I felt the flood of his power seep into me as I stepped onto the metal bridge, placing one foot in front of the next to avoid tumbling right off the edge and falling 500,000 feet to my death. On either side of me, I could hear screams of others who had fallen from their bridges and the clash of daggers and weapons from those still fighting. I turned in Kaleigh's direction when I heard a girl scream. Before I could anticipate what was going to occur next, my foot slipped, causing me to lose my balance.
"Abraxis, now would be a good time to start with those lessons in controlling this power!" I shot out through the bond, panic surging through me as the precipice loomed ominously below. Focus, I reminded myself, trying to stabilize my footing. I had to regain control, not just for myself but for Kaleigh and the others who depended on me. The bond shimmered with his energy, and I concentrated, reaching out with my mind, willing the chaotic surge within me to settle.
I reached through the bond to the spiritual plane, grounding myself as I allowed my thoughts to intertwine with Abraxis'. The connection flowed like electricity, fueling my determination as I steadied my breath. With arms extended for balance, I took one careful step at a time across the metal death bridge, every movement deliberate and aware.
The sound of footsteps thundered toward me, growing louder, reverberating off the metal structure. I didn’t need to see him to know he was coming—an instinctual pull flared within me, urging me to remain vigilant. The air crackled with tension as anticipation surged.
As he appeared in my line of sight, I could see the fierce determination etched across his face, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash its energy. He was flying fast, confidence radiating from him as he darted towards me, weapon drawn and poised for attack.
I anchored myself further into that spiritual bond, feeling the essence of Abraxis coursing through me, readying every fiber of my being for what was to come. My heart raced, and I visualized the space between us, calculating my options. This wasn’t just a battle of strength; it was a test of resolve, a clash of wills as much as it was of skill.
With his approach swift and merciless, I braced myself, centering my gravity and drawing on the energy that connected us. It was time to act. I focused on my opponent, the world around me narrowing into clarity. With a deep breath, I prepared to meet him, ready to blend instinct with the teachings I had embraced. Each step, every ounce of balance, would count as I faced this challenge head-on.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhFH1XQsbN
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In that instance, I realized how weak and fragile I really was. My breathing quickened as I attempted to step back, only for my foot to slip and cause me to wobble slightly in my attempt to regain my balance. Panic surged through me, and I caught myself awkwardly, my heart racing as the commotion around me seemed to amplify.
It was no secret that I had been a frail and sickly child. The legacy of a Darksbane came with its own set of burdens, and the one bestowed upon me was particularly heavy. In our bloodline, each heir is granted a demon at birth, an ancient bond that intertwines our fates. But it is the demon who chooses the perfect host, and Arbrax, the prince of hell, had selected me—a choice that came at a steep price.
With the strength and power imbued in him, my health became the collateral. The energy he brought is intoxicating, a raw force that courses through me, yet it constantly siphoned my vitality. I often felt like a candle struggling to stay lit in a gusty wind, flickering and dimming just when I thought I was gaining solidity.
As I grew, it became evident that the price for such royal lineage was far greater than any common exchange. Where others flourished, I withered, overshadowed by the very power that was meant to enhance my life. My body bore the scars of that struggle—fragile bones and a constitution that couldn't muster the resilience of my peers.
The whispering doubts in my mind would often echo tales of my family's legacy, stories of great assassins who wielded power without hesitation or fear. But as I stood there, amidst the cacophony of laughter and vibrant personalities, the realization settled over me like a shroud: I was not made to walk in their shadows.
Was I destined to be just a shadow of the greatness that my lineage promised? The thought filled me with an ache, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Arbrax truly understood the toll that our bond had taken on me. Did he see the girl who had fought through sickness, or merely the vessel for his ambitions?
In that moment of wobbling on the edge of uncertainty, I understood that my path would not mirror those who came before me. I would have to carve my own way, one that honored my struggle rather than overshadowed it with the weight of my lineage. The air in the cavern felt heavy with the expectations of the past, but I knew I had to rise above—both for myself and for the fragile whisper of life that still burned within me.
When merged, Abraxas held almost complete control over my actions. It was a precarious balance; he led while I watched, a silent observer in my own life. We were meant to function as a unit, to operate seamlessly as teammates—but the reality of our bond was far more complex. Our friendship was paper-thin, fraying at the edges with every command he issued and every nuance of his dark power I struggled to comprehend.
