Dream, after countless tries and even achieving a form of enlightenment that granted him his own unique Aspect, extended his hand once more toward the valkyrie. This time, he activated his newly acquired skill with unwavering confidence.
Blessing of the Guardian Dragon: Synergy initiated…
Blessing of the Guardian Dragon: Synergy completed.
A golden glow began to emanate from his palm, followed by a radiant golden glow that enveloped both of them, creating an ethereal connection between Dream and the lifeless guardian valkyrie before him.
Blessing of the Guardian Dragon: Alteration initiated…
Blessing of the Guardian Dragon: Alteration Completed.
With Dream proceeding to the next steps of his skill, it became apparent that this skill, unlike [Blessing of the Guardian Dragon], did not immediately turn the valkyrie into liquid Odo that would be absorbed by Dream during the third step of the skill execution. Instead, something unexpected and extraordinary occurred.
The valkyrie, who had moments ago appeared lifeless, suddenly came to life with a shocking jolt. Her eyes widened, and she began gasping loudly, as though she was being possessed by some otherworldly force.
Molten Odo began to emerge at the surface of her skin, and within a matter of seconds, her entire body was covered in a shimmering layer of golden Odo.
The phenomenon left Dream with a sense of wonder, and while he wasn't entirely certain he fully comprehended its intricacies, much like his previous experiences with newly acquired aspects, he had an instinctive grasp of how it functioned.
Blessing of the Guardian Dragon: Incorporation Initiated…
Dream watched in astonishment as the valkyrie's body underwent a remarkable transformation. The molten Odo seemed to meld with her very being, infusing her with an otherworldly energy. Her form began to change, and her once lifeless body now pulsed with vitality.
As the transformation continued, Dream could sense a secondary and immense reservoir of Odo building. It felt like having a second reservoir of Odo available to him, with the only difference that it wasn’t within him, it was external to him, in other words, within the valkyrie itself.
Blessing of the Guardian Dragon: Incorporation Completed.
With one final surge of energy, the transformation reached its zenith, and the valkyrie's form began to rise autonomously before Dream. Startled, he instinctively took a step back, locking eyes with the being that stood before him. The face was unmistakably that of Resi'ma, but the vacant gaze she returned reminded Dream of Ninjara, or more precisely, the spectral remembrance he had created of Ninjara to accompany him for four long years. Unnerved by the gaze, Dream desired to see it gone, and in that moment, almost as if responding to his unspoken wish, the valkyrie's volition caused her to raise her hand to her face, creating a layer of Odo that covered all her facial features.
Although the sight was unsettling, Dream realized that what now stood before him was neither Resi'ma nor Ninjara. It was something entirely different, with its own distinct essence and abilities. It wasn't just an Odo wielder, nor was it merely a valkyrie. It was... "a battle maiden," Dream declared, giving a name to the entity that had emerged from the transformation.
***
Name
HP
O.P
O.M.P
⥈
146
3675▲/9718
1860
"Pat me," Dream mentally commanded.
The Battle Maiden's hand gently patted him on the head. Curiosity sparked by this newfound connection, he decided to test the limits of his mental command.
Name
H.P
P.P
O.P
O.M.P
A.P
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Level
Dream
327/327▲
2118▲/3269▲
2854▲/5214▲
1036▲
2308/3708▲
19
"Pat me again," Dream thought, this time attempting to dodge her hand. However, much to his surprise, her hand landed on his head once more. Feeling somewhat challenged by his own order, Dream tried to evade her hand again, only to have the same result—her hand landing on his head. He repeated the operation five more times, each time with the same outcome. No matter how he moved or tried to avoid her touch, her hand unfailingly landed on his head.
It was as if the Battle Maiden's reactions were perfectly synchronized with his thoughts, in many layers transcending the act of just mirroring his own actions and intentions.
I guess this pretty much confirms what I’ve been thinking.
The Battle Maiden, in many ways, resembled the spectral remembrance Dream had created of Ninjara. Both entities possessed a degree of autonomy, with the ability to act independently within the confines of their given purpose. Dream had designed the ghost of Ninjara to fulfill his need for companionship, to give him orders and missions, and to provide him with a sense of purpose. In turn, the ghost had taken on a life of its own, carrying out these tasks with an eerie but undeniable semblance of sentience.
As he observed the Battle Maiden, Dream couldn't help but draw parallels between the two entities. They both seemed to exist beyond the mere boundaries of his own thoughts, capable of independent action and decision-making. It was as if he had stumbled upon a unique form of consciousness—one that could bridge the gap between his own desires and the actions of a separate being.
Back then, Dream had been reluctant to acknowledge that the entity he had created as a remembrance of Ninjara wasn't truly her and never could be. Despite being aware of this fact, he had clung to the hope that somehow, it could replace the void left by her absence. Today, however, Dream viewed things through a different lens.
"You’re not exactly something new…" Dream muttered to himself, awed by the profound connection he now shared with the Battle Maiden. “You’re more like an extension of my own consciousness.”
The implications of this discovery filled him with a sense of wonder and curiosity, and he couldn't wait to explore the extent of their connection further.
"Let's try some more," Dream said to the Battle Maiden, a curious glint in his eyes.
