Chương 36: Chapter 36: Transformation in the Lightning Core
For the past week, Ei had been submerged in relentless training, harnessing the immense power of the Gem of Conquest. Yae, ever watchful and guiding, stood by her side, ensuring Ei's connection to the energy remained stable. Together, they trained at the very core of the Fox Sage Realm, atop the mystical lake filled with condensed lightning nature chakra, where the potent energy flowed like a river of pure, electrifying power.
The lake itself was an awe-inspiring sight, a shimmering expanse of violet water that crackled and pulsed with life. It was as if lightning had been captured and transformed into liquid, swirling in spirals of brilliant light that lit up the entire clearing. Every time Ei stepped on the surface of the lake, the energy responded to her, rippling out in arcs of electricity, as though recognizing her as one of its own.
The sky above them remained a constant shade of twilight, and the cherry blossom trees surrounding the lake were in perpetual bloom, their petals dancing in the wind like delicate confetti. Yet, for all the beauty surrounding them, Ei's mind was focused entirely on the task at hand—unlocking the full potential of the Gem, and in doing so, understanding the transformation that had been stirring within her.
She stood now at the center of the lake, eyes closed, her hands stretched outwards as the lightning natural energy flowed around her in a constant stream. Each day she spent here, she could feel the Gem of Conquest drawing more and more power to itself, feeding on the raw chakra of the realm.
"Breathe, Ei," Yae's voice came from the edge of the lake, calm and composed as always. "Feel the energy, let it flow through you. The Gem is like a conduit; it's pulling the energy toward you, but you must control it."
Ei nodded, focusing on the sensation of the energy swirling around her. It was as if the lightning itself had a consciousness, a will, and it was constantly probing her, testing her resolve. The Gem in her chest pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, and she could feel it drawing in the surrounding energy like a magnet, making her body buzz with raw power.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself as the energy intensified. It was exhilarating—feeling the lightning surge through her, amplifying her strength and sharpening her senses. But with that power came a strange sense of dissonance, as though her very essence was shifting. It was subtle at first, a feeling of detachment from her human self, but as the days went by, the transformation felt more pronounced.
"I can feel it… changing me," Ei muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she opened her eyes, gazing down at her hands. Electricity crackled between her fingers, dancing across her skin like restless fireflies.
Yae's ears twitched, and she gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable. "The Gem of Conquest holds immense power, Ei. It's not just a tool, but a force of nature—one that can reshape those who wield it. You've already begun to tap into its potential, but that also means you're becoming something… more."
Ei's gaze remained fixed on the energy surrounding her, watching as it spiraled upward in arcs of crackling light. "Something more…" she repeated, her voice trailing off. She had felt it ever since she touched the mask in Uzushiogakure, but now, after a week of training in this realm, it was undeniable. Her body, her chakra, everything about her was evolving. She didn't know what she was turning into, but it was clear that the Gem was awakening something deep within her.
Her focus shifted to the persistent itch that had begun to plague her since the start of the week. It was subtle at first, like an annoyance at the back of her mind, but over time, it had grown into a constant distraction. It started at the crown of her head, like a tingle just beneath the skin, and with each passing day, it intensified, as if something was trying to push its way out.
She raised her hand to her head, running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to soothe the sensation, but the itch persisted, a nagging reminder that her transformation was not yet complete.
"Yae… this itch," Ei said, her voice strained with frustration. "It's been bothering me for days. It feels like something's about to come out."
Yae's crimson eyes flickered with curiosity as she observed Ei's discomfort. "It could be a sign that the power of the Gem is manifesting in a more tangible way," she said thoughtfully, stepping closer to the lake's edge. "When a being of great power begins to transcend their limitations, their body often changes to accommodate that power. You may be on the verge of such a transformation."
Ei clenched her fists, trying to focus on her training despite the growing irritation. "What am I turning into?"
Yae tilted her head, considering Ei's question. "I cannot say for certain," she admitted. "The Gem of Conquest is not something I've ever encountered before. Its power is vast, but it's not something native to this world. Whatever transformation it's triggering in you, it's tied to the nature of the Gem itself."
