4th Day of 3rd Water Cycle[1], 1999 g.c.
Luna stood before the mouth of the cave, her mana radiating so fiercely that the air itself warped around her. With a casual flick of her wrist, she unleashed a wave of energy that obliterated the trees we had been standing behind, reducing them to dust. The area in front of the cave was now barren, and the Goblins that had been lurking nearby scattered in panic, fleeing deeper into the cave, seeking the safety of their king. It wasn't the first time I'd seen creatures run from raw power, but it never got old. The pressure of her mana was so intense, that it created a gravitational effect that crushed anything without the strength to resist. Those weak ass primal sociovores wouldn't have stood a chance.
I couldn't help but grin like the devil I am. Excitement surged through me. Finally, a new challenge. That, or maybe I was just admiring those big-ass breasts she was blessed with. Either way, Luna's signature pulsed stronger than any of my crew solo, but I knew better than to be intimidated. One-on-one, she could overpower them, but if Steez and the others joined together, they'd take her down. Her twin cat tails swayed behind her in sync with the rhythmic beat of her mana signature—the same beat I could feel in the sword now held in my left hand.
Then she raised her right arm, conjuring a blade of spiritual energy, an exact copy of my own ōdachi but colored a deep crimson, with a white edge that gleamed dangerously. The guard was identical too—back-to-back twin crescent moons. Luna gripped it with both hands, raising the blade so its edge pointed skyward, the tip aimed directly at me. I knew that stance. She was done playing.
Without a word, she dashed at me, her speed breaking the laws of physics. Her sword swung downward, intending to cleave me in two with a single strike. Time seemed to freeze. If it weren't for my ability to react calmly to her movements, my [Future Sense] would've been screaming bloody murder. The others stood behind me, and while they could've dodged the strike, a nigga couldn't risk the cave collapsing and losing our only way into the labyrinth.
I raised my own blade, parrying her attack just before it made contact. The force behind her swing sent a shockwave rippling through my arms, redirecting it away from me. The impact shattered the trees and rocks in the distance, turning them into a shower of splinters and rubble. Her strength didn't disappoint, and this was only the first hit.
Luna didn't miss a beat. Still airborne from her initial lunge, she twisted her body and aimed for my now exposed torso with lightning precision. She sliced through the air without resistance, moving like a seasoned predator. I shifted my grip, lifting the hilt of my sword to block again. Our blades clashed, and another shockwave echoed through the clearing.
Each parry sent ripples of energy out in all directions, and I had to focus on redirecting the blasts away from my crew and the cave. Luna, though, didn't care. Her attention was locked onto me; she struck faster than light and became faster with every swing. We clashed over and over, a symphony of steel ringing out as she found her rhythm.
Despite keeping pace with her strikes, something felt off. My defensive barrier wasn't holding up like it should. I could feel the sting of each blow pushing closer to cutting through me.
I thought, "Is my barrier not up? Why does it feel like this shit would actually hurt if it hits me?"
That's when [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] chimed in.
"Due to Luna's ability, not even spatial separation can stop her blade from cutting its target. Her sword can slice through anything—object or phenomenon."
I grimaced, "Well, damn. That's a problem. Guess I can't play around."
Tsukuyomi hummed thoughtfully, already brainstorming counters in the background while I focused on the fight. This is when I learned that [Accelerated Mind] & [Telepathy] allowed for communication even when I'm physically moving faster than photons. And it was thanks to the kitty that began to whisper to me. During our telepathic exchange, I felt a playful purr in my mind.
"RAWR, you're pretty amazing, Jean." Luna's voice chimed in telepathically.
"Thanks, gorgeous. How do you know that name?"
"Your soul, silly. You know that's where I was sitting after you finally found the book. Took you long enough—2000 years."
"Just to be clear, Jean is called Tsukuyomi now."
"Oh, That's cool," she responded casually. "So Wolfie is the other voice I hear?"
I blinked, "Yeah. And hold up—2000 years? I've only been alive for a good fourteen."
She chuckled, "Nuh-uh. We are fighting right now. You can be mad at me later when we talk about that."
"Be mad at you?"
She softly purred, "Focus, Jean Xiro Wolfie."
For a while, I held strong, meeting her 210 strikes without stepping back or advancing. Then Luna switched up her tactics, dashing around me to strike from my blind spots. I dodged her first attempt and quickly realized what she was up to. That's when I activated [Devil 3rd Eye]. A brief shock flared on the back of my retinas, and my vision shifted; that effect came with the visual flood of information that came when using that skill.
