68 Becoming A Sage.(3)

Deep in the Ryuchi Cave, there was a large congregation of snakes staring into a giant section of the cave, looking like they were waiting for something or...someone. Leading them was the White Snake Sage and her three girls, with Manda waiting right next to them.

Manda: "Mistress, you're saying Tendo has become a snake sage, just like yourself? Why didn't you teach it to me first? For all we know, he could be planning to betray us as soon as he comes out of there!"

White Snake Sage: "Teach him? I didn't teach him to do this. This was in his capacity all along. If you would put some effort into absorbing natural energy instead of fighting all the time, you would be gaining strength rapidly too. And watch how you address me, Manda."

Manda: "Tch! Y-yes, Mistress."

The snakes continued to wait and wait, it was looking like Tendo wasn't going to appear there at all. Most of the weaker snakes started to voice there discontent but the stronger ones stayed quiet as they felt something...off with the atmosphere. It was like something was there but it wasn't at the same time. All their senses became muddled when they tried to sense the presence that was there and the weaker snakes that were just getting agitated suddenly fell silent. Manda looked back to see all of them laying on the ground unconscious. The only ones who were awake were Manda, Garaga, the three girls, and of course, the White Snake Sage.

Ichikishimahime: "Miss, what is going on?! Do you feel that too?! It feels like death is coming but...it feels like it's all around me, like the void is...consuming me...Miss...miss....save...me.."

The Sage: "Wait, I see! Ichi! Manda, Garaga, close all your eyes and retract your senses! Don't even speak a word! The rest of you girls, do the same. Your minds can't handle seeing him in this form. We weren't waiting for him to come out of the cave, it turns out he was here the whole time. His body must've gotten too big for the Ryuchi Cave so he fused with it. Heh, isn't that right, Tendo?"

Suddenly a voice that sounded like it came from the void and the abyss of hell at the same time, responded saying:

"You finally realized it? I was watching all of you for a while now. I'm surprised it took you so long."

The Sage: "Tendo, ha. Even though you're talking to me I still can't sense you. It's like the air itself is covering you. And I see you've finally gotten control over the power of your voice. Why don't you stop hiding and let me see your true form?"

Tendo: "Hiding? It's just that my ability to devour plays a major part in my form so everything that makes contact with me can be devoured from any part of my body. Even the light from the sun itself is devoured as soon as it touches my body. The only way you can see me is if I take a human form."

Tendo wasn't lying when he spoke about the intricacies of his body. The wraith execution ability was the basis his new body was built on so it's characteristics showed exactly that. The length of it was about 10 kilometers, it's width was about half of that. Tendo still had most of his body underground as he wasn't planning on devouring everything his body touches as he still didn't have full control over what his body devours and what it doesn't. Even looking at him might cause some to feel like their souls were being devoured. He also gained the ability to grow extra heads anywhere on his body as a result of how modifiable it was.

The Sage: "Your human form? Alright, let's see it. I also have a task for you to do, that's if you want to do it. It concerns the Great Toad Sage."

The Ryuchi Cave started to shake rapidly as all the floors, walls, everything took on a pitch-black color. It felt like the cave was changing its shape every time it shook, causing everyone who was there to stand firm just in case something happened. Even the sound that it was making resembled the distorted cry of demons, something that was coming straight from hell itself. It was something truly fearful, truly terrifying.

The sound didn't stop until a while later when the cave returned to normal once again. Even the sage herself couldn't help but laugh at the fact that it still didn't show any signs of caving in after everything that happened. Suddenly, almost as if out of the void itself, a naked Tendo walked out of a ripple in thin air, with pitch-black hair looking like a river of ink.

The Sage: "The Black Snake Sage. How does that sound eh? It even matches your new hair."

Tendo: "Heh. It's a good start. What was that task you spoke?"

The Sage: "First, Tendo, look at yourself. Put on some clothing."

Natural energy rippled around Tendo as a black robe with white snake-like patterns was formed on his body. He had refined his control over the past year so normal things like that were second nature to him.

The Sage: "Good. About the Great Toad Sage, I want you to devour him. That will skip a few years of training for you as you will gain his boundless knowledge and you might even evolve once again, what do you say?"

Tendo: "You're just trying to lower the chances of me turning around to devour you by offering me someone of equal standing, is that it?"

The Sage: "Hehe, Tendo, as sharp as ever. As much as I hate to admit it, that's exactly it. It'll also get rid of his bothersome ability to see the future. You never know, he might reveal one of your plans one day. Are you up to the task?"

Tendo laughed as he started walking and stretching his body as he hadn't been in a 'human' form for a long while. Some slight training was all he needed to get reacquainted with it. His voice sounded out behind him as he walked into the darkness.

Tendo: "Consider him dead."