Tamer's Path

The atmosphere grew tense as Akira's team set out for their next target after a quiet lunch with the guardian. The air was crisp, the forest teeming with life, yet there was an undercurrent of unease among them. As they traveled, Elythia spoke up, her buzzing voice cutting through the stillness.

"There's something I didn't mention earlier," she began, her tone hesitant. "Insect empires, like mine, have methods to force evolution in creatures that have reached the peak of their genetic code."

Akira glanced at her curiously. "You didn't mention it before because you weren't sure it would apply to us?"

Elythia nodded. "It's not a guarantee. The empire only grants such resources to those deemed worthy, and even then, it's rare. I didn't want to raise false hopes or make it seem like my empire is weaker because of this limitation."

Akira appreciated her honesty and reassured her. "It's better that you didn't mention it. There's no point in dwelling on something that might never come to pass."

The rest of the team chimed in, revealing that their empires also had similar methods of forced evolution, though they, too, were selective. This new piece of information deepened Akira's understanding of the vast and complex world around him.

Curiosity bubbled within him, and he asked a question that had been nagging at him. "Do your empires know everything about this universe—or even other universes?"

Elythia hesitated, unsure, but Nyx, ever the sardonic intellect, interjected. "Of course not. We're powerful, but the universe is infinite, and there are threats beyond our comprehension. Even our superiors don't fully understand what lies beyond certain borders."

Akira frowned. "So, there are things out there that even your empires fear?"

Nyx nodded grimly. "Exactly. That's why expansion is controlled, and why we don't rule everything. There are forces that could wipe us out if we overstep."

Akira processed this, his thoughts spinning. Unknown forces, unseen threats—they complicated his long-term goals for humanity's survival. Yet, he knew dwelling on such existential dangers was unproductive.

"Let's focus on what's ahead," he said, shaking off his concerns.

Their next target was the Frost Wolf, a creature far more dangerous than it seemed. Akira wasn't afraid of its current strength but of what it could become. This particular Frost Wolf bore traits linked to the Wolf of Apocalypse, a legendary beast tied to destruction and despair.

The Frost Wolf wasn't native to the forest; its black eyes and horns marked it as an anomaly. According to Akira's encyclopedia, its lineage connected it to Apocalypse, a cosmic entity of unimaginable power. Apocalypse was sealed away in a universe-sized cage, but remnants of its influence still lingered, corrupting creatures like this Frost Wolf.

As Akira read more about Apocalypse in his encyclopedia, a chilling sensation crept over him. His vision blurred, and his mind felt like it was being pulled into an abyss. The words on the page seemed alive, whispering promises of power and destruction.

"Asura! Lilia!" Akira's voice trembled as he clutched his head.

The two rushed to his side, shaking him violently until he snapped out of it.

"What happened?" Lilia asked, her voice laced with worry.

"I—I was reading about Apocalypse," Akira stammered, his breath shaky. "It felt like it was pulling me in, like it was watching me."

Nyx's reaction was immediate and violent. He flew at Akira and slapped him across the helmet, the force staggering him.

"You reckless fool!" Nyx roared, his normally calm demeanor shattered. "Do you have any idea what you've done? If you see Apocalypse, it sees you. You've marked yourself, and us, with your stupidity!"

Akira stared at him, stunned. "What do you mean? It's just an encyclopedia entry!"

Nyx shook his head, panic evident in his dark eyes. "The Apocalypse isn't just a beast. It's an entity. A concept. By thinking about it, you've invited its gaze. And now—"

The ground trembled, cutting Nyx off. From the cave ahead, the Frost Wolf emerged, its body radiating a dark, corrupted energy. The Mist Wolves that had been its companions dissolved into mist, their essence absorbed by the Frost Wolf.

It grew larger, its black horns elongating, its fur bristling with frost and shadow. The corruption was palpable, a suffocating force that pressed against them.

"Run!" Nyx shouted, his usual composure gone. He grabbed Akira with his shadowy tendrils and took off, the rest of the team following suit.

As they fled, Akira glanced back, heart pounding. The Frost Wolf let out a bone-chilling howl, and the dark energy surged outward, consuming everything in its path.

