Changes

The night sky eventually was chased away by the sun but oddly the moon stayed eclipsed by a black sun and hung suspended, completely motionless above the canyon…

The sky above the canyon also was tainted a different color from the normal blue.

Instead…it was a dark purple color in just that one spot.

Reyes had circled back to the bone shrine for shelter after his battle with the king. Noticing the change in the sky above, he quickly followed the other set of footprints to the canyon. As was about to enter it he noticed the fragmented bones and rotten flesh that littered the area.

Guard on high alert, he decided to enter the canyon. It didn't take long at all for him to find the ones responsible.

Sitting back on his pile of bones, Grim just looked at the newcomer while Leezy stood by with his back resting against the canyon wall and arms fully crossed.

"This our guy Leezy?"

"Yeah bro, that's Grim."

Nodding toward Reyes, Grim welcomed him but didn't crack a single smile as he spoke.

"Pleasure to meet you kid…"

"Look, I know you are supposed to be some hot shot but don't get off thinking you can call me a kid."

"Kid…"

Just as he was about to step forward, Leezy clicked his teeth and coughed.

"Don't try to go picking a fight with Grim. Your focus should be on me after leaving my ass. Why the hell did you just leave after you finished your fight."

"I didn't you dumbass! The ribcage collapsed on me after all that collateral damage you caused. I really should be asking YOU why the hell you left me behind!"

Hearing that, Leezy felt a little bad and shrugged.

"I really thought you left….my bad. Couldn't sense you and I damn sure couldn't see you."

"Next time we are fighting, how about you move it a different direction or at least be aware of your damn surroundings."

Moving his attention elsewhere, the very pissed off Reyes wasted no time walking over to Grim's bone pile seat while looked up at him.

"You need to come with us so-"

"Not happening right now kid. I have plans to ascend here tomorrow night. Normally I would go, but i'm not going to risk my chances just to deal with some weak dragon."

In no time, Reyes ran up the bone pile and grabbed him by the shirt. Meeting his gaze, Grim just scowled back.

"I don't give a flying fuck what you want to do. You need to come back to Highrock to be there to help your pe-."

Interrupting him, an intense spiritual pressure washed over the area.

It was so dense it was completely visible in the air and so heavy that it crushed all the bones undead underneath their feet, dropping them to the ground.

Reyes couldn't move, but still struggled against the pressure as he locked eyes with Grim.

Briefly, Grim let his transformation come forth as he grabbed Reyes's hand and squeezed it, forcing him to let go while returning back to his regular form just as quick.

"I'm only going to tell you this one time and one time only…Touch me again and it will be the last thing you ever do kid."

Rubbing his hand in pain, Reyes just glared as the spiritual pressure subsided. Despite his anger though, curiosity got the best of him.

"What was that just now?"

"That was Kyōran…essentially it is what you would call Spirit Form. You and I are in two separate leagues of power kid, you definitely shouldn't try biting off more than you can chew."

Biting his tongue, Reyes didn't reply. Even though what Grim said was very true, he still wanted to test himself.

"Let's check that statement then. At sunset, let's duel with a couple handicaps. You can't use your transformation and I won't use my weapons."

Shaking his head, Grim just folded his arms with his eyes closed. Upon opening them and seeing Reyes's facial expression, he sighed.

"Fine…sunset we meet here."

Nodding, Reyes started walking off deeper into the canyon.

Leezy looked as if he wanted to follow but a sharp glance from his brother put a quick end to that.

"Have it your way then, just don't come complaining to me if you get fucked up."

Without bothering to reply, Reyes walked off into the distance letting his words slide right off his back.

Alone once again, he reached into his pack, he took out the Purple Soul Gem he had gained from Giant King Norik.

As usual the gem broke up into shards and was absorbed. The unusual change was the rush of raw power he felt after absorbing it.

The feeling only lasted for a few seconds but was unlike anything he had felt before.

His appearance also changed after the blinding light faded from the absorption of the gem.

His dreads were now slightly longer and became decorated with individual small golden bands.

His red jacket became embroidered with the emblem of a black crown along its back.

The boots he wore were now a completely different style with black fur lining the top and gold silk laces tying them.

Finally, the pants he had on changed too and were now made of a fine black silk combined with a gold sash holding them up on his waist.

Impressed by the changes, he didn't feel anything immediately different about his abilities though besides the increase of power.

A quick check of his katanas ended in disappointment as nothing had changed with them either.

With a sigh, he turned around and walked back to join up with Leezy and Grim again.

Upon seeing him, Leezy couldn't help but feel jealous.

'This man right here…trying to be all sexy flexy. Not even going to lie, the outfit is nice but none of that will matter after I fold his ass once we spar again.'

Seeing his brother's gaze, he just grinned at Leezy while taking a seat on a nearby boulder.

Laying back on it, he watched the clouds pass by overhead while waiting for the sun to fall and signal the beginning of the match between him and Grim.