With [Devil 3rd Eye] activated, everything slowed down even further, allowing me to process what had been happening. Luna hadn't moved at all. She was still standing exactly where she had started, glaring at me. Her sword wasn't even drawn, and the landscape had returned to its original state, untouched by our supposed battle. The moment of realization struck me hard. I hadn't even moved.
I could hear my niggas behind me.
"What's wrong with Xiro? Why's he just standing there?" Alex asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Steez responded, "I dunno. She didn't move, so I don't think she attacked him yet."
"Xiro! Wake yo' ass up and start the fight already!" Luda shouted.
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] finally kicked in again, unraveling the truth.
"I've broken the connection of the skill effect she had you under. Activating [Adaptive Predator] to prevent further manipulation."
"Wait, what? I was under a skill effect?!"
"Yes, Master. Luna used her Ultra Skill [Who is Jill Scott], triggering the sub-skill [Absolute Hypnosis] when you made eye contact. The strongest effect occurs when used like that."
I clenched my jaw. "This bitch had me under hypnosis? Da fuck? I thought you and Belial were supposed to protect me from this kinda shit!"
[Midnight Star: Belial]'s voice boomed from within, "She's currently using a weapon that's a part of your soul, idiot. She'll always have a natural bypass to your normal mental defenses. You'll need to find other ways to counter her in the future."
Tsukuyomi hummed in agreement. "Exactly. While [Adaptive Predator] will prevent her from using it again, she's got access to your mind-space."
I shook my head, clearing the fog that had clouded my mind. Caught slipping like that… it disgusted me. I had let my guard down because I was crushing on her appearance, but now I had to focus. She wasn't just some pretty face—I had to treat her like the threat she was.
Luna tilted her head, smiling like a cat that had found its prey. She knew I'd broken free from her illusion.
"Welcome back," she purred. "I was wondering if you'd stay trapped, but I forgot you have a hell of a lot of abilities. I took a peek at your Soul Core while I was in there."
I grinned, recovering quickly. "Let me express my amazement at your ability to catch me slippin'. You know I'm cautious now. Can't look at those titties again, probably got them boobie-trapped."
Luna giggled. "And what's wrong with being trapped by some boobies?"
"Nothing, as long as it's those mommy milkers and not some blue-footed penguin reject."
Her laugh echoed louder, her amusement genuine. "Are you sure you could handle me, Oni?"
I smirked as I replied, "What's to handle? You're already mine."
The crew had been watching this whole exchange, probably wondering why we were trading flirts instead of blows.
"Damn Xi, are you gonna mack her into submission? What happened to the fight?" Artamis shouted.
Without looking back, I shot back, "Shut up, nigga, I got this."
Siblings, man. If you don't have any, I can't explain it. If you do, you already know. But I digress.
Luna took my brief hesitation as an invitation to act, her expression darkening as she reached for her weapon. In the blink of an eye, she called forward her own version of the sword Mikazuki. The blade shimmered into existence, identical to the ōdachi I had seen under hypnosis. The very air around it seemed to warp with her mana, the edges of the sword so sharp they hummed through the atmosphere, leaving behind faint trails of violet light.
My grinning smile kicked in almost reflexively, and Luna's true mana signature flared before me, vibrant and crackling with life. But something felt... wrong. My [Future Sense] rang in my head like a bell, pounding a silent warning as my eyes darted across the battlefield, scanning for any additional movement. I could see her signature, but that wasn't all that mattered. There was something else. My pulse quickened, an uneasy tension creeping up my spine.
"Master, duck!"
Tsukuyomi's voice pierced the fog of my thoughts, and before I could consciously react, my body was already in motion. [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] overrode my muscles, forcing me into a low crouch just as a sword swung viciously past, mere inches above my head.
I didn't hear it. I didn't see it. Hell, I didn't even smell it. But the taste of danger coated my tongue—metallic, sharp—like blood before it hits the air. That blade wasn't meant to be dodged by anything I normally relied on.
"Her Ultra Skill is completely manipulating your senses and leaving you open to true attacks," Tsukuyomi continued, his voice cool and calculated, despite the chaos surrounding us. "If you can give me six more seconds, I can complete my analysis and create a proper counter."
