Chapter 160 Queen Of Shadows!
Chapter 160 Queen Of Shadows!
New Arc: Hidden Within The Dragon Empire!
The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden rays through the dense trees of the Grove. Alera stood in a clearing, surrounded by towering ancient trees whose branches twisted and turned like the very shadows that danced beneath them.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, her heart pounding as she prepared for her training.
Pyris had assigned one of the phantoms to keep watch over her, a flickering presence at the edge of her awareness, providing both comfort and security which wasn't certain she needed.
She could feel its energy swirling around her like a shroud, a reminder that she was not alone in this endeavor. However, the phantom's presence was also a nudge, urging her to push her limits, she desired the power phantoms commanded and she wanted to have more, to surpasse them.
With a determined breath, Alera reached deep within herself, summoning the shadows that responded eagerly to her call. The air around her vibrated with latent power as she began her hunt.
As she stepped deeper into the Grove, Alera felt the shadows wrapping around her, almost alive. With every step, she honed her senses, attuning them to the rhythm of the darkness surrounding her, her control over the Living Shadows was growing exponentially.
Her mind focused on the task at hand: finding the corrupted beasts that roamed these woods.
Soon enough, she spotted the first beast—an enormous rank 10 creature, its body twisted and grotesque, formed from dark tendrils and glowing purple eyes.
It was a corrupted wolf, infused with the essence of the darkness element. Alera kept a low-key, using her shadows to meld with the underbrush, making her almost invisible. The wolf sniffed the air, its nostrils flaring as it searched for the source of its unease.
Alera sprang into action.
She unleashed a tendril of shadow that shot out like a bolt, wrapping around the beast's throat, with her living shadows, her shadows were always tangible. The wolf let out a guttural growl, struggling against her grip, she could feel the core pulsing within it—a warm, vibrant energy calling to her.
"Calm down," she whispered, channeling her power into the shadows as thier gossque hands pierced the wolf's body.
With a swift motion, she absorbed the core without killing the beast, feeling a surge of energy course through her, she could feel her core pulse with the addition of more power.
The wolf's growls softened to whimpers as the darkness within it merged with her essence, boosting her powers slightly.
"First one down," she muttered, a satisfied smile creeping across her lips.
With each encounter, Alera's confidence grew. She hunted more corrupted beasts, each one providing her with a different essence to absorb. A sleek black panther, shrouded in shadows, fell prey to her abilities next.
Its core, infused with the space element, exploded with energy as she drained it, sending a shiver of delight down her spine.
"Could I get used to this?" she laughed, the thrill of the hunt igniting a fire within her.
But boredom crept in as she dispatched yet another beast. She could hear the faint whispers of her shadow army, calling out for release. It was time to unleash them.
Alera closed her eyes, feeling the pull of her army within the necromancy shadows.
"Come forth!" she commanded, a wave of her hand summoning the shadows to reveal their true forms.
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The first to emerge was the once Sanguine Bloodshed, now known as Shadowshed. The creature was a powerful shadow being no longer resembling anything it was once, its form cloaked in dark tendrils that flickered like candle flames.
Only its growing red eyes were visible, glowing with an intensity that spoke of its hunger and strength. The air grew thick with Shadowshed's presence, a palpable aura that radiated authority and danger.
"Welcome back, Shadowshed," Alera said, a sense of pride swelling within her as she regarded her creation. "Let's make some noise."
Next, she summoned the corrupted wyvern they had fought together—its presence was formidable. The wyvern emerged from the shadows, its scales a deep, haunting black with an ominous dark mist sipping out of it's scales, eyes glowing with an ominous light.
This creature had once been a formidable foe, but now it was hers to command.
As the two generals stood before her, the atmosphere shifted. The shadows pulsated around them, swirling with anticipation. Even the lesser shadow beasts shrank back in fear, recognizing the power radiating from Alera's summoned generals.
"Together, we will dominate," Alera declared, her voice echoing with authority.
Alera wasn't finished yet. She had more plans for her training, and it was time to expand her forces. She reached deep into the abyss of her powers, summoning more of her shadow army.
One by one, they emerged from the depths of her shadows, their forms shifting and morphing, each more intimidating than the last.
Two new beasts stepped forward, they had taken shapes that resonated with the essence of their souls, this was another breakthrough of her necromancy.
They stood on all fours, with a semblance of the creatures they once were, but now they were cloaked in darkness, their hollow eyes glowing with a vivid purple light.
"We shall call you Dread and Torment," she said, a wicked grin spreading across her face. Their forms shifted, each movement exuding an air of authority. The shadows around them pulsated, a visual representation of their strength and the fear they inspired.
Alera could feel the power flowing through her, knowing that her necromancer abilities were growing stronger by the moment. "Look at you both," she said, admiration spilling from her words. "You've taken the shapes of your souls. Now, let's see what you can do."
The shadows writhed in response to her command, a testament to her growing connection with her army. The energy surged around her, and Alera knew that they were ready for anything.
With a flick of her wrist, Alera directed her army toward the deeper parts of the Grove, where the more powerful corrupted beasts lurked.
She could sense their energies mingling with the darkness, eager for a chance to prove their worth.
As they moved, Alera felt the excitement build within her. Each step was a dance of shadows and power, a symphony of dark death energy that pulsed in time with her heartbeat. Shadowshed led the charge, with Dread and Torment flanking Alera on either side.
Soon, they encountered another corrupted beast—a massive, rank 13 shadowy bear, its form nearly twice Alera's height. The beast roared, a sound that shook the very ground beneath them.
The air crackled with tension as Alera prepared for battle.
"Shadowshed, you first!" she commanded.
Shadowshed sprang forward, a blur of darkness as it lunged at the bear, wrapping its tendrils around the beast's massive paw. The bear fought back, thrashing wildly, but the shadows held firm.
"Dread, Torment, flank it!" Alera shouted, directing her other beasts with precision.
As Dread and Torment moved in tandem, the shadows around them shimmered, creating a web of darkness that ensnared the bear. With each passing moment, the creature became more and more entangled, unable to escape the grip of Alera's growing army.
"Now, absorb its core!" Alera commanded. Shadowshed, obeying without hesitation, sunk its fangs into the bear, draining its essence until the creature fell silent.
As the bear's core pulsed with energy, Alera felt the familiar thrill of power surge through her but this time, although she could feel it moving through her, the power was improving Shadowshed.
"More!" she called out, her voice echoing through the Grove. The shadows around her surged with excitement, and her army responded with vigor.
With her generals leading the charge, Alera unleashed wave after wave of shadows upon the remaining corrupted beasts, each encounter reinforcing her strength.
The Grove transformed into a battleground, shadows dancing wildly as they fought under Alera's command.
She felt invincible, her heart pounding with the rhythm of battle. The connection with her shadows and shadow army deepened, and she knew that together they were becoming an unstoppable force.
As the last of the corrupted beasts fell, Alera stood amidst the remnants of battle, her army around her. They were more than shadows; they were her allies, her soldiers, and together they had forged a bond stronger than ever before.
Alera's breath came in steady gasps as she surveyed the scene.
"Today was just the beginning," she whispered, feeling a sense of fulfillment wash over her. The shadows flickered around her in agreement, and she knew that her powers would only continue to grow.
But apart from the phantom, Alera wasn't alone in the Grove, something lurked in the background.
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