Chapter 4: The First Battle
Soul's hands were clenched around the hilt of his sword, feeling its familiar weight, yet sensing the dormant potential within it. Training with Mei had sharpened his understanding of Karmic Power, and he could feel it thrumming beneath the surface, eager to be unleashed. But tonight was different. Tonight, he would face a threat more formidable than anything he had encountered before.
The streets were eerily silent, save for the low hum of streetlights. Mei had led him here, warning of a dark presence nearby—something that the Karmic Priests hadn't yet detected. "You need to face this alone," she had said, her eyes filled with a mix of pride and anticipation. "Your power is meant for this."
Soul took a deep breath, his gaze scanning the shadows, alert to every faint sound. Suddenly, a faint rustling caught his attention, and he turned just in time to see a monstrous entity emerge from the darkness—a towering, twisted figure radiating negative Karmic Power, its form shifting and pulsating as though it were barely contained.
The creature's eyes glowed a sickly yellow, fixed on Soul with an intensity that made his heart race. But he steadied himself, channeling his pink Karmic Power into his sword, feeling it pulse in response. This was his chance to test his strength.
The creature lunged at him, moving with a speed that belied its massive size. Soul barely managed to sidestep, feeling the rush of air as its claws scraped the ground where he had just been standing. Without hesitation, he swung his sword, infusing it with a burst of pink energy, creating an arc of light that struck the creature's side. It let out an ear-splitting roar, staggering back as dark energy seeped from the wound.
But it wasn't enough. The creature recovered quickly, its form shifting as it prepared to attack again. Soul could feel the strain of his power, the pull of both light and darkness within him. He focused, willing the energy to coalesce, picturing the weapon he needed.
In an instant, his sword began to transform, elongating and gaining an edge that gleamed with pink light. It was no longer just a simple blade—it was an extension of his Karmic Power, infused with both his determination and his fear.
The creature charged again, and this time Soul met it head-on. He slashed his sword in a wide arc, releasing a wave of energy that collided with the creature, forcing it back with a burst of light. But it retaliated, its claws swiping at him, catching his shoulder and sending him sprawling to the ground.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Soul forced himself to stand. He focused on his sword, willing it to evolve further, feeling its weight shift as it took on a more intricate form. It was still far from Excalibur, but he could sense that each battle was bringing him closer to unlocking its full potential.
The creature lunged again, but this time, Soul was ready. He raised his sword, channeling a surge of pink energy into it, feeling the power course through him as he brought the blade down with all his strength. The sword struck the creature's core, shattering its form in an explosion of light and shadow.
As the dust settled, Soul stood there, breathing heavily, his sword glowing with a faint pink hue. He had won, but he knew this was only the beginning. There would be more battles, and each one would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine.