Dancing on the golden ashes

I extended my hand, my fingers outstretched. With an almost instinctual motion, I grasped the air itself, pulling on it. The cold, dense energy wrapped around my fingers, its power thick and palpable. I pulled harder, drawing it into my body. The surge of darkness flooded me, and I felt the energy coursing through me, filling every corner of my being.

In that moment, I could feel the power of the law extend outward, radiating in all directions. My control over the darkness spread, and I could feel it binding everything within a ten-meter radius. It was like a sovereign's domain, only it was different. I wasn't using mana. I was using something far deeper, something far more fundamental. This was the law of darkness itself, and it obeyed me without question.

The light in the room completely vanished. It was as if the very presence of light had been banished, leaving only the cold, suffocating darkness in its wake. But it wasn't a void. It was pure unfiltered power. As the darkness enveloped me, I could feel a strange energy pulse through the air, a faint hum, as though I had just touched something greater. I could feel the power of the fourth dimension, similar to the abilities I had gained with the eerie entity's help. The sensation was like a door opening within me, and I realized with a shudder of excitement that I could soon evolve in ways I had never imagined.

If this is true… I thought, my heart pounding with anticipation. If I can harness this power completely… I'll be unstoppable. I'll be able to reach heights I've only dreamed of. Nothing will stand in my way.

The exhilaration of growing stronger surged through me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt that rush—the undeniable feeling that I was growing into something greater than I had ever been before. And that, more than anything, ignited the fire within me.

I could feel it—the power of darkness, pulsing deep within me, beckoning me to grasp it. It was right there, waiting for me, and I knew that I was on the brink of fully understanding it. The essence of darkness, its true nature, was now clear to me. It wasn't just an element; it was a force, an undeniable law. And I was about to command it.

Excitement surged through me, and I couldn't help but let the words slip from my mind, my thoughts echoing with enthusiasm: I will grasp it! I will master it! This is my power, and nothing will stop me!

As if to affirm my determination, I felt something stir, like a guiding presence or a helping hand, pushing me further. The massive flow of knowledge rushed into my mind like a torrent. The intricacies of darkness, the laws that governed it, flooded my consciousness. I could feel my soul absorbing it rapidly.

The energy surged inside me, a force so great that it felt like I was expanding beyond the confines of my body. My darkness soul pulsed, and I felt it solidify into something tangible, something real. It formed a symbol—an ancient letter that spoke of darkness, a symbol that anchored this power to me. The feeling was overwhelming. My power sky-rocketed, growing beyond what I had imagined possible.

And then, instinctively, I wrapped myself in the darkness, cloaking my body in its energy. It was similar to the massive demon form the eerie entity had once helped me assume, but now it felt different, stronger and more refined. The darkness had become a part of me, like a second skin, a force I could control at will. I felt unstoppable, and yet there was still so much to learn.

I realized then that this eerie entity was capable of everything I could do, but a million times better. It felt as if it could glimpse into my future, as though it could see every step I would take. And that thought made me pause, filling me with a mix of curiosity and wariness. What would it teach me next? Where would this power take me?

Before I could ponder further, a knock on the door broke my concentration. It was sudden, unexpected. The intrusion snapped me back into the present, and I opened my eyes, lighting the candles in my room with a flicker of my flame.

"Come in," I said calmly, though I didn't know who it was. Nobody would visit me at night without reason. And when the door opened, I was greatly surprised by who stepped inside.

It was Jieun.

"Big sister Gaon, may I join you for a moment?" she asked, her voice soft but earnest. My heart skipped a beat. Why was she here? Was she unable to sleep? Did she have a nightmare? Even though she seemed mature beyond her years, she was still just a child—still vulnerable in ways I couldn't ignore.

"Of course," I said, my voice softer than usual. "Come, sit beside me. Are you alright?" The concern in my voice surprised even me. It felt strange, but at the same time, it was a warmth that I didn't mind feeling. I gestured to the spot next to me on the bed. She hesitated for a moment but then sat down, her eyes searching my face.

"Big sister Gaon," she began, her voice filled with an emotion I hadn't expected. "You've changed. You never cared about me like this before. But now…" She trailed off, her words filled with wonder. "You seem… happier. More at peace. It makes me happy too. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Did I change that much? I always felt like I was just being myself, but perhaps I had given off the wrong impression. Maybe I hadn't truly realized how distant I had been before. I had been consumed by my own pain, my rage, and the weight of my responsibilities. It had kept me from others, from truly connecting with them.

I shook my head slightly, forcing a smile. "Is that what worries you?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light, even as a knot of unease twisted in my chest.

"No," Jieun said, her eyes shining with determination. "I came here because I want to train with you. After seeing your power, I realized how far behind we are. We've been stuck, unable to grow. But I want to stand by your side, to fight with you. If the system doesn't let me catch up in power, then I want to reach the same level of soul strength you have. I know I can do it, with your help."

Her voice was full of sincerity, and when I looked into her pleading eyes, I couldn't say no. She wanted to grow, to be strong, not just for herself, but to stand by me—to fight alongside me. It was more than I could have asked for, more than I ever expected from someone so young.

I took a deep breath, letting the warmth of the moment fill me. "Come," I said, my voice steady and warm. "Sit beside me. I'll teach you what I know. Hopefully, it'll help you on your path. You don't have to walk it alone."

Jieun smiled, a bright, genuine smile, and I knew in that moment that this was the right decision. No matter how much power I gained, how much strength I built, it was moments like this that truly mattered—helping others, lifting them up, so they too could rise.