Chapter 371: Sanity II

The world around us seemed to freeze for a breathless moment, a fleeting second of suspended reality. Amidst the chaos and fury, I caught a glimpse of the shade's shock, the disbelief that flickered across its multitude of eyes. It was as if time itself had momentarily halted, giving me a chance to perceive the surprise etched on its monstrous features.

In that precious instant, a rare hesitation gripped the tentacles that surrounded the abomination. And through the maelstrom of violence and rage, I sensed what I had sought since the outset of this brutal clash: fear. It was a confirmation that my unbridled fury had driven the monstrous entity before me to the edge of its own terror.

The surge of satisfaction coursed through me, fueled by the revelation that the shade before me was indeed gripped by fear. But this realization wasn't enough; it only stoked the flames of my desire for more. I craved to see it tremble, to witness its agony, to force it to regret ever harboring thoughts of attacking us. So, I persisted in my ferocious assault.

With every ounce of my fury, I tore into the monstrosity before me. My teeth sunk into its flesh without restraint, relishing in the sensation of rending it apart. And as the chaos unfolded, a deep-seated instinct within me stirred, compelling me to extend my soul space outward towards the wretched creature.

The abomination shuddered violently in response, its form convulsing as it experienced the unsettling touch of my soul space attempting to engulf it. A soundless roar of anguish resounded within my consciousness, amplifying my own satisfaction and igniting my determination to see this through to the end.

"You arrogant fool! Do you truly believe that you, of all things, could consume me?!" The voice of the abomination reverberated within my mind, a cacophony of disjointed tones that might have struck fear into others. But in my all-encompassing rage, the effect was lost on me. The countless voices merged into a singular roar, and it was nothing more than background noise in the symphony of my fury.

Without a word, I concentrated solely on the manipulation of my soul space. The monster's essence, a distorted and corrupted entity that barely resembled a soul, fought desperately against the encroachment of my own soul space. It was an unseen war, a conflict of energies and wills that unfolded beyond the realm of physical senses. Yet, I didn't relent in my physical onslaught either, continuing to tear into the creature with unyielding fervor.

"What the hell are you?!" The Shade's voice echoed with desperation as its resistance crumbled under the relentless assault on both the physical and metaphysical planes. With a surge of triumph, I managed to wrestle its essence into my soul space, tearing it away from its body. I could sense its bewilderment, its inability to comprehend the situation it found itself in.

With unbridled determination, I focused on shattering what remained of the creature's body, tearing chunks and pieces and swallowing them whole before I turned my attention inward toward my soul space where I hammered the bastard's essence, with each shred of its being dissolving into nothingness under the might of my will. The battle was far from elegant, it was primal and ferocious, a direct clash of two opposing forces, and I refused to show mercy.

The tableau within my soul space transformed into a battlefield, a multidimensional arena where each element collaborated in perfect synchronization. The once formidable Shade was now contained within it, ensnared in a cage formed by the combined might of my elements.

The water mana took the form of a relentless ocean, suppressing the Shade's essence deep inside, while earth mana crafted an immense island, crushing the monster's attempts to break free. Lightning materialized in the sky, striking down with unforgiving force, weakening its essence with each impact. The poison dragon, a manifestation of the poison elements, seeped through the waters, its venomous touch further debilitating the trapped Shade.

Even the darkness elements, scarce as they were, joined the dance. They wrapped around the island, creating an impenetrable shroud that intensified the creature's isolation. Amidst it all, my dragon statue, a symbol of my inherent power, hovered above, emanating an aura that radiated dominance. Cosmic elements twirled around, as if standing vigilant against any possible threat. The once-powerful Shade now existed solely at my mercy, a reflection of my rage-fueled assault.

****

"Damn it, what a mess..." Breta's voice was tinged with frustration and concern as she gazed upon her friend's form, consumed by an overwhelming rage.

Never before had she witnessed the dragon in such a state. Even during their first encounter back in the astral plane, his eyes had held a glint of intelligence, a sense of restraint that was now completely absent. His eyes, usually so expressive, were now hollow, filled with a singular purpose - annihilation.

The scene before her was nothing short of horrifying. Aether's frenzied assault on the Shade was relentless – tearing, hacking, clawing, and biting – a display of raw, uncontrolled violence that would forever be etched in her memory. But it wasn't the brutality of his actions that chilled her to the bone. It was the vacant look in his eyes, the absence of recognition. They no longer differentiated between friend and foe; they only saw destruction, fueled by an all-consuming rage that seemed to know no bounds.

Her grip on the glowing spear unconsciously tightened. What role could she possibly play in this brutal confrontation? Aether was already unleashing his fury upon the monster, leaving little room for her to intervene without becoming a liability. The fear that he might not recognize her in his current frenzied state clenched at her heart.

A mixture of helplessness and determination surged within her. She couldn't stand by idly, but joining the fray seemed foolish at best. After all, Aether had the Shade on the ropes, and her interference might only complicate things further. With a gritted resolve, she scanned her surroundings, evaluating her options.

She decided that her best course of action was to stand guard and protect her friend. The Shade had come with shadowy allies before, and she couldn't risk them exploiting the situation. Her role was clear now – to ensure Aether's safety from any potential threats that might try to take advantage of his single-minded assault. In this chaotic moment, she would stand as his shield, unwavering and resolute.