I could feel his intentions coursing through me, sometimes overshadowing my own desires and thoughts. In moments of danger, he would surge forward, guiding my limbs with an assertiveness that felt foreign, yet familiar. There were times when I felt empowered by his strength, yet the loss of autonomy sent shivers down my spine.
With each encounter, it became clearer that our connection wasn’t rooted in mutual respect but rather in dominance. Abraxas wielded his influence over me like a master over an apprentice, irking my spirit even as I benefited from his might. I longed for true collaboration, for a partnership where both of our wills could intertwine and create something beautiful, rather than allow one to overshadow the other.
This rift in our relationship colored everything I faced. It made me question every decision, every instinct. The boy charging toward me, marked just as kalieghI glanced up to meet the boy’s gaze was, represented not just a rival but a reminder of the potential I could harness if I could only bridge the gap between my will and his. The thought ignited a flicker of defiance within me.
As I stood on that metal bridge, I felt that tension build, the urge to assert my agency against the demon pressing against the walls of my mind. It wasn’t merely about defeating the boy in front of me; it was a fight for my own identity, for the chance to be a true Darksbane on my own terms.
Could I harness Abraxas's power without losing myself completely? That question echoed in my head as I steeled myself for the confrontation ahead, ready to chart a path that balanced both our strengths while striving to mend the fragile bond we shared. If we were to work as a team, it was high time to redefine our relationship—not as master and servant, but as two beings navigating a world filled with shadows and light.I lowered myself onto the metal bridge beneath my feet, grounding myself as I took a deep breath. With each inhale, I let the dark, chaotic energy of Abraxas rush into my veins, awakening something within me that had long been subdued. The rush coursed through me, a bittersweet elixir that ignited my senses, and I could feel my hair begin to change. Strands transformed into a brilliant white, save for the blood-red tips that cascaded like flames—an unmistakable mark of my bond to Abraxas, a telltale sign that I was indeed a Darksbane.
As I glanced up, my gaze locked onto the boy charging toward me. His glaring red eyes shone with an intensity that was not my own, an unsettling reminder of the fierce power that ran through our lineage. The air around us crackled with tension, and I felt Abraxas stir inside me; his essence flickered with playful menace, as if taunting me to harness that very power.
In an instant, Abraxas’ influence twisted our connection, and I could feel his tongue slip between my lips, brushing against them in a teasing caress. The sensation made my heart race, a strange blend of strength and vulnerability. It was a reminder of the depths of our entwined fates, of the potency I held yet feared.
As the boy closed in, I could see the cuff in his ear that marked him, just like Kaleigh's. It signified his own lineage, his own power, and I could sense the determination radiating off him. The clash of destinies felt imminent, a collision of our paths that had been set in motion long before today.
With Abraxas simmering just beneath the surface, I knew this was my moment. Here on the metal bridge, suspended between two worlds—the vibrant life I cherished and the dark legacy that sought to define me—I felt the need to respond. I could either let fear bind me, or I could rise to meet this challenge head-on, wielding the very power that was meant to shackle me.
The weight of my past and the promise of my powers fought for dominance within me, but as I faced the approaching boy, I made my choice. I would embrace both—my connection to Abraxas and the strength I had nurtured in my own way. With my heart pounding and my body alight with energy, I prepared to confront this new chapter of my journey.
I glanced up to meet the boy’s gaze, my own now possessing a malicious red hue. It was a stark contrast to the anxiety swirling inside me. My tongue flicked over my sharpened teeth, a reminder of the latent power I had yet to fully embrace. This partial transformation felt like a peek into the darker depths of what I could become, a reflection of the other side that lived within me.
He seemed taken aback for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise, perhaps even fear. I reveled in the shift of his demeanor, drawing strength from the power coursing through my veins. There was a thrill in the awareness that I held something formidable—something that set me apart, not just as Tynon Darksbane's heir, but as my own person.
I took a step closer, the air around us thick with tension. This wasn’t just about being an assassin; it was about claiming my identity, embracing the shadows instead of running from them. The very essence of who I was felt potent, an exhilarating mix of danger and allure.
“Do you like what you see?” I asked, my voice low, laced with an edge that matched the transformation within me. He swallowed hard, and for a heartbeat, I could sense his uncertainty. It felt good—powerful—to hold someone’s fascination in my hands, to challenge the expectations that had always overshadowed my existence.
I could feel the vibrant energy of the cavern around us, the lively chatter fading into the background as my focus sharpens on him. The flicker of fear in his eyes fueled the fire within, urging me to explore this unfamiliar territory, to embrace the darkness rather than fear it. This was my initiation, after all, though not just into the world of assassins, but into the uncharted territory of my own potential.