Six seconds. Six damn seconds. That doesn't sound like much time, right? But when you're moving in bursts that outpace sound and light, six seconds might as well be six hours. Six days. Everything slowed down, the world blurring around us as Luna pressed her advantage. Each step she took left afterimages, her movements so fast that my eyes struggled to keep up. My body tensed, muscles coiled as I realized I was on the defensive, not by choice, but because she willed it. She was controlling the tempo of the fight. My fuckin' fight.
"Shit," I muttered, gritting my teeth.
This wasn't just a battle of strength anymore—it was psychological warfare. My senses were useless, so I had to rely on the one edge I still had: [Future Sense].
The moment I committed to that strategy, Luna's onslaught began again. She moved like a whirlwind of steel and magick, each blow from her sword resonating with power. I parried the first strike, the force of the impact vibrating up my arm, but I couldn't block the second. A sharp pain exploded through my side as her blade sliced through my defenses, not just cutting my body and my clothes but my soul. The agony was indescribable—an echo of pain that reverberated through me like a scream inside my core.
It was the first time I'd ever experienced something that felt like it truly cut me to the bone. A deeper kind of damage than anything physical. My breathing grew ragged as I realized the extent of her reach. Luna wasn't just attacking with precision; she was covering an insane amount of space with each swing, and each mistake I made was punished with sharp, stinging pain that coursed through my body like electric shocks.
"Master, her Spirit Weapon bypasses your normal defensive skills," Tsukuyomi warned. "[Physical Damage Cancel] won't protect you if she connects. Be careful."
"I get it," I grunted, deflecting another strike, but the sheer force behind it pushed me back a few feet, my heels digging into the dirt. "Our weapons can damage souls and spiritual beings."
Saying that to myself made sense. Stopping it? That was proving to be damn near impossible. Luna's next barrage of slashes came faster than I could fully comprehend, her sword becoming a blur of silver light. My muscles strained as I dodged and blocked as much as I could, but the sheer speed was unreal. In the span of what felt like less than a heartbeat, I counted 105 cuts carving into my body and soul. And that was just from the first wave.
Her swings were relentless. Every motion carried intent—no wasted energy, no hesitations. Each strike was a potential death sentence, and there I was, just barely holding on. The world narrowed down to just me and the blade, the sensation of time stretching painfully as I struggled to keep up. The 832 swings that followed in the span of seconds made my blood run cold. They came one after another and often appeared together in groups to my senses. Her attacks tore through my combat gi, leaving a myriad of holes in my shirt.
"She's swinging fast as fuck," I thought, dodging one swipe only to be clipped by another.
The pain was staggering, sending jolts of agony deep into my core. My soul felt raw, as though each cut was flaying pieces of it away. Sweat dripped down my face, my breath coming out in harsh gasps as I desperately fought to stay a step ahead of her. A single mistake, a single miscalculation, and she would slice me to pieces.
A frustrating thought crept into my mind. "If Luna's this strong, then who else is out there?" Gaia's a huge place, and for all my power, here I was, struggling to hold my own.
I couldn't help but think back to how cocky I'd been, thinking I was a big fish in the pond. But now, I was realizing my pond was just smaller than I knew. There were monsters out here. Luna was one of them. And if she had abilities like this, what the hell else was waiting for me out there?
The pain brought me back to reality, her blade grazing my arm again, leaving a line of fire in its wake. I growled, feeling the burning frustration bubble up inside me.
"Come on, Xiro. Don't start bullshittin' now."
During the final six slashes of our rapid exchange, I caught something—an opening. Luna had missed a horizontal swing by a hair, her blade cutting through nothing but air. The split-second opportunity was mine, and I wasn't about to let it slip.
I leaped, twisting mid-air, my body flipping over her sword and passing over her like a shadow. My muscles coiled as I came down, sword aimed for the unguarded space on her back. Time slowed as I swung, my blade seeking to punish her mistake.
But when my sword made contact, the sensation wasn't what I expected. There was no satisfying slice of flesh, no resistance of muscle. Instead, my blade clanged against something hard—familiar. It was as if I'd struck another sword. Confusion rushed through me, my brain struggling to process the hit.
Then, out of nowhere, searing pain exploded in my head.
"Ahhhh, fuck!" I screamed, the sudden agony like a thousand tiny daggers piercing my skull all at once.
