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The Eternal Conquest: Shadows Of The Self

In the secluded village of Talia, at the edge of the mysterious Ash Crown Forest, Rynathar—or Ryn—was born under extraordinary circumstances. Saved by an ancient magic from the forest's core, Ryn's life is forever intertwined with its secrets. Designated as the Guardian of the Realm, he inherits a legacy of power and responsibility far beyond his years. Ryn's early life is marked by rigorous training under his father's guidance, preparing him for the challenges ahead. However, an enigmatic fragment of data from higher realms corrupts his guiding Entity, turning it into a relentless adversary within his own mind. As Ryn battles this internal foe, he must also navigate the trials of growing up, from mastering swordsmanship to leading an elite army unit by the age of 18. When forces from his own bloodline betray his family, Ryn's quest for justice pushes him to the brink. His journey takes him across war-torn lands and into the depths of the demon realm, where his power and resolve are tested like never before. As the balance of realms hangs in the balance, Ryn must confront the darkness within and around him, forging his destiny as the true Guardian of the Ash Crown.

SamMG · Fantasy
Not enough ratings
33 Chs

Clash of Physical Might

The shadow entity launched its attacks, attempting to weaken Ryn's resolve with haunting visions and whispers of doubt. It tapped into his deepest fears and insecurities, trying to break him down. But Ryn fought back, countering with his own mental fortitude, refusing to succumb to the entity's manipulations.

Hours passed or perhaps it was mere minutes; time seemed distorted within the realm of the mind. But Ryn persisted, refusing to yield. He mustered the strength to push back against the shadow entity, mounting a counteroffensive.

With a surge of determination, Ryn unleashed a wave of pure light from within himself. It radiated with an intensity that rivalled the darkness, pushing back against the entity's influence. The shadow entity recoiled, momentarily stunned by the unexpected display of power.

Feeling a glimmer of hope, Ryn pressed his advantage. He summoned every ounce of strength, directing the light to envelop the shadow entity. The darkness writhed and twisted, desperately trying to resist, but Ryn's resolve proved unyielding.

In a blinding flash, the light consumed the shadow entity, shattering its hold over Ryn's mind. As the darkness dissipated, Ryn regained control over his body, his breathing heavy but triumphant.

Opening his eyes, Ryn found himself once again beneath the tree, the world around him seemingly brighter and more vivid. The battle had taken its toll, leaving him mentally and physically drained, but a sense of accomplishment coursed through his veins.

Ryn knew that the battle was far from over. The shadow entity would return, relentless in its pursuit. But for now, he had emerged victorious, and he would use this respite to gather his strength and prepare for the next encounter.

But that next encounter came too early.

Suddenly, an unexpected jolt reverberated within Ryn's mind, echoing like a resounding bang. Fatigued from their previous encounters, Ryn found himself mentally drained. Yet, with this new sensation, he knew what it meant, a familiar calling from the depths of the mind realm.

As if drawn by an invisible force, a dark mirror materialized in the distance, hurtling towards Ryn with breathtaking speed. Within moments, it halted mere steps away, its surface shimmering with anticipation. Breaking through the mirror's facade, a hand emerged, signaling the arrival of a figure Ryn knew all too well. It was a scene he had witnessed before.

Exhaustion weighed heavily upon Ryn, remnants of their previous encounter still lingering in his mind. The methods he had once employed to banish the shadow entity seemed distant and unattainable now, as his willpower waned. Surprisingly, this was a new experience for him. It was the first time he faced the shadow entity consecutively, with little time to recuperate.

Observing the fully materialized form of the shadow entity before him, Ryn couldn't help but let a smile creep across his lips. There was something different about it this time it appeared weaker, not at its full strength. And although Ryn's own mental exhaustion weighed him down, he saw an opportunity to resolve the situation with his fists.

"Let's fight, you enigma," Ryn declared, his words punctuated with determination. Without a moment's hesitation, he burst into a full sprint towards the shadow entity. In a fascinating display, the entity mirrored his actions, a devilish smile adorning its face.

With each step, Ryn's weariness seemed to dissipate, replaced by a surge of adrenaline and resolve. As he closed the distance between them, his mind focused solely on the impending clash. The world around him blurred, his senses attuned to the imminent battle.

