[Third Person's PoV]
A Few days later…
Shadow stood before Captain Haitani, the commanding leader of the camp where Cid had chosen to reside. Captain Haitani stood rigid, trying to maintain a façade of composure. Yet, standing so close to Shadow, the mere presence of his overwhelming power pressed on Haitani like a crushing wave even while it was suppressed. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and he swallowed hard, the subtle tremor in his breath betraying his nerves.
Behind Haitani were Akane, one of Cid's shadow clones, and Yuuka observed the exchange with faint, knowing smiles, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Shadow's gaze was cold, unyielding, as he spoke in a voice as sharp as a blade. "So, Captain, what is your decision?"
Haitani inhaled deeply, steadying the chaotic drumbeat of his heart. "Can you truly put an end to all of this?" His voice was a low rasp, the question heavy with the desperation of a man cornered.
"I am a man of my word," Shadow replied coldly.
Haitani's eyes flickered with doubt, his brow creasing. "But how can we trust you? You appeared out of nowhere, showing power beyond comprehension. If you can indeed end this nightmare, then I will pledge my loyalty to you, without hesitation." The captain's voice was firm, though an edge of defiance laced his words.
Shadow's head tilted ever so slightly, a ghost of a frown playing at the corners of his lips. "Do you take me for a fool?" The air around them seemed to freeze, and a suffocating aura descended on Haitani. It felt as though an unseen hand clamped down on his throat, squeezing the very breath from his lungs. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air. The pressure was relentless, like the cold stare of death itself judging him.
Haitani's vision blurred, unable to lift his head from the cracked, dusty ground. His instincts screamed that to look up would be to invite death. A shaky gasp escaped him as the oppressive force threatened to consume him.
"Enough!" Akane stepped forward, her expression taut with concern as she met Shadow's gaze. "Please, there is no need for this."
Shadow's dark eyes narrowed. "Are you questioning my judgment as well?"
Akane drew in a breath, steadying herself. "No, Lord Shadow," she said softly but firmly. "Forgive the captain's hesitation. He is unsure, but we are not."
Shadow's eyes bored into hers, searching for even a hint of deception. When he found none, his gaze softened, barely. "I granted you all seven days to decide. That was more mercy than most receive. Your indecision itself is a decision."
Akane's eyes widened, and she spoke quickly. "We have decided. Captain Haitani's doubts do not reflect ours. We are prepared to pledge ourselves to your cause."
Shadow's stern expression shifted into a small, approving nod. "Good. You show wisdom." He turned, the hem of his cloak fluttering as he began to stride away.
"Wait," Akane called, her voice steady as she helped the trembling Haitani to his feet. The captain's eyes were wide, filled with both fear and awe.
Shadow paused, his silhouette framed against the darkening horizon. "What is it?" he asked, his tone distant but curious.
Akane took a step forward, her gaze unwavering. "What do you plan to do once you defeat the one behind this?"
A smirk curled Shadow's lips, though only those closest could see the glint of ambition in his eyes. "I will rebuild this civilization better than what it ever was…" With that, his form sank seamlessly into his own shadow and disappeared, leaving only a whisper of dark energy in his wake.
Haitani stared at the spot where Shadow had stood, his breath ragged. The implications of that parting promise struck him like a blow. 'So that's his aim… complete domination. He means to rule the world.' He turned to Akane, eyes wide with realization. "Do you think it was wise to submit to him?" he asked, his voice a fragile echo.
Akane's smile was weary, a blend of resignation and determination. "What other choice did we have?"
Haitani let out a low, humorless laugh. "I suppose you're right."
---
Shadow emerged within his shadow realm, He pulled back his hood, revealing Cid's youthful face, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh?" he said, raising an eyebrow as a surge of energy pulsed nearby. "Looks like she's close to breaking through." He chuckled, rubbing his chin in mock thought. "Ah, it's time for this Young Master to witness his dear sister face her heavenly tribulation."
With a single step, he moved effortlessly across the dark expanse and reappeared at the edge of an ethereal clearing. There, Claire sat in a perfect lotus position, eyes closed in intense concentration as brilliant mana pulsed around her. Sparks of lightning crackled along her skin, Her brows furrowed, sweat glistening on her brow as she drew in more mana, purifying her core.
