A Universe of Bloody Evolution

'This was never her intention, Leo,' Nyx whispered suddenly. 'All Nikra ever wanted was to live and help the Multiverse heal. Yes, she messed up, but she didn't do this to k-'

Don't... Leo growled, shutting his eyes. Just don't. I couldn't care less about what she wanted. Not now. She was an ancient goddess, for fuck's sake. If she couldn't even predict something like this, then how the hell did she plan to help the Multiverse? Just admit it, Nyx, she was way over her head, still living in memories of the days of her glory.

'I...' Nyx began only to trail off. He could feel her trying to collect her thoughts, maybe even create a counterargument, yet she never succeeded. All their link relayed were words without meaning.

That's what I thought. Leo scoffed only to release a deep sigh. Listen Nyx... Remember what I told you before. Don't throw your life away for what is gone. Nikra is in the past, but you? You are the present and the future. Never forget that and build your own path, just as you said you would.

'I know what I said, Leo,' Nyx almost growled. 'But it's not easy to just forget about a major part that created me. There is a reason why I sound like her and why I'm more like her than Hunter. And that's because, unconsciously, Nikra created me in her image. I can't change that.'

Then don't forget... Never forget. Just don't let the past control your actions. Leo smiled as a chuckle slipped past his lips. And I know I probably sound like a hypocrite now, but this advice is something I always wanted to follow. Don't make the same mistakes as I did.

The shadows under Leo's cloak suddenly hugged his body tighter, filling him with a much-welcome warmth. 'I will try,' Nyx mumbled. 'Thank you again, Leo... And wasn't I supposed to be the one to support you?'

Leo snorted, opening his eyes to the floating notifications. Small steps, Nyx. Even if you have the memories of three different beings, this is pretty much the first hour of your life. Just keep my words and your promise in mind; we can figure out the rest later.

'Understood.'

No more words came through the link, but it didn't mean it went silent. Buzzing thoughts and emotions filled their connection as Nyx was most likely still trying to process what they had discussed. This was fine for Leo; after all, he had plenty of System messages waiting for him.

The new skill and trait first. Let's see how screwed I am.

Ruthless Efficiency (Radiant)
Rage and Bloodlust unleashed. The world is yours for the taking, young Prime. Enemies, allies? They don't matter as long as you achieve your goal.
Effects (3 Stages):
Ignite: Your perception of the world and battle prowess is enhanced.
Blaze: Strengthens the boost gained from the previous stage. Will activate automatically after overuse of Ignite or upon suffering heavy injuries. Reduces your mind to a slightly more primal state.
Inferno: Rage and bloodlust fuel your abilities, enhancing them even further. Will activate automatically after overuse of Blaze or upon suffering critical injuries. Inferno cannot be stopped until its hunger for death is satisfied. Whether it comes from enemies or allies, it doesn't matter to you anymore.

Leo swallowed hard. He expected a lot from the combination of a Unique and Rare skill, but this was not it. Hell, he didn't even know such an ability could exist, but considering what the System showed before, maybe he should have.

Brand new quality and three stages... Another curse within a blessing.

The Ignite stage was easy to understand as it pretty much carried all the advantages of Focused Bloodlust without any of its cons. Then there was the Blaze stage, and while things grew a bit concerning there, Leo could still deal with all the disadvantages coming his way. He did it before, after all.

Now, the Inferno was where the real trouble began.

It can be useful if I'm all alone with only Voidlings around me. But what if I'm not? What if I kill someone I shouldn't? Shit! Leo growled, clenching his fist. A two-edged sword only waiting to cut me in the most unfortunate moment... Fucking hell, so this is what it means to have my bloodlust and rage completely unleashed...

'Indeed,' Nyx spoke through the link, her voice soft. 'If I was like Hunter, I would be able to stop you from entering the final stage... As it is, all I can do is help you handle the rage when it comes. Maybe in the future that will change, but...'

It's fine. Leo reassured when Nyx trailed off. However, even if he said it, deep inside, he knew all of this was far from okay. Like I said, we can figure it out later. For now, I will just need to be careful around other survivors...

Hearing no answer, Leo sighed and dismissed the skill description. He still had to check out the new trait.

True Bond (Unique)
Your Akirian Apex aspect might be dead, but out of this tragedy, something beautiful was born. A bond unlike any other. Unbreakable and always growing stronger. Two souls that are one.
Effects:
You are now soul-bonded to an eternally loyal entity, Nyx. Essence and affinity share possible. Mind synchronization perfected. Bond strength: Low.

Eternally loyal. Leo blinked, making sure he read it right. I guess that's where Hunter's pieces come in, along with Minor Takeover's aftereffects. And we can share our powers just like that... Could be useful, I guess.

'This is just the tip of an iceberg, Leo. Like the System says, out bond in unlike any other. The potential it hides is much more than just Essence and affinity share.'

Any specifics?

'... No. I can only feel the brimming power within it, nothing more,' Nyx answered a bit sheepishly.

Leo shrugged. What the link hid didn't really matter to him, at least not now. He had more notifications to read through for the time being.

What else do we got?