My vision blurred as I instinctively grabbed at my head with my free hand, trying to crush the pain away. It felt like something was burrowing deep into my mind, slicing through my thoughts, cutting my focus into pieces.
Luna didn't waste a single heartbeat. She saw the opportunity, and with that eerie, predatory grace, she pounced. I barely caught sight of her sword arcing upward, faster than I could react.
Shhhhing!
The sound was sickeningly sharp as her blade cleaved through the air and severed my left arm in one clean, merciless strike. My sword arm. My devil-damned sword arm. Nig-gah.
Everything happened in a blur. My limb hit the ground just as I felt the wet warmth of blood trailing in the air. I didn't even feel the pain yet—just the disorienting shock of my arm not being there. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I dashed backward, instinctively creating distance between us. My three eyes locked onto her, tracking every movement as I stumbled back.
I looked down.
My left arm was gone.
The blood gushed out in heavy, rhythmic pulses, but my eyes stayed locked on the space where my arm used to be. It didn't make sense. One second, I was holding my sword, and now… now it was lying on the ground in front of Luna, still tightly gripped by my severed limb.
I blinked, disbelief settling in, but the sight was undeniable. That bitch had cut my fucking arm off. Panic surged up from the pit of my stomach. My heartbeat roared in my ears as my mind started spiraling. I could feel the idea of fear creeping in like an old, familiar shadow, pulling me back to a time I thought I'd left behind. I wanted to scream like a lil' hoe. I wanted to quit. I wanted it all to end. Right then.
But Luna… she didn't even glance at my arm. She stood there, her presence cold and untouchable, her gaze locked on me like I was nothing more than a puzzle she was dismantling piece by piece. There was a grace to her menace, a quiet pride in the way she stood, blood on her blade but not a speck of it on herself.
I couldn't shake that image from my head, her eyes boring into mine as if to say, you asked for this.
From behind me, I heard the distant voices of my brothers cutting through the whirlwind of thoughts.
"Oh shit! She just cut Xiro's arm off!" Alex's voice hit first, sharp with alarm.
"I know you fucking lying!" Luda shouted, disbelief and anger mixing in his tone. "Xiro, what the hell are you doing?"
Steez's voice followed, more level but no less urgent. "Oh, damn! Lock in, Xi!"
"Shit, Xi, you alright?" Artamis asked, his concern genuine, even through the chaos.
Their words hit me, grounding me for a moment. My heart was hammering in my chest, my breathing wild and erratic, but [Limitless Stamina] kept me from feeling any exhaustion. My body was ready to keep going, but my mind? My mind was struggling to catch up. I glanced over at my brothers, seeing all four of them watching me with a mix of concern, shock, and intensity.
"Give me... a moment..." I forced the words out, breathless but still trying to sound calm. "This bitch is good."
That's when it all clicked into place. The clutch feeling of my skills kicking in hit like a wave of cold water over a burn. [Dominus Superbiae] activated, instantly snuffing out the creeping fear that had started gnawing at my insides, replacing it with unshakable confidence. The panic dissipated like smoke, leaving me sharp, focused, and ready.
Then, [Super Self Regen] kicked in. I could feel the bleeding stop almost immediately, the ragged stump of my arm knitting itself back together slowly, but steadily. It wasn't fast, but the sensation was bizarrely refreshing; like every nerve in my body was waking up all at once. The growing arm felt like pins and needles at first, but then it became smoother, almost pleasant—like I'd just left an acupuncture shop.
And finally, [Adaptive Predator] roared to life, flooding every cell in my body with a burning, primal energy. My speed, defense, and magical resistance all skyrocketed. The raw power that coursed through me made my skin buzz, as every particle of my being had just been supercharged.
The creeping fear was gone. The pain was fading. And my body? It was getting stronger, tougher, more dangerous.
A slow grin spread across my face, again.
When I looked back over to Luna, her face had shifted. A big, pretty smile spread across her lips, her eyes gleaming with joy. The fangs that peeked out from under her upper lip were sharp; beautiful in a dangerous sort of way. She seemed almost relieved, her body language more at ease, like she had been waiting for me to shake off my shock and get back into the fight.
"You had Momma worried for a second," she teased, her voice soft but playful. "You were feeling like you wanted to quit just then. Want me to kiss it and make it feel better?"
I raised an eyebrow, adjusting my stance. My left arm was still gone, but the dull throb of pain was already fading, replaced by the creeping, unnatural sensation of it beginning to grow back. I took a deep breath, steadying myself as my focus returned to the fight.