Cid folded his arms, suppressing a grin as his eyes glimmered with pride. A bolt of lightning arced dangerously close, ruffling his hair, but he remained unfazed, his focus locked on Claire. Silently, he extended a thread of his own mana, steadying her flow without disrupting her concentration.
Suddenly, the lightning surrounding Claire intensified, her mana core began to become integrated into her being becoming a part of her. The lightning began to change colors going from yellow, to blue, to purple, to green, to white, to red, before it started to gain a black hue and began to darken… A shockwave burst forth, carving a crater into the earth as Claire floated above it, eyes still closed. The ground trembled as the dark energy subsided, leaving only the soft hum of power in the air.
Claire's eyes fluttered open, revealing dark eyes with a black glow as tendrils of lightning danced at their edges. "This… power," she whispered, awe dripping from her voice.
Cid stepped forward, pressing his fist to his palm and bowing with mock formality. "Congratulations Junior Martial Sister on your breakthrough and conquering your heavenly tribulation… It seems you have benefited and absorbed the highest ordered of the heavenly tribulation and used it to transform your constitution into the Yin Lightning Physique"
Claire mimicked his gesture, a grin splitting her face."Phttt…Thank you Senior Martial Brother, It's only made possible because of your support that I was able to advance in my Heavenly Dao of Lighting,"
They exchanged glances, and suddenly both burst into laughter, the tension of the moment shattered.
"Hahaha, man I forgot you would be able to understand my references" Cid said as he wiped his tears from laughing.
Claire chuckled before looking at Cid excitedly, "Now tell the titles the great Dao has bestowed upon my achievements of passing my heavenly tribulation! I heard the other girls gained super cool titles when they broke through as well"
Cid's gaze turned serious as he assessed her, eyes glinting with a deeper, ancient power. Claire felt a shiver crawl down her spine, as if every fiber of her being was laid bare under his scrutiny.
"You my dear sister…" Cid began
****************************************
A/N: I'll leave the title granting to you guys, so come up with some really good ones 👍
[Third Person's PoV]
"You my dear sister, are the Goddess of The Sword and Black Lightning, The Reaper of the Shadows, The Monarch Slayer, She Who Draws Her Blade for Death, The Incestuous Bro-Con, Death's Eternal Sister, and The Bride of Shadow and Death"
"Incestuous Bro-Con!?" Claire exclaimed, taken aback, "I'm not a bro-con!"
"That's the part that you deny?" Cid asked, looking at her weirdly.
Claire blushed slightly as she pouted, she was pressing her fingers together as she muttered, "Well I won't deny that we've done some… Stuff… But a Bro-Con?"
Cid spread his arms wide, tilting his head back with a mischievous grin as he closed his eyes. "Just tell me you love me~," he teased, his voice lilting.
"LOVE THIS, YOU BASTARD!" Claire shouted, her face burning bright red. With a burst of energy, she launched herself at him, delivering a perfectly executed dropkick to his chest.
The impact sent Cid staggering a step back, yet he barely flinched. He brushed the front of his shirt as if removing a speck of dust, his expression completely unbothered. Meanwhile, Claire landed gracefully, flipping in the air before brushing her hair back with an exaggerated flourish. Her smug smile faded when she noticed Cid staring at her with a calm, straight-faced expression.
"Now, come on," she said, her irritation quickly replaced by a cheerful grin. "It's time for that sibling bonding time you promised."
Cid scoffed lightly as he fell in step beside her. "Funny how the same person complaining about the titles seems to enjoying them."
Claire scratched her cheek sheepishly, letting out a small chuckle. "Alright, I admit it. I kind of like the titles. 'She Who Draws Her Blade for Death' has a certain gravitas, even if it's long. And 'Death's Eternal Sister'? That one's my favorite."
Cid allowed a faint smile to touch his lips, his hand instinctively reaching out to ruffle her hair. The gesture was brief but filled with brotherly affection. Without another word, he teleported them out of the void and back into the world above.
They reappeared in a vast open field under a golden sky. Claire blinked, taking in the serene surroundings before glancing at Cid with a wary look. "Shouldn't I practice with these powers a bit before diving into the fight against the big boss?"
Cid waved dismissively. "You'll get plenty of practice inside. He's holed up on the top floor of his little fortress, so we'll have to climb our way up."