Our gaze met for a minute before the boy composed himself and placed a well-aimed kick at my head. Instincts kicked in, and I ducked just in time, the swift breeze of his shoelaces brushing against my cheek. A surge of adrenaline coursed through me, igniting the latent power within.
I gripped the bridge beneath my feet, the damp stone cool against my palms. The 500,000-foot drop through fog and silence caused my breath to hitch in my throat. Swallowing hard, I steeled myself, rising to my full height as I caught my balance and raised my daggers, the shimmering blades reflecting a sliver of the dim light around us.
The boy chuckled, a mocking sound that echoed ominously over the foggy abyss beneath us. "So this is the so-called legacy the great shadow Orin Darksbane left behind? A weak little girl!" He laughed again, the sound grating against my focus. “It’s almost laughable. They made this incredibly easy for me.”
His derision stung, igniting a fire within me. I narrowed my eyes, tightening my grip on the daggers as a rush of defiance surged through my veins. Yes, I was small in stature, and perhaps I lacked the experience he assumed would render me helpless, but I was no one’s pawn.
“say what you will about my mother bastard,” I shot back, my voice steady despite the tremor of apprehension that danced just beneath the surface. This was more than just a fight; it was a test of who I was destined to become. I could feel shadows gathering around me, whispering promises of strength and resilience.
As he lunged forward, a smirk still plastered on his face, I prepared myself to strike with every ounce of the legacy coursing through my blood—the legacy that said I would not back down, that I would rise up from the shadows and claim my fate.
I called on one of Abraxes’ special abilities, the Dance of a Thousand Blades, and executed a series of kicks, spins, and cartwheels, slicing him in the upper arm, cheeks, wrists, chest, and ribs. “But my daddy was a good man! He loved me. It was him who begged my mother for the mercy that saved your sorry soul. My mother would have killed me in an instant if it meant my dad wouldn’t lose control the way he did to carry out that mission. How ironic it was that my father’s mercy saved you, only to die by the shadow’s daughter.”
With my final move, I landed a strike at his neck. I giggled, moving my dagger aside, gripping the collar of his shirt, and holding him over the edge of the crevice. “Bye bye,” I whispered, kissing his cheek before sending him tumbling into the fog bank below.
That ability may have just saved my life, but the price... Just as I thought it, I coughed, splattering my hand with a bright red liquid that could only be one thing: blood. My heart raced as I realized the toll it took on me. The energy coursing through my veins was a double-edged sword, and now I felt its bitter bite. I had put everything on the line to claim my vengeance, but at what cost? The echoes of my own desperation mingled with the thrill of victory, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had crossed a line I could never uncross.
As I caught my breath and turned to walk the rest of the way, my foot slipped unexpectedly, and I went tumbling over the edge. In a split second, I found myself dangling, catching myself by my fingertips. My heart raced as I stared down into the abyss below, the fog swirling ominously. Panic surged through me, but instinct kicked in. I steadied my breath, searching for a grip, a ledge—anything to pull myself back up. Every second felt like an eternity as I focused on the strength in my hands, determined not to let this be the end.
I felt my hand slide over the smooth ledge of the nine-inch-wide bridge that held me precariously in place, and that's when I felt it—a small rise of uneven metal. It wasn't much, but it was enough! Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I swung my leg upward, managing to hook it over the edge of the bridge. With a determined push, I situated myself to find my footing once more. The relief washed over me like a wave as I steadied myself, my heart still racing from the close call. I took a moment to catch my breath, grateful for the small victory, knowing I had to keep moving forward.
The cold stung my skin, slicing through me like a thousand icy daggers, while my lungs burned with every ragged breath I took. My legs felt heavy, each step a monumental struggle, and my body screamed at me to stop, to turn back. But I couldn’t. I had to keep going; I had to make it to the other side. I had to see Lukas at the end of this.
The weight of desperation fueled my resolve as I pushed forward, each heartbeat echoing like a drum in my ears. The path was treacherous, and my mind was a whirlwind of doubt, but the thought of him waiting for me, his bright smile cutting through the shadows of my fear, was enough to keep me moving. I stumbled on the slick surface, my foot slipped. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUou9QUAgk
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I caught myself just in time; there it was, the other side—the doorway to safety—just 15 feet away from where I now stood. My heart raced as I steadied myself, the warmth of hope igniting a flicker of energy deep within. Each step felt like a victory against the elements, against my own limitations.
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