"Not yet, I'm still good to fight," I replied, rolling my shoulders. "Just a bit of a shock." My muscles loosened as I fell back into form, feeling the familiar grip of my body ready for more. "And did you just say I was feeling?" My words came out with a smirk as I readied myself, my gaze locked on her.
Luna's eyes twinkled with a dangerous playfulness. "Yes, Daddy," she purred, tilting her head. "We are connected by spirit energy. I know I look like this, but this body isn't true until you finish the [Soul Contract] ritual. With your Mikazuki as my vessel, I can feel your emotions through your soul's link to it."
I paused, the pieces of the puzzle finally clicking into place. "That's why it felt like I struck a sword when I landed that hit on you. Makes sense."
Before I could fully digest the implications, I felt a familiar presence stir within me. [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] chimed in, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Analyzation complete. Personal Skill request completed," Tsukuyomi said with a level of enthusiasm I rarely heard from him.
Prime Realm System: «New Personal Skill acquired, [Auto Evade] installed.»
I blinked. "Oh shit, upgrades."
A grin spread across my face as I felt the new skill settle in, my senses sharpening further. Luna, still smiling, tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowing with curiosity, like a cat watching something that had just moved.
"Oh no," she muttered, her voice carrying a hint of mock concern. "That can't be good for me."
Before I could respond, I felt it—the sudden yank of [Auto Evade] kicking in, my body jerking out of the way before my senses could even catch up. Luna was already back on the offense, her sword flashing toward me in a series of rapid strikes. My body moved on instinct, the new skill pulling me out of danger just in time. Each swing came close, but none connected.
Her attacks came faster than before, and every time I tried to counter, the stabbing pain in my head would return, slightly dazing me for a second. I couldn't afford to get hit again, not while my arm was still regenerating. Until I figured out how to neutralize her offensive tricks, dodging was my only real option.
Thanks to [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi], I managed to create a bit of space between us, narrowly avoiding lethal strikes. My breath was steady, my heart pounding in rhythm with the energy surging through me. Luna was already pressing forward with another attack, her movements fluid and relentless.
I had the speed advantage, no doubt about that, while she was doing something that messed with my senses—slowing my reactions just enough to make every move dangerous. But now, [Adaptive Predator] was buzzing through my system, heating my blood as I adjusted to her tricks. With the skill [6th Sense] engaged, I could feel the magitons in the air. It was like seeing without needing my eyes, every particle of mana coming into focus around me, painting a vivid picture of the battlefield.
Then, with [Devil 3rd Eye] combined, everything sharpened even more. The world came into crystal-clear clarity, each magiton forming a perfect image in my mind. Luna's movements were no longer blurry or disorienting. I could see her—truly see her now, not with my eyes, but through the very energy that surrounded us. It was as if the universe itself was feeding me information, allowing me to track her every move.
"Alright, time to turn this shit around," I muttered to myself, locking eyes with Luna.
I gave her a demon's smile, feeling my pride as an artist flare back up. The battle wasn't over—not by a long shot. I felt a surge of excitement, my determination sharpening to a razor's edge.
"While this left arm recovers," I said, my voice full of confidence, "I'mma have to switch sides for a minute."
I mentally called Mikazuki to my right hand, and with a whisper of mana, the ōdachi materialized in my grip. The weight of the blade felt natural in my right hand as if Mikazuki was reminding me of its presence.
I pointed the tip of my sword toward her, my gaze unyielding. "Since you wanna be a bad kitten, I'mma have to spank you."
For a moment, Luna's breath caught, her eyes widening in a mix of flustered excitement and pleasure. Her smile stretched wider, her fanged grin flashing in the low light. She purred, her voice laced with both amusement and anticipation.
"Meow... Don't threaten me with a good time," she taunted, before dashing at me with blinding speed.
But a nigga was ready this time.
Her sword arced toward me, the blade aiming for my throat. I shifted my weight, my body moving with precision and speed that only [Auto Evade] and [Adaptive Predator] could grant. I parried her strike, the clash of our blades sending a spark of energy through the air. She pushed forward, but I met her blow for blow, our swords dancing in a flurry of sparks and steel.
Each of her strikes came at angles meant to overwhelm me, but my new abilities had me flowing with her movements, dodging and countering with ease. My senses, once clouded by her attacks, were now honed, every magiton in the air feeding me information before she even made her move.
