— How is the world doing these days?
Tenebrae's question was accompanied by a serious look.
Samael remained still for a moment.
Then, slowly, a smile appeared on his face.
"That means... he accepted."
— Currently, the Dream Realm has consumed the Divine Realms and continues advancing upon the Realm of War.
Samael spoke calmly, organizing everything he knew and was able to reveal.
— Humanity is still resisting fiercely while slowly advancing through the Dream Realm.
Tenebrae remained silent.
Samael continued:
— And there is currently something called the Nightmare Spell. Humans undergo Trials and can advance along the path of Ascension much more quickly.
He paused briefly.
— That's basically all I know.
The enormous crow remained motionless.
For a long while...
He said absolutely nothing.
Then, finally:
— The world has changed so much over the last few thousand years...
There was something different in his voice.
A hint of sadness.
Samael didn't respond.
Tenebrae turned his gaze toward the horizon.
— What happened no longer matters.
Then he began walking toward Rime's colossal tomb.
Samael followed him with his eyes.
After a few steps, Tenebrae finally began his explanation.
— To enchant objects using Shadow Shaping, you must first assign a True Name to them.
Samael immediately paid attention.
— That is the foundation of Shadow Shaping.
He paused briefly.
— To use Shadow Shaping, you need to possess an innate talent. This art was never meant for mortals.
Tenebrae glanced at Samael.
— But as a Nephilim, that is insignificant for you.
Samael sat down among the white flowers.
His attention was completely focused on the crow.
He didn't want to miss a single word.
"I doubt he'll repeat any of this for me."
Tenebrae continued:
— In Shadow Shaping, you must invoke the names of elements and concepts...
He raised one talon.
— Then combine them with the True Name of whatever you wish to invoke.
A brief pause.
— Once the sentence is formed correctly, its mystical effects manifest.
Samael slightly furrowed his brow.
— So it's like constructing a sentence that describes what I want to create?
Tenebrae turned his head.
— Not exactly.
His answer came immediately.
— You are not describing.
— You are defining.
Samael remained silent.
Tenebrae continued:
— The difference is important.
The crow stared at Rime's tomb.
— Shadow Shaping doesn't work because you wish for something to happen.
— It works because you know the names necessary to make it happen.
Samael absorbed every word.
"So the True Name is the key..."
Tenebrae turned his eyes toward him.
— And don't think that knowing something's True Name is enough.
— A poorly constructed sentence can produce a result completely different from what you intended.
Samael swallowed.
— So it's dangerous?
Tenebrae let out a sound resembling a sigh.
— Extremely.
He resumed walking.
— That's why I said Shadow Shaping was never meant for mortals.
Samael remained seated, watching him.
For the first time...
He was beginning to understand why Tenebrae treated this art with such seriousness.
And at that moment, Samael realized something.
He had finally found his new master.
America
Far away...
Among the forests of America, two groups advanced together.
Natives and government members.
Or, at least, they were trying to advance.
Because at that moment, every meter they conquered seemed to require a battle.
Up ahead...
Acheron was fighting two Corrupted Rank Nightmare Creatures.
And she was being pressured.
That was already the limit of her capabilities.
Her sword moved at an absurd speed.
Every strike opened new wounds across the enormous creatures.
But they continued advancing.
They resembled monstrous mammoths.
More than eight meters tall.
Six legs supported their enormous bodies.
And four massive tusks protruded from their mouths.
Even strengthened by Cyrene's Aspect...
Acheron was slowly being pushed backward.
— Tch!
Her sword struck again.
A deep wound appeared across one of the creatures.
But the other took advantage of the opening.
Acheron spun her body.
The tusk passed within a few centimeters of her face.
Behind her...
Cyrene constantly moved across the battlefield.
Her bow fired arrow after arrow.
Each shot found a different target.
She wasn't merely attacking.
She was simultaneously providing support on three fronts.
To the left...
Vanitas and Bel fought separately.
Neither needed the other's help.
Lightning tore through the forest around Vanitas.
Each bolt struck the Nightmare Creatures with devastating force.
On the other side...
Bel's vibrations traveled through the monsters' bodies.
Both were at the peak of the Awakened ranks.
And their strength made that obvious.
To the right...
Malenia fought another creature.
Her enormous sword carved violent arcs through the air.
Her body possessed physical capabilities far beyond those of ordinary humans.
Even so...
She was struggling to remain standing.
Without Cyrene's support...
She would probably have already been defeated.
Further back...
Liu moved like a ghost.
A white mist constantly swirled around her body.
Wherever she passed...
The temperature plummeted.
The ground began to freeze.
Arrows constantly flew through the forest, supporting her movements.
Liu advanced.
Retreated.
Changed direction.
And continued fighting.
All around her...
The battle became increasingly chaotic.
But there was someone who wasn't participating.
Enkidu.
He advanced farther behind them, carrying Samael's unconscious body.
His Aspect remained active.
While everyone else fought for survival...
Samael remained completely incapable of fighting.
And at that moment...
He was the one who needed to be protected the most.