Akira clenched his fists. This wasn't just a fight for survival anymore—it was a reminder of the dangerous forces lurking in the shadows of the universe. Forces that wouldn't rest until they consumed everything.

The Frost Wolf's corrupted howl echoed through the frozen forest, shaking the very air as Akira and his team raced for their lives. Ice spread rapidly in every direction, killing everything in its path. Trees cracked and crumbled under the frost, their branches shattering like glass. The wolf's presence was suffocating, and Akira could feel the unnatural cold sinking into his armor, clawing at his flesh.

"Keep moving!" Akira shouted, his breath visible even through his helmet's visor. "Don't stop for anything!"

Behind him, the Frost Wolf loomed, its massive frame wreathed in shadowy frost. Its glowing black eyes locked onto Akira and his companions with an unnatural hunger. Every step it took sent shockwaves of icy death cascading outward, freezing the ground solid.

A voice, ancient and malevolent, rang out from the Frost Wolf, echoing in their minds. It wasn't a voice made of words but of feelings—despair, fear, and inevitability.

"You cannot escape me," the voice said, a chill crawling down Akira's spine. "I see through you, little mortals. I see your fears, your doubts. I see the weakness you try to hide."

Akira gritted his teeth, trying to block out the voice. "It's not real. Don't listen to it!" he yelled to his companions.

Nyx, perched on Akira's back, hissed angrily. "Ignore it, or it will get inside your head! It thrives on despair!"

Lilia clung to Akira, her usual calm composure cracking as the oppressive aura bore down on her. "Akira, its power... it's too much. We won't make it if we don't do something!"

The wolf's attacks grew more relentless. Sharp shards of black ice shot through the air, each one crackling with energy. Asura, in his combined form with Akira, used his enhanced reflexes to weave through the onslaught.

"You will fall," Apocalypse taunted. "It is only a matter of time. And when you do, your precious hopes will crumble to dust."

Akira's mind worked frantically, trying to find a way out. He knew the corruption couldn't sustain itself for long. "It has fifteen minutes at most," he muttered to himself. "The wolf's body isn't built to handle Apocalypse's power. We just have to hold out."

But fifteen minutes felt like an eternity with death breathing down their necks.

"Elythia, Sangrelis, return to your spaces!" Akira commanded, his voice firm despite the fear gnawing at him.

Elythia protested. "What? You think I can't handle this?!"

"It's not about handling it!" Akira snapped. "You're too slow, and I can't risk you getting caught! Trust me on this!"

Sangrelis always the coward, nodded. "Understood, Akira. Don't die."

With a flicker of energy, the two vanished into the taming space, their absence lightening the load on Akira's mind.

Asura pushed their speed to the limit, flying low and weaving through the forest to avoid the wolf's icy projectiles. Akira felt the strain on their shared body, but Asura's determination matched his own.

Nyx's voice broke through the chaos. "The wolf's power is warping the area. It's turning everything into its domain. If we don't get out of its range soon, it'll overwhelm us!"

Akira cursed under his breath. "Then we have to take it somewhere else. Somewhere it can't hurt anyone."

He banked hard, turning toward a cliffside overlooking a frozen lake. The terrain was treacherous, but it was the best option they had.

The Frost Wolf's presence grew even more suffocating as it closed the distance. Its growls were now laced with a dark laughter, mocking their efforts. "Run all you like, little mortals. It will not save you."

Akira felt his resolve waver for a moment, the weight of the entity's gaze pressing down on him. But then he remembered his team's trust in him, their shared goal of survival.

"We're not running forever," Akira said through gritted teeth. "We're buying time. And you're going to burn yourself out before you can touch us!"

Nyx chuckled darkly. "Bold words for someone with a death sentence chasing him. But I like it." Seeing that they had no choice but to face it, Nyx began to appracite that his so called Master had some bravery in him that held the group together.

The wolf lunged, closing the gap in a single bound. Akira barrel-rolled midair, narrowly avoiding the creature's massive jaws. Its frosty breath coated his armor, slowing their flight momentarily.

Lilia, still seated on Akira's back, extended her hand. A wave of golden energy washed over them, counteracting the frost and restoring some of their speed.

"Keep flying, Akira!" she urged. "I'll do what I can to hold it off!"