For the first time since the fight began, I had the upper hand.
Luna's movements sharpened before my eyes as if someone had wiped away a fog. What had once been a blur of overwhelming speed and deadly precision now felt more like a dance I could follow. Each strike of her ōdachi's blade, each sharp curve of her body as she pressed forward with feline grace, came into focus. My parries became smoother, the force behind my blocks more powerful. I could feel the strength rising within me thanks to [Adaptive Predator], the skill pushing me beyond my limits, adapting to Luna's every move, and keeping me one step ahead. I could see it now—control of the battle was slipping from her grasp, and my instincts had caught up.
The clash of our swords sent ripples of force through the air, arcs of mana bursting free with every impact. Sparks flew off our blades as if they were alive, flickering like fireflies. The ground around us wasn't faring well. Massive gouges were ripped into the earth as the wild energy lashed out from each strike, sending shockwaves that rattled the cave. Dust and debris floated in the air, but I kept it under control. Mikazuki buzzed in my hand, connecting to me deeper than anything before. I had to keep her energy and my energy, from tearing apart the cave. And more importantly, from hitting my squad. My niggas didn't sign up to get thrown into this chaos.
Each time our blades met, I could feel her Ultra Skill abilities trying to creep back into my head, but [Adaptive Predator] had that shit on lock. My mind was fortified now. No longer could she manipulate my thoughts or senses. That little mind trick she pulled earlier? Nah. Not again. I had learned. My brain had evolved from that fight, and now my thoughts moved freely, powered by spirit energy and magick, and untouched by Luna's influence. She would never control me like that again.
But one problem still lingered. Each time I landed a hit, every time I exploited an opening and punished her for it, this relentless pain slammed into my skull like a freight train. A punishment that tried to cripple me with every successful strike. I'd shake off one hit, and another wave would come crashing down like a goddamn tsunami. It was a migraine multiplied by a thousand, escalating with every hit I landed, dragging me to the edge of consciousness. [Adaptive Predator] was fighting alongside me, wrestling with the pain, but I could feel it digging deeper. If I wasn't me, I wondered how another person would have faired. A regular human would've dropped dead after the third strike, no doubt. But me? Nah, I kept going.
It was thirty seconds of hell, the pain ramping up sixfold with every blow I dealt. I thought I was done, my mind fraying like old rope, when the Prime Realm System chimed in, its voice like a raindrop in the middle of a drought.
Prime Realm System: «New Defensive Skills acquired, [Pain Nullification] installed, [Mental Ignorance] installed.»
And just like that, the agony was gone. A weight lifted off my chest as if someone had thrown open a door to fresh air after drowning. Inner peace returned, and with it, my focus sharpened to a knife's edge. Luna's attacks were nothing now—each strike was blocked effortlessly, my grin growing wider as her frustration mounted. I could see the change in her, the disbelief flashing through her eyes as she realized her tricks were no longer working.
I couldn't help myself. "Thank you, Luna," I said, catching her blade with mine and shoving her back. "You reminded me that pain isn't just physical. I got comfortable. That's on me. But…" I parried her next attack with ease, spinning on my heel and planting a solid kick into her stomach, sending her flying back, skidding across the ground. "It's time to end this."
She tumbled back, and when she finally stopped, we were standing in the middle of what had once been a dense forest. Now, it was a wasteland. Trees were reduced to splinters, hills flattened under the weight of our attacks. The area within 40 kilometers was a scar on the land, and I figured it was about time to put Luna to sleep.
From behind me, I could feel the amused thoughts of my crew reaching out.
Luda (thinking): "This nigga's finally looking like himself. Took him long enough."
Steez (thinking): "Ok then, Xi. I thought she had you pressed, for a moment."
Alex (thinking): "He's looking like he's back to normal with that one arm. Hopefully, they don't destroy the cave while fighting."
Artamis decided to yell, "Wrap this up, Xi! We still gotta go in the labyrinth."
Without taking my eyes off Luna, who was regaining her stance and glaring at me with those slit, gleaming heterochromatic eyes, I smirked. "That was my thought exactly." My left arm still healing, but it didn't matter. This fight was mine to finish.