The moment their paths intersected, Ryn unleashed a flurry of strikes, his fists and feet moving with precision and speed. His movements were fluid, a testament to his training and the countless encounters he had endured. Each blow connected with the shadow entity, causing ripples of darkness to dissipate upon impact.

The shadow entity retaliated with its own ethereal attacks, lashing out with tendrils of black energy. Ryn deftly evaded the assaults, his body moving with an otherworldly grace. He anticipated the entity's movements, using its own darkness against it, redirecting its energy with calculated counters.

The battle intensified, their clash echoing throughout the mind realm. Ryn's determination grew, fueled by the realization that he had the upper hand. He could sense the shadow entity weakening, its power waning with each strike he landed. It was as if his relentless assault chipped away at the entity's very essence.

As the battle raged on, Ryn's mind became a whirlwind of focused chaos. His senses sharpened, his intuition guiding his every move. He tapped into an inner reserve of strength, drawing upon his unwavering spirit to keep pushing forward.

A final surge of energy coursed through Ryn's veins, an indomitable force that propelled him forward. 

With one last resounding strike, he shattered the shadow entity's form, breaking through its defenses. The darkness dissipated, leaving behind only a fleeting echo of its presence.

Breathing heavily, Ryn stood amidst the remnants of their battle, his gaze fixated on the dissipating shadows. 

Victory washed over him, mingled with a sense of relief and accomplishment. The shadow entity had been defeated once again, its influence banished from his mind for now.

As the mind realm settled into an eerie calm, Ryn took a moment to collect himself. The toll of the battle became apparent, his adrenaline subsiding to reveal the extent of his exhaustion. 

He knew that rest was necessary, for the shadow entity would undoubtedly return, seeking another opportunity to assert its control.

With newfound determination, Ryn made a silent vow to continue honing his mental and physical strength. 

He would prepare himself for the next encounter, ready to confront the shadow entity with unwavering resolve. 

The battle within his mind was far from over, but Ryn had proven time and again that he possessed the strength to overcome it.

"You can come again all you want, i will beat you up every time"

Ryn's words echoed through the desolate expanse of his mind realm, a declaration of unwavering defiance. 

Despite his exhaustion and trembling knees, he stood firm, relying solely on the remnants of his sheer willpower. The previous encounter had focused on the strength of his resolve, but this time, Ryn harnessed a different weapon, the might of his physicality, even within the ethereal confines of the mind realm.

Now, drained both physically and mentally, Ryn remained on guard, unsure if the shadow entity had truly retreated, even momentarily. His senses heightened, alert for any signs of its return. And then, a cautionary voice, seemingly emanating from all directions, pierced the silence.

"Are you sure about that?"

Ryn's gaze darted downwards, searching for the source of the voice. The ground beneath him stirred, as if in response. Shadows danced and converged, coalescing into a focal point right before a mirror-like surface. 

With an eerie transformation, the shadows melded together, shaping themselves into a physical manifestation of the shadow entity, an exact replica of Ryn himself, but with a solid, dark human-like form.

It had been weeks since Ryn had witnessed the shadow entity take on this tangible, complete human form. The last time was during an arm-wrestling match, a rare moment of interaction that had quickly escalated into intense full-body sparring sessions. 

However, even then, the shadow entity had not possessed such a wholly physical presence. 

It had been a mixture of gaseous shadows and solid parts. But now, standing before Ryn, was an entity that could be struck, a figure composed entirely of darkness in a human-like shape.

A smile crept across Ryn's face, a mixture of anticipation and determination. He raised his arms, assuming a battle-ready stance, prepared to face this new challenge. The shadow entity, observing Ryn's readiness, spoke with a sinister tone, "Are you ready for round two?"

Ryn, propelling himself forward with the last vestiges of his fading energy, responded defiantly, "More like round three."

The stage was set for another clash between these two beings, each representing distinct facets of Ryn's inner struggles. The air crackled with anticipation as they prepared to engage in a battle that transcended the boundaries of the mind realm. 

Though physically and mentally worn, Ryn's spirit burned brightly, refusing to yield. He knew that even in the face of overwhelming exhaustion, he possessed an indomitable strength, one that would propel him forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead in this relentless war against the shadow entity.