She raised her other hand, firing bursts of light energy at the wolf. The attacks didn't hurt it, but they forced it to dodge, buying precious seconds.

The cliffside came into view, and Akira felt a surge of hope. If they could reach the frozen lake, they might have a chance to outmaneuver the wolf or at least delay it until the corruption consumed it.

The Frost Wolf, sensing their plan, let out another earth-shaking howl. The air around it froze solid, creating a massive wave of icy energy that surged toward them.

"Asura! Full power, now!" Akira shouted.

With a roar, Asura unleashed a burst of energy, propelling them forward just as the wave of ice crashed behind them. They soared over the cliff and landed on the frozen lake, the ice groaning under their weight.

The wolf followed, its corrupted energy warping the frozen surface. But its movements were slower now, its body straining under the immense power of Apocalypse.

"Your defiance is meaningless," the voice snarled. "All will fall before me in time."

Akira stood firm, his team gathered around him. "Maybe. But not today."

The Frost Wolf lunged one last time, but as it did, its body began to crack and splinter. The corruption had reached its limit. With a final, agonized roar, the wolf collapsed, its form disintegrating into frost and shadow.

The forest fell silent.

Akira let out a shaky breath, his team gathering close. They had survived, but the encounter left them shaken. The shadow of Apocalypse lingered, a chilling reminder of the forces they were up against.

"Watch Out!" Someone screamed as a barrier appeared around them.

The moment the darkness slammed into the barrier, Akira could feel the force of the attack, the raw power of it, and for a split second, he was caught off guard. If not for the timely intervention of his allies, he would have been turned into a berserk beast, as the dark waves threatened to overwhelm him completely. He couldn't afford to be distracted now, not with something so dangerous bearing down on them.

The surge of raw fury filled his senses, and before he knew it, he'd already reacted. Asura's power coursed through his veins, and he released a massive wave of emerald flames, scorching everything in its path. The flames burned hot, intense, and sharp, eradicating the remnants of the dark energy. Satisfied that the immediate threat was neutralized, Akira turned his attention to the source of his salvation.

She stood there, calm amidst the chaos, a shimmering barrier still around her as though the attack hadn't fazed her in the least. She wore the armor of Silver Horizon—just like him. That was when Akira recognized her, though not in the way he expected.

"Thank you," he said, his voice laced with genuine gratitude, though he remained focused on the task at hand. He could tell by the way she carried herself and the subtle grace in her movements that she was no stranger to battle, even though she appeared more the scholar than the fighter.

"You're welcome," she replied, and Akira noticed something in her eyes—admiration, perhaps? He quickly suppressed any thoughts about it. There was no room for such distractions now.

She was Yuna Arisawa, a student of Atlas, who had been observing him from afar. Apparently, she was impressed by his quick thinking during the confrontation with the berserk creature, the Apocalypse.

A strange sense of pride swelled in Akira's chest, but he quickly pushed it aside. Praise from someone, especially a beautiful woman, could easily be flattering. But his loyalty was with Ai, and that was where his heart truly lay, not in fleeting moments of admiration from someone he barely knew.

"You handled yourself well," Yuna continued, her voice carrying a tone of appreciation. "You showed great control, even under pressure. That's not easy."

Akira nodded, acknowledging her words. "I've learned a lot from my experiences," he replied, keeping his tone humble. "But the real danger wasn't in what that creature was now. It was what it could become in the future. I wasn't afraid of its current form, but I couldn't ignore the possibility of it evolving into something far worse."

Yuna tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "That's a thoughtful approach. Not many would think that far ahead."

He shrugged, his gaze shifting to the others who were starting to regroup. "It's about understanding the long-term implications. If we don't keep our heads in the game, we'll be caught off guard when it matters most."

Yuna was quiet for a moment, then gave a nod, as though contemplating his words. He couldn't help but notice the subtle warmth in her gaze, but again, he dismissed it. This wasn't the time for distractions.

"I'll make sure to keep an eye on you," she said, her voice steady, but there was a glimmer of something more in her eyes. "Just in case you need guidance in the future."

Akira gave a polite smile, bowing his head slightly. "I appreciate it. I'm sure I can learn a lot from someone with your experience."

With that short conversation finished, Akira left with Yuna to get Voltis and from there they returned back to the Safe Haven.