Earlier in the fight, I realized maybe I was approaching the solution the wrong way. Luna was a living embodiment of my swordsmanship, mirroring my every movement, every instinct. Trying to pull any Mikazuki-no-Ken techniques would have been a waste. I knew she would just throw them right back at me and annoy the hell out of me. But something else was off. She wasn't using any offensive mana arts or personal skills. This nekomata spirit who could tear through mountains like paper, was relying only on her Ultra Skill. That meant something had to be up.
Testing a theory, I raised my arm and cast [Wind Mana Arts: Air Blades], sending three sharp, crescent-shaped blades of wind toward her. The air cracked with a sharp whip as the blades cut through at the speed of sound, homing in on her. I expected her to dodge, to move, but instead, Luna didn't even blink. The moment the wind blades neared her, they slammed into an invisible barrier, shimmering faintly before vanishing into nothing.
I watched, studying the flicker of energy around her. [Sage Wisdom] hit me with the truth I needed. She wasn't just reflecting my attacks; she had replicated my defenses too. Everything I had up—every magical ward, aura, and barrier—she was cloaking herself in the same. If I wanted to land a real hit on her, I'd have to beat my own defenses first. Damn tricky, but I had another plan.
"Mommy's waiting," she teased with a sly grin.
I returned the smirk. "Sorry, the spirit of science lives strong in me. But I'm done playing."
Sheathing my [Spirit Weapon], I felt Mikazuki fade from my hand, dissolving into the air. I stretched out my arm, palm first, aiming it straight at Luna.
Alex's voice rang out from behind me. "He put up his sword? Why?"
Luda didn't miss a beat. "He must've figured something out."
Luna's expression shifted, a slight tilt of confusion crossing her face as she saw me unarmed. I couldn't help but wink at her, a grin forming as I prepared to execute my second theory. It was time to stop playing.
With my free hand, I activated [Soul Dominion]. My Bio Mana surged outward, crackling like electricity, charging the very air around us. You could practically taste the energy, like a static buzz crawling across the skin, heavy with dominance. I wasn't asking Luna for a fight anymore—I was demanding control.
"Submit to your master."
The spiritons making up her current form—every piece of her existence—responded to my command. It happened in an instant, her entire being falling under my control like dominos toppling in rapid succession. Her confident stance faltered.
"Yaaow, what are you doing? How are you doing that?" Luna's voice broke, filled with alarm as her body stiffened against her will.
I gave a slow, deliberate smile. "Be a good girl and come give me a kiss as an apology for my arm."
With a flick of my wrist, Luna's paralyzed form slid toward me, her body helpless under my command. My hand wrapped around her neck, her soft skin warm against my fingers. The scent of jasmine filled the air, mixing with something else—something more intoxicating, driving me wild.
Her wide eyes locked onto mine, my indigo mana-coated meeting her emerald & cerulean gaze. I could see fear, excitement, and a flicker of something deeper—arousal. She didn't need to speak for me to know what was going through her mind. I had been going about this all wrong earlier. She didn't just want to fight; she wanted something more primal.
Pulling her closer, I kissed her deeply. Her lips tasted sweet, like ripe strawberries, and as our lips locked, I could feel the struggle, the will to resist, begin to fade. Her body softened in my grip, and after a moment of shock, she kissed me back, matching my passion. Our mana signatures flared wildly, intertwining like a violent storm, creating a cyclone of energy around us. It was raw, explosive, a mixture of power and desire all at once. We were locked in that moment, an unspoken connection forming as her emotions flooded into me—joy, sadness, fear, and passion, all bundled into her ancient soul.
It wasn't just a kiss. It was an exchange, a deep connection that transcended words. For the first time, I understood a piece of her—the depth of the life she carried, the weight of all her years. She had existed for far longer than I had, and while I didn't get all the answers to her story, I knew I would come to learn them in time.
When we finally parted, her eyes sparkled with a seductive and contented glow, lips curled into a teasing smile. She looked more beautiful than ever before, and I could feel the shift in her.
"Aww, you cheated. Fine, I'm yours then," Luna purred.
Before I could even respond, the Prime Realm System's voice echoed in my mind.
«Requirements met, activating [Soul Contract]. Connecting both parties. Establishing service and empowerment.»
Luna blinked, now able to see my mana pool, her voice filled with surprise. "Wow, that's so much mana. You crazy man, there was no way I was going to beat you with that much power. But thank you for playing with me." Her words melted into a purr as her body dissolved into crimson energy, her form evaporating into a mist of spiritual power that swirled into my aura.
