Tbate: Resurgence

-Chapter 2 : Darkening Heart-

Arthur Leywin

It had been a few months since I left Xyrus City and everything behind. Those initial days were filled with confusion and hurt. I could still see the looks on their faces—the disgust, the betrayal. They lingered, haunting me like shadows I couldn’t shake off. But here, deep in the heart of the Beast Glades, I could breathe again.

I spent nearly every waking moment pushing my limits, wandering the vast, treacherous terrain in search of mana beasts and going through dungeons to test my growing power. Six out of every seven days, I lived solely in the Glades, returning to the city only briefly to stock up on supplies. One might think this routine would slowly drive me to madness, the isolation gnawing away at my sanity. Surprisingly, it wasn’t so bad. Perhaps because I wasn’t entirely alone.

Sylvie had been with me from the start, her presence a constant, silent companion that kept my thoughts from spiraling into the abyss. I had sent her to the Beast Glades before that conversation with my former family, knowing full well I wouldn’t be able to keep my resolve if I had to endure their judgment while feeling her worry through our bond. It was hard, explaining to her that we wouldn’t be going back to them—that our lives were now solely our own. Yet, it had been the right decision.

Since then, the two of us had thrived out here. I had grown stronger, my core progressing to the light yellow stage in a matter of months with meditation to cultivate mana and use of beast cores from the mana beasts I killed. The relentless battles and constant use of mana had forced my body and mind to adapt. Every mana beast I slew, every elemental spell I practiced, honed me further. I focused mainly on wind and earth elements, allowing me improve upon them through tackling hordes of mana beasts that lurked within the Glades.

My deviant element of gravity had also seen considerable improvement. I was beginning to explore the possibilities of unlocking my wind deviant—sound. The idea of mastering a new element was thrilling.

But it wasn’t just me. Sylvie’s rate of growth far surpassed my own. She was evolving, not just physically but in how she utilized mana. Watching her transform, becoming more attuned to her abilities, made me feel proud like a father. She was my partner in every sense, an anchor that kept me from losing myself in the solitude of these wilds.

I had also been utilizing Sylvia’s Will—her legacy that she entrusted to me when I was just four. Even after months of employing the integrated phase of her will and gradually extending the duration I could maintain it, I felt like I hadn’t even scratched the surface of its true potential. This power wasn’t just a simple boost to my strength; it felt different. It was as if the will allowed me to tap into a potential already within me in ways that my body could understand, but my mind could not fully grasp.

Using it came with a pang of guilt that gnawed at me every time I channeled that power. I had promised Sylvia I would live a fulfilling life, something she had sacrificed so much to grant me, yet here I was, isolated, consumed by my past and left with only my drive to become stronger. What irony. Each time I felt her will coursing through me, I was reminded of that unfulfilled promise. Now, as I stood in the silence of the Beast Glades, I couldn’t help but ponder if this was truly the path she envisioned for me.

Just as I was reflecting on these past few months, Sylvie’s voice rang through our link, breaking my train of thought.

“Papa, there’s something coming this way, and it’s strong.”

“Yeah, I know. I sensed it too. Probably an S-rank mana beast,” I replied as I rose to my feet, stretching my limbs. I had been lying against the trunk of a tree, resting from the morning's exertion, but now, the mana signature approaching was getting closer, its oppressive aura pressing down on the surrounding forest.

As the creature came into view, my eyes narrowed. It was a hound—a hell hound, to be precise. These creatures usually varied in strength from A to AA rank, depending on whether they had two heads or three. But this one was different. It towered over me, its size easily three to four times greater than mine. Its sleek, jet-black coat glistened in the dim forest light, every muscle rippling under its skin as it moved with a deadly grace.

Three heads snarled at me, each pair of eyes glowing a malevolent red. Their mouths parted to reveal rows of jagged fangs, dripping with saliva that sizzled as it hit the forest floor. The left and right heads bore fiery orange hair and curved black horns, while the central head was concealed behind a gray mask, a wild mane of orange fur flaring out like a crown around it.

But what struck me most was the aura surrounding it—a thick, black miasma that pulsated like a heartbeat. It made the air heavy and stifling, as if the beast was bending the very mana of the forest to its will. This was no ordinary S-rank. The aura exuding from it was darker, more sinister. My instincts screamed danger. It felt almost unnatural, like the creature had been corrupted or twisted by something far more powerful than just raw mana.

“Stay Away, I'll handle this, Sylv,” I murmured, my gaze fixed on the hell hound as I reached for the hilt of my sword. She nodded silently, her form tensing in preparation for what was to come.

The hound let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the forest. Its left and right heads spewed streams of flame, scorching the earth around it. I could feel the heat from where I stood, and I realized this fight would require everything I had learned in these past months.

Drawing my sword, I channeled mana into the blade, feeling the familiar hum of energy as it flowed through me. I took a deep breath, focusing on the earth beneath my feet. The ground responded, the subtle tremors and vibrations feeding me information about my surroundings. This was no ordinary fight; I could feel it in my bones.

The hell hound charged, its massive paws thundering against the ground. In an instant, I leaped to the side, summoning a gust of wind to propel me out of its path. The beast skidded to a halt, its claws gouging deep trenches in the earth as it pivoted to face me, snarling.

"Fast for its size," I noted, my mind already calculating the possibilities. The beast’s aura flared, and I braced myself as it lunged again, its three heads snapping viciously in my direction.

"Well then let's dance, shall We?" I said with wide smirk while channeling wind mana into my sword.