Chapter 351: Transformation

As we cautiously moved through the forest, Sidus recounted the harrowing encounter that had left him on the brink of destruction. His unease was palpable, evident in the way his eyes constantly scanned the skies, searching for any sign of danger.

Curiosity and concern mingled within me as I pressed for more information. "What exactly is out there, Sidus? What did you encounter?"

His voice trembled slightly as he spoke. "I can't say for certain, but it had the aura of a Shade. However, its appearance was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It had a featureless face, devoid of eyes, mouth, or any distinguishable features. Its legs resembled those of a goat, and atop its head, two massive horns curled backward. But the most dangerous aspect lies in its elongated, clawed arms. And the strangest thing of all… it carried a lantern in its left hand."

My frown deepened as I tried to imagine the grotesque creature he described. The unknown was always more unsettling than the familiar.

Sidus's expression mirrored his apprehension as he continued. "It emanated the same aura of malevolence that all shades have, and Its presence was suffocating, as if it sought to consume to consume. It was relentless in its pursuit, forcing me to retreat and seek refuge within the forest."

I nodded, taking in the gravity of his words. "We must stay alert, then. With the emergence of this bastard, especially since it's not the only one. We need to hurry and find Ynos."

"Can't you just teleport us to him, brother?"

Sidus directed his questioning gaze toward me, hoping for a convenient solution to reach Ynos swiftly. However, before I could respond, Breta intervened, providing a vital explanation that halted any hasty decisions.

"Not if you want us to end up in the spirit realm," Breta interjected, her voice filled with caution.

The puzzlement on Sidus's face deepened as he turned to me for clarification. It was my turn to answer his query. "She's right. Teleportation is a tricky ability. It carries a lot of risks. If I were to attempt to teleport us to Ynos without a clear visualization or prior experience of his location, we could inadvertently end up in the spirit realm or even worse, trapped in an unknown dimension. The consequences would be dire."

Sidus's furrowed brow relaxed as understanding dawned upon him. He nodded in acknowledgment of the dangers involved. "I see. It would indeed be reckless to gamble with such uncertainty."

Breta chimed in, her tone practical yet concerned. "We cannot afford to risk our safety, especially considering the current unknown situation."

I nodded, "Well, about that..." my eyes gleamed as I prepared to share my plan. Sidus and Breta paused and turned to me, awaiting my explanation, their curiosity piqued by my sudden confident demeanor.

"First things first," I began, my voice filled with conviction. "We need to leave this continent and make our way to the western one. But instead of a slow and cautious journey, I have a rather… unorthodox plan."

Sidus opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my tail, halting his words. Breta couldn't help but interject with a touch of apprehension in her voice, "Is it a stupidly reckless plan, Aether?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her cautious inquiry. "Well, aren't all our plans a bit stupidly reckless?"

Sidus's glare towards Breta due to her words, melted into an amused smile as he glanced at me, and I continued to explain, "Hear me out first. Back during our battles against the shades, I gained something."

"Something?" Sidus's eyes shone as stepped closer.

"Yes, I think it's best if I just show you."

With closed eyes, I delved deep into the recesses of my soul space, where the three-headed dragon statue resided. As my intention resonated within me, the sculpture stirred with newfound energy, emanating a powerful aura that engulfed my entire being. Sidus and Breta were pushed back by the sheer force of it, their eyes widening in astonishment.

A surge of power coursed through me, causing my body to expand in size, growing larger and more formidable. Two additional heads sprouted from my broad shoulders, mirroring my own features but radiating a more fierce and primal essence. Wings unfurled from my back, their span stretching wide, and the sheer intensity of my aura swept through the area, causing the towering trees to tremble and fall in its wake.

My transformation was complete, and I stood before Sidus and Breta as a majestic three-headed dragon, an embodiment of strength and might. The ground beneath my colossal form shook, and the air crackled with electricity and cosmic mana, as my presence dominated the surroundings.

Sidus and Breta exchanged a brief glance, their awe blending with a tinge of apprehension. It was a sight they had never witnessed before—a manifestation of my true power unleashed.

Opening my eyes, each head surveyed our surroundings with piercing gazes, my voice resonating with undeniable authority. "Do you understand what I mean, now?"

Sidus and Breta nodded in affirmation, their initial shock replaced by a newfound determination.

"Well, I'll be damned. I always told myself that I would stop getting surprised, but that seems harder when it comes to you," Breta sighed, while Sidus's eyes show brightly as his aura rose, almost in defiance. Seeing that, a small smile made its way across all of my three heads.

"Haha, then let's go!"

With a mighty beat of my wings, the gust of wind created a path amidst the fallen trees. I lowered my colossal form to allow Sidus and Breta to climb onto my scaled back. Once they were securely situated, I rose again, my wings carrying us into the sky.

Through the desolate skies, we soared, defying the pull of gravity with newfound speed. Our journey to the Western continent had officially begun, fueled by my transformation. The wind rushed past us, whipping through my scales and causing Breta and Sidus to hold on tightly.

A surge of exhilaration coursed through my veins, the raw power that accompanied my transformation was intoxicating. It was as if I had ascended to the pinnacle of the world, invincible and unstoppable. The seed of fear and apprehension that had once resided deep within me had been banished, replaced by an overwhelming surge of confidence and invulnerability.

The thrill of the moment ignited my senses, and it became challenging to rein in the exhilaration that coursed through my being. The boundaries of caution blurred as the hunger for more power gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. It was a dangerous path to tread, but the allure of this newfound might was difficult to resist.

The world stretched out beneath us, a patchwork of ravaged lands and trembling civilizations. My mighty wings propelled us forward with increasing velocity, the rush of wind drowning out all other sounds. Sidus and Breta clung on with unyielding determination, their trust in me unwavering despite the turbulent flight.