I stood there, dazed for a moment as the Prime Realm System continued bombarding me with information.
«Power distribution complete. The contract is placed at 85% to 15%. The [Soul Binding] shall now proceed. New ability skill [Guardian Armament] learned. A new guardian armament [Red Queen: Kyttin Luna] has been installed. A new ultra skill called [Who Is Jill Scott] has been installed. New personal subskills [Absolute Hypnosis], [Sensory Manipulation], [Self-Illusion], [Kyttin's Payback], and [Sugar Mommy] installed. Installing personal skills [Immortal Connection], [Skill Tree Link], [Master's Command], and [Master's Gifts]. Raising power cap on Seedless Soul, Xiro Mikazuki, to adjust for the additional 25% increase in battle power. Error detected. Seedless Soul, Xiro Mikazuki, current power cap has been increased manually. Adding new boost to the new adjusted levels. The [Soul Binding] is complete.»
I rubbed the back of my neck, overwhelmed by the sheer flood of new information.
"What in the unholy fuck…"
The amount of new abilities and power hitting me felt like getting smacked by a pillow barrage, but instead of soft, it was stiff and damn near smothering. My body buzzed with new energy, acclimating to the monumental changes now taking place inside me.
The storm of magical energy dissipated in an instant, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet. The rush of the Prime Realm System's notifications faded, and for a moment, I stood there, still feeling the weight of everything that had just happened. Luna—or rather, Kyttin Luna, the Red Queen—had merged into my soul, her presence now a quiet hum of power beneath my skin. The air around me felt charged with lingering mana, the scent of ionized particles and burnt ozone filling my lungs before the stench of Goblin Cave crept back into the atmosphere, earthy and damp. The magitons, which had flared violently during our fight, settled back into the environment, almost as if they were returning to their natural rhythm.
The area was wrecked from our battle, the ground shattered and twisted by the sheer force of the power we had unleashed. Yet, despite the carnage, the entrance to Goblin Cave still stood intact behind my crew. The Wolfpak was huddled there, waiting for me. Their silhouettes were still, as if caught in disbelief before Alex's loud voice pierced the air.
"Xiro did it! That shit was niggah lit!" he hollered, his excitement contagious.
Steez, leaning against a boulder with his arms crossed, nodded and corrected our cousin. "He means, lit, my nigga. But yeah, that shit was turnt."
Artamis grinned, shaking his head. "See, I knew you could do it, Xi. You just had to put your mind to it."
Luda couldn't help but get in on the fun. "Yeah, and give an arm for that shit." His comment was quick, and before I could even respond, Artamis and Steez burst into laughter, doubling over at the joke.
I glanced down at my missing arm, noticing it still mending itself, layers of flesh and sinew knitting back together at a steady pace. It was a reminder that no matter the battle, I could always adapt and win—physically and now, in a way, mentally. I chuckled, shaking my head as I turned toward the crew.
"Y'all niggas quick with the funnies," I said, a smirk pulling at the corner of my lips. "I can't wait to see the shit y'all go through to get yours."
Luda raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Well, ain't nobody tell you to summon a—what do you like to call 'em? A bad bitch? She was almost too much for you to handle."
I exhaled, releasing a deep breath as if I'd been holding it throughout the entire fight. My [Devil 3rd Eye] flickered off, my vision returning to normal as I walked toward them, the faint crackle of residual mana trailing in the air behind me. The satisfaction of victory simmered in my chest, along with a quiet joy I wasn't going to share out loud. A third of the Twilight Goddess was finally where she belonged, and I knew the full extent of what that meant. I could still feel her presence, like a shadow over my shoulder, a constant, comforting power.
"Yeah, but she's mine now," I said, more to myself than anyone else.
Alex snickered. "I guess he did mack her into submission."
Artamis let out a low laugh, shifting the rifle on his shoulder as he sized me up. "Hell, I guess he did. So, nigga, are you finally ready?"
The teasing and light banter filled the space, but it was a relief. The intensity of the fight had been exhausting in a way, but I felt recharged now, the rush of mana still coursing through me. I had a new [Guardian Armament], The Red Queen, along with a new Ultra Skill that made me eager to test them in the next battle. This was only the beginning of something bigger.
I nodded at Artamis. "Yeah, we're good. Let's move."
With that, we turned toward the gaping maw of Goblin Cave, ready for whatever lay ahead.
[End of Chapter]
[1] November on Earth