Qilin
As space contorted around me, I felt the disorienting sensation of teleportation, my body tumbling across unfamiliar terrain as the distortion ceased. Slowly, I rose from the ground, my form still bearing the bruises of battle with the formidable 6-star beast.
Thoughts swirled in my mind, pondering how Lucifer could possibly contend with such a foe alone, but my musings halted as I opened my eyes.
What lay before me defied mere description. It was a forest, yet unlike any I had ever beheld. Instead of verdant greens, the foliage bore a mesmerizing hue of royal purple.
The magnetic allure of the forest's magical aura captivated my gaze instantly, drawing me deeper into its mysterious depths. Each leaf seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape.
Abruptly, the sound of footsteps jolted me from my reverie. Startled, I turned my head in astonishment, perplexed by the stealthy approach of something that had eluded my senses until now.
As I focused on the source of the disturbance, a figure emerged from the shadows with a grace that belied its size. It was Luna, the Qilin, her ethereal form radiating a gentle luminescence that illuminated the purple-hued forest around us.
With a regal bearing, Luna drew nearer, her presence commanding attention and respect. Her mane shimmered like strands of moonlight, casting an enchanting glow upon the surroundings. As she drew closer, I could see the intelligence and wisdom gleaming in her eyes, a testament to her ancient lineage and mystical nature.
In her presence, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, as if the very essence of serenity had descended upon the forest. Luna exuded an aura of tranquility, her gentle footsteps echoing softly against the forest floor as she approached me with an air of curiosity and benevolence.
The ground trembled ever so slightly beneath Luna's hooves, a subtle tremor that sent shivers down my spine. The air itself seemed to crackle with unseen energy as she drew closer, the very forest holding its breath in her presence. Her presence resonated with the strength of one who had reached the pinnacle of existence, likening to that of Alastor's. It was a revelation that left me speechless, awestruck by the sheer magnitude of her presence.
Her gaze swept over me, and I found myself transfixed, unable to articulate my thoughts in the presence of such a legendary being.
"How peculiar," Luna mused, tilting her head slightly. Despite her gentle demeanor, there was an undeniable authority in her voice that spoke of her unparalleled status. "I had expected the other young man to arrive here, not you."
"You mean Lucifer?" I ventured, surprised by her knowledge of events beyond the forest's confines. Such details had never been explicitly stated in the tales I'd heard.
"The one destined for kingship," Luna affirmed with quiet certainty. "Yet, it is you who stands before me, having reached the waypoint instead of him."
I lay still, lost in contemplation as Luna's gaze lingered upon me. With a slight squint, she lifted me effortlessly with her magic, tending to my injuries with a gentle touch that belied her immense power.
"How intriguing, young one," she whispered, drawing closer until her eyes, reminiscent of swirling nebulae, met mine.
"What do you mean?" I managed to stutter out, my voice barely above a whisper.
"It seems conversing in this form is challenging for you," Luna sighed softly, a storm gathering around her before dissipating to reveal her true form—a breathtaking woman with hair as purple as her Qilin mane and eyes that held the same mesmerizing depths.
Even in her human guise, the aura of power that surrounded her remained undiminished.
"My eyes grant me insight into the fates of beings," Luna explained, her voice calm yet tinged with an air of mystery. "But your fate eludes me. I cannot see how your story will unfold, and it perplexes me."
I listened in silence, anticipation mounting as Luna turned her gaze towards me.
"Somehow, your path remains veiled to me," she concluded, her words hanging in the air with a weighty significance.
"What does that mean for me?" I inquired, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
"It means your destiny lies within your own hands," Luna replied, her tone solemn yet tinged with a hint of intrigue. "You possess the power to shape your own fate, for better or for worse. You are not bound by the constraints of destiny like others are."
Her words struck me with a profound sense of revelation, shaking the very foundation of my beliefs. To hear such a declaration from one who could peer into the threads of fate itself was nothing short of staggering.
Desperation clawed at my throat, choking back any semblance of pride. "Luna," I rasped, my voice barely a whisper, "I need that beast's will. It's not just for me, but for everyone counting on me. Please, grant me this chance. I won't let you down."