"Ah, I see," Claire said, her tone shifting to excitement. "We're going to fight his minions first. Perfect!"
Cid unsheathed his ebony sword, its blade radiating a dark, ominous aura. The air around them seemed to grow heavier as he sliced through the fabric of reality itself, tearing open an entrance to a hidden dimension. The cut rippled like curtains of liquid shadow, and Cid casually pulled them aside, revealing a fiery realm within.
He gestured grandly toward the portal. "As they say, ladies first."
Claire curtsied dramatically, holding the hem of her skirt. "Why, thank you, good sir," she teased before stepping through.
Cid followed, shaking his head with a chuckle. The dimensional rift sealed shut behind them, leaving the field empty once more.
Inside, Claire's eyes widened as she took in the scene. They stood amidst the ruins of a once-great city, the crumbled buildings now engulfed in roaring flames. The air was thick with ash and the distant sound of agonized wails. Towering over the desolation was an enormous infernal castle, its spires piercing the blood-red sky like jagged teeth.
Her gaze landed on a monstrous figure lying before the castle gates—a colossal, three-headed dog resting atop the scorched earth. "Is that… Cerberus?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
The beast stirred at the sound, its three heads rising in unison. Their ears twitched as their glowing eyes locked onto the intruders. A low, menacing growl rumbled from their throats, and flames flickered between their snarling teeth.
Claire's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can we keep him?" she asked, turning to Cid with a hopeful grin.
Cid blinked, looking at her as if she'd just grown another head. "What?"
"I mean, just look at him! He's so cute!" Claire cooed, switching to a baby voice as she took a tentative step toward the beast.
Cerberus responded with a deafening roar, all three heads inhaling deeply before spewing a torrent of blazing fire directly at her.
Claire sighed as the flames roared toward her in slow motion. "Okay, never mind," she muttered, extending her hand. A ripple of dark slime coalesced into a blade, nearly identical to Cid's but encased in an ornate scabbard. Her eyes sparked with black lightning as she thumbed the hilt, releasing it with a satisfying click.
In an instant, she disappeared, leaving a streak of black lightning in her wake. She weaved around Cerberus, her movements too fast for the creature to follow. Moments later, she reappeared in her original spot, sheathing her blade with a sharp snap.
All three of Cerberus's heads slid cleanly from their necks. The massive body collapsed in neat, symmetrical pieces as though sliced by an impossibly sharp knife.
Cid raised an eyebrow. "I've been meaning to ask. Why is your lightning black?"
Claire shrugged as she crouched to inspect the remains. "Your blood. I infused my power with it. Turns out, it works wonders."
She picked up a thick collar from one of the severed necks. As she held it, the oversized object shrank to fit neatly in her hands. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she wrapped the spiked collar around her neck.
She posed dramatically, tilting her head and fluttering her lashes. "Well? How do I look?"
Cid rolled his eyes. "I'd rather not say."
Claire pouted, sticking out her tongue and holding her hands up like paws. "Come on, big brother. You can say it—you own me now."
Cid's lip twitched in irritation. "They should add 'pervert' to your list of titles."
She sighed dramatically, removing the collar. "You're no fun. I guess I'll save it for the bedroom—oh, wait. Is this a key?" She inspected the collar closely. Sure enough, a small, ornate key was embedded in its design.
"What kind of idiot leaves the key to their fortress on their guard dog's collar?" she muttered.
"The arrogant kind," Cid replied. "The kind that doesn't expect anyone to defeat their pet."
Claire pocketed the key and unlocked the massive doors to the infernal castle. As she did, a low growl made her freeze. Turning slowly, she saw a smaller, shadowy version of Cerberus—this one glowing with black and purple energy—sitting patiently with its tongues lolling and tail wagging.
"Since you wanted one so badly," Cid said with a shrug, "I made you your own."
Claire's eyes filled with tears of joy as she tackled him in a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she cried, peppering his face with kisses. "You're the best brother ever!"
"Please don't say that after kissing me…"
Claire giggled before bounding over to her new companion. "Come here, you big furball!" she shouted, burying her face in its fur.
The shadowy Cerberus let out a happy bark, its tail wagging furiously. Cid crossed his arms, watching the scene with a faint smirk. "You two deserve each other." he teased.
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