The Shadow Dune Domain
After Yana absorbed the sixth memory shade, a torrent of information rushed into her being: mental knowledge, muscle memory for soul-affecting magics, and a deep, physiological understanding that swirled through her tissues, organs, and bones. The information centered on her Shadow Dune Domain: how to enter it independently, its maintenance rules, its different sustaining layers, and its full potential.
She leaned back and looked into the sky. "Why don’t I have a shadow domain lark?"
"At one point, you did. He died during a skirmish to take over your domain." Tasha paused, frowning. "Wait—your domain has already opened up to you?" She looked to Amber. "How many years did we travel before she obtained that domain?"
"More than I care to count."
Yana used Shadow Step, and they instantly arrived in the Orb Dimension. Orb was also a shadow dimension, but ethereal: sixteen large landmasses and hundreds of small islands floated at three distinct levels, with dramatic waterfalls plunging off the edges and into the abyss. She led everyone to a safe cave, sat down, and promptly entered her domain.
For the most part, the domain looked the same, but it felt completely different. She could now clearly see the different layers of the domain. When she looked to the sky, her stomach growled loudly. The thin wisps of shadow were making her hungry. She called one down; it politely landed in her hand and connected to her.
As the shadow wisp—a shade—connected, something deep inside her pulled, and she consumed it. She stood there for a second, noting the subtle change. She understood instantly: this was actual sustenance for her being. She called down three more, and as she consumed them, she sensed her abilities and magics gaining a profound, unexplainable depth. She also felt her connection with her familiars and pets change, becoming clearer.
She smiled. She would be able to get rid of this damnedable System soon.
She learned that shades were not shadows, but because shades and shadows had similar attributes, consuming one was beneficial to the other. The consumed entity was not destroyed (it is very hard to destroy a shade or a shadow) but integrated into the soul.
Yana looked into the dunes of the realm and could see what her intuition said was a shadow void space. She was not completely sure what this area could provide, which meant she was not strong enough for it yet. Finally, she saw the massive training area beneath the dunes.
She called all the shadows of the dunes and then manipulated them. They all went below the dunes to try out the practice area.
By the end of it, Yana was exhausted. She called forth thousands of Shadows, manipulated them into different forms, and set them to fight both her and each other in a chaotic, large-scale training simulation within the hidden arena beneath the dunes. This crazy work taught her an immense amount about her new Shadow Dune Domain.
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She frowned. Now all she needed was to befriend a shadow domain lark to maintain it for her. That was not going to be easy, but she knew of a breeding ground on Sho.
She sensed Starlight’s return, so she left the domain and returned to Orb. As soon as she did, her system flashed before her eyes.
[System Alert] Six Memory Shards Found and absorbed!
[System Alert] (Shadow Manipulate) has increased! (Shadow Manipulate) has increased! (Shadow Manipulate) has increased!
[System Alert] (Shadow Call) has increased! (Shadow Call) has increased! (Shadow Call) has increased!
[System Alert] (Shadow Control) has increased! (Shadow Control) has increased! (Shadow Control) has increased!
-- DO YOU WISH TO EVOLVE? Y/N --
She was slightly startled, then reflective. Did that mean the System could not reach her in the domain? That would have to wait.
'Did all go well, Starlight?'
'Of course, Mistress. Here are your rewards from the church.'
Yana turned to look, and a puppy—a small, dark creature—jumped into her arms.
YOU HAVE A NEW FAMILIAR
YOU HAVE A NEW FAMILIAR
YOU HAVE A NEW FAMILIAR
A new familiar. She looked down at the pup with a smile. Why would the Sparkling Light church reward her with such a creature? She also received a weapon made of shadow and a large bolt of soft fabric.
She called up the System.
SOUL SYSTEM
Name: Yana Pallindrone
Age: ????
Location: Lem Dimension
Soul Depth: Seer Soul
Rank: Shadow Novice
ABILITIES
Dimensional step: Adept
Shadow call: Adept +10
Shadow Walk: Adept
Shadow control: Adept +5
Shadow step: Adept
Shadow dispersal: Adept
Discernment: Adept
Seer: Adept
MAGICS
Shadow Light: level 1
Spell weave: level 2.5
Shadow manipulate: level 3
Shadow create: level 4
Fate: level 2.5
Illusion: level 3
Dimensional door: level 2.5
Pets: 3
Starguide
Name: Starlight
Abilities: Star Walk, Star Void Magic
Level: Advanced
Dimension Wraith
Name: Jasmine
Abilities: Wraith Walk
Level: Advanced
Shadow Spark
Name: Mag
Abilities: Shadow Attack, Shadow Embrace, Shadow Spice, Shadow Refill
Fire: Level 1
Level: Intermediate
Familiars: 5
Shadow cat
Name: Amber
Abilities: Shadow Step, Shadow Weave
Level: Adept
Dark Fae
Name: Tasha
Abilities: Shadow Dimension Walk, Void Step
Level: Advanced
Marked Demon
Name: Demon Dust (DD)
Abilities: Shadow Kill, Void Rip
Level: Intermediate
Shadow Doll
Name: Alisha
Abilities: Shape Shifter, Shadow Flame, Shadow Weave
Level: Intermediate
Shadow Demon Dog
Name: Heli
Abilities: Shadow Lash, Shadow Body Flame, Shadow Growl
Level: Novice
Missions:
Hidden Mission – 6 Memory Shades Found – Initial Award ready
Secret Mission – 14 Bounty Hunters Killed 8 Hearts shipped; Simms lives (No Timer)
Yana noted the massive increase in Shadow Call (now Adept +10) and the +5 jump to Shadow Control. She exhaled deeply, her expression intent. This was the moment of true breakthrough. She indicated 'Y' for the evolution.
INCREASING SOUL DEPTH…
INCREASING SOUL DEPTH…
INCREASING SOUL DEPTH…
INCREASING SOUL DEPTH…
EVOLVING SHADOW CALL...
EVOLVING SHADOW CALL...
EVOLVING SHADOW CALL...
EVOLVING SHADOW CALL...
Yana held her breath. Her first secret item was in sight.