"So, I shall take a chance on you as well," Luna chuckled softly, ignoring my actions as she drew closer until her fingers lightly touched my forehead. A wave of dizziness washed over me, my knees growing weak as my consciousness began to slip away like grains of sand.
"Show me what you're capable of."
My mind went blank, the world around me fading into a haze as a strange voice echoed within the confines of my consciousness.
"Well, well, it seems he's acquired Luna's beast will this time around," the voice, neither distinctly male nor female, reverberated with a sense of intrigue. "Interesting indeed."
A shiver ran down my spine as I struggled to make sense of the disembodied words. Who was speaking, and why were they inside my head?
"Huh, he didn't lose all consciousness," the voice continued, its tone laced with curiosity. "Well, I suppose I'll have to make some adjustments to his memories—"
Before I could grasp the full implications of the voice's words, darkness enveloped me, swallowing my consciousness whole.
I woke up to find myself lying on my back, greeted by the sight of Luna's timeless beauty. Well, most of it, anyway—something obscured part of her face from my view. And my head? It rested comfortably in her lap.
"Why?" I couldn't help but ask, a mix of confusion and curiosity in my voice.
"I heard human males enjoy this, so I thought I'd give it a try," Luna replied with a tilt of her head, her tone innocent yet tinged with amusement.
She wasn't entirely wrong.
"How are you feeling?" she inquired, her gentle touch soothing as she caressed my head, much like a mother comforting her child.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding honestly, "Honestly, I feel about the same."
It was a surreal experience, being cradled in Luna's embrace, but somehow, it felt strangely comforting. After all, in Luna's eyes, I was nothing more than a newborn in need of nurturing and guidance.
"Try activating [Lucent Harmony] now," Luna suggested, her voice gentle yet firm. "Reach into your silver core, where you'll find the insignia imprinted by my beast will. Guide purified mana particles to it to activate the skill."
I followed her guidance and activated [Lucent Harmony].
In an instant, my senses surged to life, sharpened to a degree I had never experienced before. I could sense the ambient mana around me and harness it to fuel my attacks, despite not yet reaching the <Integration > stage. It was as if a whole new world of mana had unfolded before me.
"This is incredible!" I exclaimed, marveling at the newfound power coursing through me. Luna's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with pride as she reached out to touch my hand.
"Feel the flow of my mana," she instructed softly. I closed my eyes and focused, allowing myself to be enveloped by the gentle currents of her energy. Mana particles danced between our fingertips, intertwining in a delicate symphony of power and harmony.
"You've never tapped into space, time, gravity, light, or dark magic before, so it might feel a bit strange at first," Luna instructed, her tone confident yet reassuring. "Give it a try now."
Taking a deep breath, I focused my mind on the elemental forces around me, reaching out tentatively to grasp the threads of magic that permeated the air. With a flicker of concentration, I attempted to channel each element in turn, allowing their energies to flow through me.
As I delved into the uncharted territories of space and time, I felt a subtle shift in the fabric of reality, a sensation akin to dipping my toes into an unknown abyss. Gravity's pull tugged at my senses, grounding me in the present moment while also opening my awareness to the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Light and dark magic followed suit, their opposing energies intertwining within me in a delicate balance of illumination and shadow. It was a surreal experience, like glimpsing the world through a kaleidoscope of contrasting hues and shades.
With each passing moment, I grew more accustomed to the unfamiliar sensations coursing through my veins, my body gradually adapting to the newfound powers at my command.
"That's enough for now," Luna breathed out, gently releasing me from her lap. "Your friends need your help against that beast."
Before I could voice my concerns, Luna reassured me, "But don't worry, I'll be joining you." With a gentle touch of her forehead to mine, a surge of heat coursed through my body.
She was bonding with me.
As her human form faded away, her voice echoed in my mind, "Since I'm here to guide you, I won't intervene directly or use my full strength. My role is to assist with your training. Now, go—it's time to defeat the Elder Dark Treant."