Chapter 15 : The Abyssal Encounter

Ray moved stealthily, keeping his senses sharp as he navigated the dense forest. His training had honed his instincts to their peak; his swordsmanship was flawless, without hesitation or fault. He had pushed himself, not just with the blade but by experimenting with his silver aura, learning to harness its abilities in an intense moment of temporal stillness. He was driven to understand his powers, and he wouldn't let a single opportunity to grow to pass him by.

While scouting, Ray spotted a large cave opening in the distance. Suspicion and curiosity flared up inside him. Using the skill "Eye of Limbo", he scanned for any life within. A massive energy signature pulsed back, emanating from deep within. Cautiously, Ray advanced, each step slowly as he moved closer. When he finally entered the cave, he saw a beast, suddenly his legs gave out, a black-purple-furred beast similar to a shadow panther, nearly ten meters tall and biggest beast he had ever seen, lay inside, a faint red jewel on its forehead flickering as if mirroring its life force. Through his gaze, Ray could sense a heaviness...pain.

The creature sensed him and opened its eyes, locking him in place with a gaze so intense it left him petrified. Suddenly, Luna's voice echoed in his mind.

[Ray, that beast…it might be a descendant of the Abyssal Ferris, guardian of the abyss and the god of death's loyal pet.]

Ray's breath caught. He had read about mythical beasts and ancient guardians, creatures of lore often confined to the eastern lands. But to be face-to-face with one left him feeling a mix of terror and awe. The panther growled, its deep, feminine voice thick with pain and weariness. 

"Who are you, human? Leave now…before I…" she managed to snarl through gritted teeth, the pain apparent in her voice. Actually, Ray shouldn't be understanding its voice but....

Steadying himself, Ray spoke softly, "I don't mean you any harm. I... could feel your life energy diminishing, and I thought I might be able to help." 

The beast's eyes narrowed in suspicion, clearly bewildered by Ray's understanding of its ancient tongue, a language that only the god-beasts shared. 

"How…can you understand our sacred language, boy? And why should I trust you?" The voice was weak, yet each word carried a warning. Suddenly the Beast sensed something in the boy...a familiarity.

Ray felt the system pulse within his mind as he prepared to ask about the situation when, 

[Not yet, Ray.] 

Suppressing his curiosity, he took a step forward. "My name is Ray. Even if I want to, you know I can't do anything," he said, he knew how powerless he was in front of it, calming his thoughts, allowing her to read his sincerity. "I only wish to help."

The beast let out a rumbling sigh. "I am Domara, wife of the central guardian of the Dragon Land and daughter of the Abyssal Ferris. I am…"

Ray's eyes widened as he realized Domara was carrying new life within her. Focusing carefully, he saw the pulsing energies in her belly, her babies were tangled within a net of turbulent energy veins, trapped and failing to emerge. He suddenly remembered similar condition, once he had come across in a book years ago. He knew the way to clear it but...wasn't sure if it would work, but it was their only hope.

"I know a way that might help," Ray offered. "If you trust me, I could try to release the energy around your babies."

Domara's gaze softened slightly, though her weariness was evident. "I don't trust humans, boy. But I see that you carry dragon energy within you.... For now, I leave my life and my children's in your hands."

Ray nodded, moving closer and placing his hands over her belly. "This will hurt…a lot." Channeling his mana, he began manipulating the veins, carefully coaxing them back into place with precise pressure. Domara growled and tensed, but allowed him to continue. With one final push, he managed to untangle the blockage, clearing a path.

Domara let out a pained roar, and with a mighty effort, the first of her offspring was born. Ray held the small creature in his arms, marveling at the tiny yet fierce spark of life before him. He placed the baby beside its mother, just as a thunderous roar shook the cave.

A creature of towering stature, similar in form to Domara but larger and more intimidating, appeared at the cave's entrance. His eyes flared with anger, his growl echoing with the power of a creature who had ruled the wilds. Ray's blood froze as the panther's gaze fixed upon him.

"A puny human dares to lay a hand on my kin?" he snarled, his fury palpable. In an instant, he lunged at Ray, who barely managed to shield himself with his aura. But the beast's strength was immense; with a powerful bite, he flung Ray out of the cave, sending him skidding across the ground.

Ray's body ached, but he forced himself to his feet. The beast loomed over him, energy gathering in its claws, a dark, deathly aura that chilled him to the core.

He tried to stand, to reason with the creature, but the sheer intensity of its killing intent left him paralyzed, his strength abandoning him.

"I didn't harm anyone…" he murmured softly. But as the deadly claws closed in, he could only watch in horror, powerless to escape....hell he didn't know anymore, his silver aura along with chronos were activated themselves due to sheer will of Ray to live and the whole world came to halt....it idn't last long as Ray fell backward the attack missed him...

The Guardian then stood again coating itself with death energy, attack more powerful than before saying" playing tricks huh?".

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Among all of these... in a far away Mountain inside what could said to be small hut behind it a waterfall, A man with long Black hair with grey shaded highlighting his age, woke up from his meditation.

The man even though he looked thin and weak, under those robes was compact muscle...trained to its limit and he was breathing and giving out similar energy to Ray. Wherever he walked those trails of energy will follow him. As for his identity...we will soon.

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Back to the fight, before the Guardian could attack, he place where they were turned white....completely. The sky, ground or wherever they saw it was canvas of White.

An ancient and majestic voice was heard....inside the space, it said, "Stop!".

 That's all, even the mighty Guardian shrieked, but to Ray the voice felt warm.