Indeed, Dream was no longer the same as he used to be. He had come to terms with his own existence, no longer needing someone or something to give him a purpose. He knew why he was here and what he wanted. And right now, what he wanted was to understand the extent and limits of the Battle Maiden before him.
***
For the next few days, Dream observed the Battle Maiden meticulously, cataloging her strengths and limitations in his mind:
If there was one strength the Battle Maiden possessed that Dream could immediately point out, it was first and foremost, she possessed exceptional physical resilience. While not as invulnerable as her Valkyrie counterpart, her toughness was undeniable, especially with the layer of Odo that now covered her body. This protective layer made her body as sturdy as Dream's own Odo limbs, offering her formidable defense in combat.
Another strong aspect of the maiden valkyrie that grabbed his attention was while being an extension of him, which, with the golden thread connecting him to her, made their connection similar to that of a puppeteer to a puppet. She had her own separate source of Odo energy, different from Dream's. While it might not be as vast as the Guardian Valkyrie's reserves, it was still quite substantial, even surpassing his own.
On the flipside, the Battle Maiden possessed a limited level of self-awareness and autonomy, though full consciousness eluded her grasp. She demonstrated an ability to perform tasks independently, but her decision-making processes were intricately linked to the subconscious desires of Dream himself. Her every action and capability danced to the tune of his thoughts and desires, an obedient extension of his will. She could not defy his intentions; her primary role was to assist him.
Oddly, she appeared devoid of emotional responses like fear. Dream suspected this was due to her understanding that he had no intention of inflicting harm upon her beyond the point of no return. He experimented with unleashing bolts of lightning at her, but her reactions remained minimal. It was clear that she couldn't be deceived; she was an embodiment of his own mind.
Another limitation was her inability to talk. Although Dream felt like he could make her speak, much like he did with the spectral manifestation of Ninjara, he believed it would be pushing the masquerade too far. Thus, he was content with her physical presence and silence.
Furthermore, the Battle Maiden possessed limited adaptability. Her ability to adapt was confined to combat and immediate actions. While she could adjust to different combat situations to some extent, she couldn't engage in complex problem-solving or strategic planning.
Lastly, without Dream’s directive, her awareness seemed limited to the immediate environment and combat scenarios. She couldn't comprehend larger contexts or situations beyond the present.
As Dream considered these strengths and limitations, he began to see how he could effectively use the Battle Maiden in battle.
She was without a doubt, a valuable addition to his arsenal, perhaps even the most valuable of them, and he was eager to explore her abilities further. While she might not match up to a Valkyrie, she was a formidable powerhouse, especially in close combat, a skill he wasn't particularly good at. This would give him time to plan and execute long-range attacks. He even saw the potential to use her as a distraction if needed, a useful tactic to divert an opponent's attention. She could be a reliable combat companion, an extension of himself focused on assisting him in battle. There were many possibilities, but at that moment, there was one particular experiment Dream wanted to try.
With a graceful movement of her golden wings, the Battle Maiden scattered shimmering golden dust as she landed before Dream.
His gaze shifted between the faceless Battle Maiden and her wings, Dream issued a vocal command, "Pick me up."
In response, the Battle Maiden reached out her hands and effortlessly lifted Dream off the ground. For a brief moment, Dream stayed quiet, absorbing the sensation of being carried by the Valkyrie.
"It's less awkward than I expected," Dream murmured, genuinely surprised. It felt like he was being held by both someone else and himself. In a way, it reminded him of the way he felt when propelled by his own aero-elemental winds.
Held securely in her arms, Dream looked up at the vast blue sky above them. Then, he pointed in the sky’s direction and gave another command, "Fly!"
The Battle Maiden obeyed without hesitation. Her wings beat rhythmically, creating a strong gust of wind and scattering shimmering golden dust as they soared into the sky. As they ascended, Dream couldn't help but recall his recent and not-so-pleasant experience with a flying Valkyrie, causing him to instinctively close his eyes and hold onto the Battle Maiden tightly.
They continued to ascend until the maiden came to a stop. When Dream finally opened his eyes, he was greeted with a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the landscape below.
Up there, high in the sky, with the wind rushing past him, Dream felt an indescribable sense of freedom. The world below seemed to shrink, its vastness reduced to mere details, and the worries of the ground felt distant and insignificant. The cold air that surrounded him went unnoticed, overridden by the sheer exhilaration of the moment.
As he looked below, the world appeared small and contained, like a map he could hold in his hand. But when he turned his gaze ahead, it was as if the world stretched out infinitely before him. The horizon seemed to extend endlessly, inviting him to explore and discover the mysteries that lay beyond.
Amidst the rushing wind and the breathtaking view below, Dream extended his arms and exclaimed, "This is it! This is what I've been talking about!"
His words were carried away by the wind, with no answer coming back to him, but in that moment Dream couldn’t care less.
His blue eyes shone with a newfound sense of purpose, and a contented smile graced his lips. This was the sight he had longed for, the feeling he had yearned to experience. It silently affirmed that he was on the right path, that his journey was leading him to the places he had always dreamed of, both literally and figuratively. The world was vast, filled with countless aberrations and monstrosities that only waited to tear him apart but at the same time it was also filled with countless wonders, and he was determined to explore every corner of it, slaughtering who and what will have to.