Taking a deep breath, Ei closed her eyes once again, forcing herself to focus. She could feel the energy surging around her, the lightning responding to her every movement. With a single thought, she could command the energy to spiral toward her, wrapping her in a cocoon of electricity. The power was intoxicating, and with each day, she felt herself growing stronger, more attuned to the natural energy of the realm.
But beneath that power, there was a sense of unease. The more she harnessed the energy of the lake, the more she felt her humanity slipping away. It wasn't just the power changing her—it was something deeper, something primal that was awakening inside her.
"The lightning… it's more than just energy," Ei muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as she gazed into the lake's shimmering surface. "It feels like it's alive… like it's responding to me."
Yae nodded slowly. "That's the nature of the Gem. It draws in the element it's aligned with and magnifies it. You're becoming more than just a wielder of lightning—you're becoming its embodiment."
Ei's heart raced at Yae's words. The idea of becoming one with the element itself was both thrilling and terrifying. She could feel the power coursing through her, reshaping her very essence, but what would that mean for her future? Would she lose herself entirely to the power of the Gem?
She shook her head, pushing the thought aside. Now was not the time for doubts. She had come too far to turn back now. With a deep breath, she steeled her resolve and extended her hand toward the lake once more.
As she concentrated, the water beneath her began to stir, and the lightning energy surged upward in a torrent of crackling light. Ei could feel it wrapping around her, amplifying her strength, her senses, and her awareness. The energy was drawn to her, as if the Gem in her chest was a beacon, calling it forth.
Suddenly, the itch at the crown of her head flared up again, more intense than ever. Ei winced, her hand instinctively flying to the spot as the sensation grew unbearable. It felt like something was trying to break free, to push its way out of her skin.
"What's happening to me?" she gasped, her voice strained as she tried to suppress the overwhelming sensation.
Yae stepped forward, her eyes narrowing in concern. "Ei, listen to me. You're undergoing a transformation—a fundamental change brought on by the Gem. You need to stay focused. Don't let the power consume you."
"I'm trying!" Ei gritted her teeth, her body trembling with the strain of containing the energy surging within her. She could feel the lightning coursing through her veins, intensifying with each passing second. Her heart pounded in her chest, and the Gem pulsed in time with it, drawing more and more energy to itself.
As the energy swirled around her, Ei felt her vision blur, her senses heightened to an almost unbearable degree. The world around her seemed to flicker in and out of focus, and the itch at the crown of her head grew into a burning sensation, as if her body was trying to forcefully eject something.
She fell to her knees, gasping for breath as the energy threatened to overwhelm her. But amidst the chaos, a single thought echoed in her mind—a memory of the dream she had experienced after touching the mask in Uzushiogakure.
**The Gem of Conquest… the Herrscher of Origin…**
Raiden Mei's voice had spoken to her in that dream, offering her the power of the Herrscher. But what exactly was a Herrscher? And what was the true nature of the power she now wielded?
Yae had asked her that same question earlier, and now, with the energy of the Gem threatening to tear her apart, Ei finally understood.
"A Herrscher…" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling energy. "It's not just a wielder of power. It's more than that. A Herrscher is… the embodiment of their element. A god of their concept."
With those words, Ei felt a sense of clarity wash over her. The power surging within her, the transformation she was undergoing—it was all part of the process of becoming something more. She wasn't just harnessing the power of the Gem; she was becoming one with it, with the very element it represented.
"Yae… I understand now," Ei said, her voice steady
as she stood once more. The energy around her stabilized, and the burning sensation at the crown of her head dulled, though it didn't disappear entirely.
Yae's eyes gleamed with approval. "Good. You've taken your first step toward understanding what you're becoming. Now, you must embrace it. Do not fear the change, Ei. It's part of who you are now."
Ei nodded, her heart pounding with determination as she gazed out over the lake, the lightning energy still swirling around her like a living entity. The transformation wasn't complete, but she knew now that whatever she was becoming, it was something greater than human. Something powerful.
And with that power came responsibility—a responsibility to wield it wisely, to protect those she cared about, and to shape the world in her own image.
The days of training were far from over, but Ei knew one thing for certain.
She was no longer just Ei. She was on the path to becoming something far more—an embodiment of the storm.
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End of Chapter 36
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