Technique Minor Takeover has advanced to Adept mastery. Congratulations!

At least now I know how to push this technique to a higher rank. Leo snorted, only to frown as he read through the new description. Huh... it didn't change at all. Well, except for the number... I can have five minions, but one spot is permanently taken by Nyx...

'I can hear you wondering... No, I don't feel any hold from your technique, just our link.'

Interesting. Leo hummed, poking at their connection with his own mind. Same on my side... So like always, shit just doesn't make sense. Wonderful...

The Nest of Shadow Tails has lost connection to its core. The nest is collapsing. You have approximately five minutes to escape this dimension.

Core? I completely forgot about this. Nyx, any idea what happened to it?

Nyx huffed internally. 'The Apex Shadow Claw was acting as the core. Thanks to your actions, that's no longer the case. And no, I don't carry anything like that inside me.'

Make sense I guess...

Congratulations, Nest of Shadow Tails conquered. Do you wish to destroy this instance completely or prepare an Ether tower? Bonus rewards will be lost upon choosing the second option. However, a Safe Zone may be created later using the tower.

So that's how it works. Leo noted. Bonus rewards would be nice, but not this time. We got what we wanted, now to finish it... System, prepare the Ether tower.

Acknowledged. Distributing standard rewards. Ether tower formation in progress. Stand by.

Even when a few more notifications appeared, Leo paid them no mind as his eyes fell on the remnants of the Void Gate. The destroyed structure trembled, the rubble around it erupting in bright light. A moment later, all the fissures within the gate ignited, golden fire slowly consuming the ground below.

Within the flames, the remnants of the gate danced, swirling and changing shapes. It went on for more than a minute as the fire climbed higher and higher, soon reaching the ceiling.

Leo took a few steps back, shielding his eyes. Even from so far, his skin burned, feeling as if hundreds of bees stung him all at once. Hell, not even Nyx was spared from the pain, as he could hear her whimpers through the link.

Hold on. It shouldn't last much longer... I hope.

For once, his prayers were heard as the pillar of fire faded away, leaving behind a golden tower. It easily reached the roof, and despite its thin build, the power it ozzed almost made Leo's skin crawl.

"The fuck was that? Why the hell is there a glowing obelisk in the middle of the building?!"

Sighing, Leo turned to the source of the shouting. "Clara," he muttered dryly. "How nice of you to join me. Now can you stop screaming? We don't need another horde here."

'I will protect you. Those weak insects won't touch you as long as I am here,' Nyx perked up like an eager puppy.

So not the point, Nyx...

"Someone's grumpy. A grumpy monster," Clara grinned before nodding to the obelisk. "So what is it? Identify's not telling me a thing."

Wait, really? Leo frowned and activated his own Identify. "Huh. You're right... Let's see."

Slowly approaching the tower, Leo placed a hand on its surface, ready to jerk it away. However, no such action was needed as a new notification appeared, momentarily pushing away the ones he had ignored until now.

Tower of Protection activated. Safe Zone creation available. Please proceed with the offered options. Time until the tower disappears: 23:59:43.

1. Create a temporary Safe Zone (Free)

2. Create a permanent Safe Zone (Unavailable. Job locked.)

Shit. Instantly, Leo turned to Clara. "Come here quickly." Only quirking an eyebrow, the woman obeyed. "Place your hand on it and tell me what you see."

"Okay?" Clara furrowed her brow, but did as was told. "Holy shit! Leo. This is it! I can swap my job right now and create a bloody Safe Zone! And a permanent one at that."

So it works. Thank the Void. Leo sighed, the tension leaving his body. For a moment there, he thought that maybe only he could use the tower. And with his job locked...

Yeah, all of this would have been for nothing.

"Are you doing this, or do we wait for Holden?" Leo spoke up.

Clara flinched, breaking her gaze away from the tower. "Tony. Definitely Tony," she stated with a firm nod. "Safe Zones are his specialty... Besides, I don't want to lose my current job."

"Fair enough... However, that leaves us with one problem. Who goes back? We can't leave this place unguarded."

For a moment, silence consumed the warehouse as Clara looked between Leo and the tower. "I will go," she muttered, grimacing. "I'm good against a Voidling or two, but if more come, I'm done for. Better if I run back and leave the protection detail to you."

Leo crossed his arms, leveling the woman with a stare. "You sure? The way here wasn't too hard, but you know how things can change."

Clara nodded. "I will be fine if I travel like you showed me. Just hold the fort, and I will return with Tony."

"Good luck then," Leo extended his hand. "And be quick, I don't think staying here during the night is a good idea. Not without a Safe Zone active."

"Roger, Roger!" Clara grinned, clasping their hands together. "See ya."

As the woman broke the handshake and walked away, Leo reached into his mind. Nyx... Think you can go after her? I can't risk her dying now. Time might not be on our side.

'I... I don't like leaving you, but I understand,' Nyx grumbled as shadows slithered out of Leo's cloak. They quickly reformed into the body of an Apex Shadow Claw. 'I will protect the human if that's what you wish.'

Patting the large beast's snout, Leo chuckled.

Thanks... Have fun, Nyx.