slowly adapted him to the darkness. As they continued further in, they started to come across more and more creatures. Some were floating in the air, some were crawling on the ground, and others were perched atop trees. But they all had one thing in common; they were all pitch black. A mirky aura emitted from their body, and Sky could feel an intense pressure emanating from them.
"What the hell are these things?!" He exclaimed in a whisper.
"Beats me. I've never seen anything like them before." Avis said, shaking his head.
Just as they were about to move on, one of the creatures detached itself from the tree it was perched on. It was a panther-like creature with large raven wings on its back and fangs as long as Sky's forearm. Its eyes were a deep red, and they seemed to be staring right through him.
It let out a blood-curdling screech before it walked away.
"I'm going to assume you don't know what that thing was either?" Sky asked, looking at Avis.
"No… But I'm more concerned about why they didn't attack us."
"Yeah, me too."
As they continued further into the domain, the creatures became more aggressive. They would hiss and screech as Sky and Avis walked by, but they never attacked. It was as if they were waiting for something. The more they walked toward the centre of the domain, the more creatures they started to see. There were all sorts of different shapes and sizes, but they were all black as night. The trees also showed obvious signs of being afflicted by the darkness. Thick black veins bulged from their trunks, and the leaves were all wilted and dying.
"What the hell is going on here?" Avis muttered under his breath. "It's as if they're waiting for permission or something?"
Just as he said that, a voice boomed from the clouds above.
"What are you doing in this ghastly domain?" The voice thundered.
The mirky clouds thickened, and the ground trembled.
Both Avis and Sky paled at the voice. It was as if a god had descended from the heavens. The sheer pressure of the voice was enough to make their knees buckle.
"W-We're just passing through." Avis managed to squeak out.
"You lie! No one comes to this domain without a reason!" The voice thundered again.
"I'm doing a quest Sky yelled out, trying to reason with the voice.
"A quest?" The voice said, sounding intrigued. "And what quest would that be?"
"The system wants me to save this part of the forest! I swear we are not here to harm anything!"
"Hmph, the soul system. That abominable thing." The voice said, sounding disgusted. "I sense darkness within you, boy. How can I trust someone who is within their own abyss?"
"I'm not sure, but I know that I need to do this. For the forest… and for myself." Sky said, trying to sound confident.
The clouds dispersed and the pressure lessened around them.
"You have guts, boy. I'll give you that." The voice said. "But I'm not going to let you just walk into this blasphemous domain. You must first pass my test."
"A test?" Sky asked, sounding apprehensive.
"Yes, a test of courage. If you can make it to the centre of this domain without turning back, then I will let you pass." The voice said. "But if you so much as take one step back, then you will be trapped here forever."
"What?! How is that fair?!" Sky exclaimed.
"It doesn't have to be fair. It just has to be done." The voice said. "So, what do you say? Are you brave enough to take my test?"
"Do it," Avis said with narrowed eyes. "We don't have a choice."
"Fine," Sky said, clenching his fists. "I'll do it."
The creatures in the domain all let out a screech at once. It was as if they were cheering Sky on.
"Very well," the voice said. "The test begins now."
The ground trembled and the trees started to bend and twist. The wind picked up and howled around them. It felt like they were in the eye of a tornado.
"What's happening?!" Sky shouted over the wind.
"Hang on!" Avis yelled back.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them gave way, and Sky instinctively started to run towards the eye of the storm. Avis was right behind him, and the creatures were close on their heels. It was a race against time, and failure wasn't an option.