Shadow Slave novel Chapter 2985

2985 /3000

Cassie outstretched her hand, and a slender rapier appeared in it, glinting dangerously in the dim darkness of the vast hall.

It was the Quiet Dancer, manifested into reality by the power of her Aspect.

Feeling the familiar weight of her loyal rapier lying in her hand, Cassie inhaled deeply and pointed its tip at Asterion. Her dagger was pointed forward, as well, ready to deflect a blow.

"You say that I am a newborn Supreme, but my Domain is already deep and vast. It is as vast as the sea and as deep as the ocean; everything I remember becomes the source of my power, and I remember everything.”

It was true. Nephis ruled those who were inspired by her, while Sunny ruled those who were killed by him. Cassie's Domain, however, consisted of memories — every being she remembered made it stronger, and she remembered a lot.

Especially so because of the Aspect Legacy bestowed upon her by the Spell.

Granted, the memories of those who were far more powerful than she was were an exception to that rule. But even the memories of those whose Rank was lesser than hers were a legion — and so, Cassie's Domain was vast and powerful despite having been formed only seconds ago.

She cast her Will into the world and marked Asterion, finally becoming able to see the world... through his eyes.

Doing so before would have opened the gates of her mind and exposed it to his manipulation — more so than it was already being manipulated, at least. And that was still the case.

However, Cassie was a Supreme now, and her mental defenses were far more potent than they had been. Even if Asterion managed to erode them eventually, that was not going to happen in a short amount of time... and by the time it did, one of them would already be brought to their knees. She sensed his lips twisting into a smile.

“That might be so, but... have you forgotten that I can read your mind, Song of the Fallen?"

He shook his head.

"So I already know that your grandiloquence is nothing but a smoke screen. In fact, you are only talking to me to stall for time... because you know that you cannot defeat me. Isn't that right?"

Cassie remained motionless, silently pressing her lips together.

At the same time, her Will poured down the stone steps of the Ebony Tower and beyond, reaching toward the soldiers of the Hunger Domain and marking each of them, one after another.

Asterion laughed.

“Nothing to say? That is alright... there is no need to. I have already seen everything that is hidden in your mind. I have already heard everything you had to say... and found it wanting.”

He took a step forward.

“Let's see... at the moment, you are trying to embrace all of humanity with your powers — to erase the idea of me from their minds and destroy my Domain. To weaken me so that someone else could defeat me. But you need time to accomplish that, don't you? Which means that you need to survive for a while longer."

He shook her head.

"But how can you survive me, Song of the Fallen?"

Even though Cassie remained motionless, the tip of the Quiet Dancer trembled faintly.

Asterion studied her with interest.

“Your Domain is indeed a fascinating one. Your Supreme Ability is also quite something... however, nothing about it can augment your personal strength in combat. All you can do is borrow the strength of those you remember by summoning them into existence — but even that has its limits, does it not?"

Cassie's expression turned concerned. Asterion smiled.

"Trying to hide it? Come now, what's the use? You can't hide anything from me."

As he took another step forward, his smile turned cold.

"Ah, so these are the restrictions. Makes sense, really. Even if you remember beings of immense power, you can only manifest those of the same Rank as you... or those of a lesser Rank than yours. Even that power has its limits, though. At your current strength, you can only manifest... what, one Supreme being?"