It took three whole years for Damon to finally accept Aristo as his son. With his eyes closed, the only way Aristo could see was through detection, a technique that involves feeling the flows of energy around him. Now, a whole seven years had passed; the years flew by like dry leaves falling off tree branches.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VewdukJ3P
"Close your eyes, Phobos. Feel the energy flowing through your body. What do you see?" Damon asked, as Phobos stood close to Aristo at the center of the training ground.
"Hmmm, a white light," Phobos answered, his eyes widely open. Damon gently struck Phobos' head. "Again!" he said.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU8XSaoFNv
Ouch!
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq29HDNroJ3
As the wind blew, the curtains moved in different directions.
"Eyes closed, focus, feel the energy flowing around you. Every single thing has an energy. With enough concentration, you should have no problem seeing them clearly," Damon instructed, moving around Phobos and Aristo.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhgRK0klHP
"I can see you clearly, but I can't see most things far away," Phobos replied. Damon turned his head slightly.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJPwWcNi5r
"Tell me, what exactly can you see now ?" Damon asked out of curiosity. Meanwhile, Aristo was busy picking his nose.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgBongvV1I
"The little ants carrying a leaf close to the tree, the birds' nest above us – its eggs are hatching," Phobos replied. Damon was pleased with what Phobos could see.
"Aristo, what can you see?" Damon asked.
"I can see the marketplace, Mom, Lady Lisanna," Aristo replied
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObCIjQk7BF
"Your detection should be sharp; that's the only way you could perceive things around you. I bet you could see further than that," Phobos complimented Aristo.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwoInIyX5n
"More reason why you should work harder, Phobos. Expand your radius, see even further into the marketplace. All you're good for is sleep. Rest a bit; I'll be back shortly," Damon shouted,as he walked away.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV2yP413Rz
The sound of birds chirping filled the air as the wind blew silently for a while.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMTVR7hq5g
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQpzPmUwsm
DARIA CITY GATE
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXJyBuh2dD
Wagons rolled in and out of the city, while people bustled about, buying and selling goods. The gate stood wide open, and the center of Daria remained the hub of attraction. Arguments erupted in the distance.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKPjmF7lvT
"Next!" the gatekeepers called out, checking people entering and exiting Daria. Merchants arrived to showcase goods and provide services. A small wagon caught the guard's attention, carrying two girls and a man – all demi-humans.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUVNL2mRlK
"Hey, it's Zack! How are you doing? Haven't seen you in a while. Are these your daughters? They're gorgeous!" The guard on duty recognized the man driving the wagon.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE8OPiHREz
"I've been good these past weeks. Those wines seem to sell faster than sweets, thanks to God Tova. They're not my kids, though I wish they were. I'm just accompanying them to Daria, but they're here to stay," Zack replied, as they both laughed.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7zqm759O8
The guard handed Zack a document to fill out. The older girl swiftly collected the book from the guard.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f1LA4Nb54
"Hey, seems like she's in a bad mood. Don't want to get on her bad side," the guard laughed, as Zack chuckled along.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdMcQG4P8B
She quickly filled out the papers and handed them back to the guard. After a brief moment, he granted them safe passage.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVeH9Fxw6D
"Hesper, I know how you're feeling. It came as a shock to us all, but this is what your mother would have wanted. It's for the best, okay?" Zack tried to console her, lifting her spirits.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSiR0kJhhD
As they entered the city, demi-humans, humans, and various species moved about, filling the air with different aromas and sights. However, none of these things sparked Hesper's interest.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluoOCFWorX
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEqywLKRHq
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwmlfSoQHt
CENTER MARKET
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlAynkcjgm
"Hey, how much for those?" Cassandra asked, pointing to a mochi. She began drooling suddenly, unable to resist the aroma.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIQ0Trs7g4
"That would be one silver coin, young miss," the lady replied. "Hmm, you look familiar. Are you Damon's daughter by any chance?" The lady looked closer, noticing the resemblance. "You look quite like Damon." She handed Cassandra the mochi, refusing the silver coin. "Take it for free."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsxOt69crW
Cassandra bowed her head in respect. "Thank you."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSbXnyJQ8X
[The sounds of dogs barking, birds chirping, and people walking by filled the air.]
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFlCii6fPF
"Hey, watch my dress!" A wagon splashed dirty water all over Cassandra's dress. The rider apologized and offered to pay her, but she declined. However, her attention was caught by a strange person sitting on the wagon. As the wagon left, Cassandra kept staring, and the strange figure looked back at her.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QCtALHgah
"That was a lot of energy in one place," Cassandra thought, following the wagon carefully. It arrived at its destination, and two strange figures, including the driver, entered a bar shop. After a few minutes, the driver emerged alone.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YYZkNuE6J
(CARNAGE CRESCENT STREET)
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHpZNxA6pm
Cassandra waited on the roof opposite the bar. After some minutes, the strange person ran out, heading through a narrow alley. Cassandra followed, keeping tabs on the suspicious figure coated in black fabric.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7AuY0NJGP
In the alley, the strange figure encountered a group of men. "Hey, man, got any money on you?" one of them asked, reeking of drink.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8VkS8dRmj
"I spent it all on drinks. Just need a girl or two," another man laughed.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjfRbO186y
As they walked, one of the men dragged the strange figure's coat off, revealing a stunningly beautiful young girl with a unique appearance. She had two small horns protruding from her forehead, curved and smooth like polished ivory. Her radiant white hair fell in soft waves down her back. Her piercing green eyes shimmered like emeralds, with a sharp, intelligent glint.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVqoH5MZqD
[Awkward silence filled the air, accompanied by the sound of hot steam escaping from a chimney and whistling from a nearby shop.]
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6eMXnZYfH
"Wow, what a babe! Nice catch," one of the men said, staring at her disgustingly.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uibq0bce7
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun2IRF5hDu
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Nww6yuPE
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQDdQtkWmF
TRAINING GROUND
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJDKA8fKwZ
"Phobos, Aristo, new assignment: find your sister using detection," Damon said, returning after searching for Cassandra around the house without success.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsVQGcDqKG
"Seen her," they both replied in unison. "She's on a roof close to the marketplace, watching a girl. It looks like she's in some kind of trouble, though. And by the look of it, she's a demi-human."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQBUJCuzd7
"What's going on now?" Damon asked.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIWPOFuLhc
"She just cut off a man's hand with some kind of thread," Phobos replied.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0IT82K58X
"Like spider silk, filled with intense eno energy," Aristo added.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sp0f4KV40
[An awkward silence followed, broken only by the sound of a bee buzzing by Damon's face.]
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd0GHSx7cA
"Cassandra!" Damon shouted.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA5SpDhmHh
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVurQiu59wF
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI6DeUnxy2
Carnage Crescent Street
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK8bUFw3dF
"AGH!! BLOOD!!" The man screamed, clutching the stump where his arm had been moments ago. His friends didn't hesitate—they turned and ran, leaving him behind in sheer terror.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ8XnStB2C
She stepped over him, her boots making a soft tap against the blood-soaked pavement. She glanced down at his unconscious form, unimpressed. "Humans," she muttered, continuing forward without a second thought.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Y8LJ7AXh
From the rooftop above, Cassandra watched the scene unfold, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Whoa… that was insane. I barely saw her move!" she whispered to herself, preparing to leap down and confront the girl.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAregMQ1Vq
But before she could make a move—
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOtOlh379X
"What do you think you're doing, young lady?"
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGFPw058Td
Cassandra froze. That voice—deep, commanding. Her stomach dropped as she slowly turned around.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BRx2CsTLw
"D-Dad?!" she stammered, eyes wide in shock. She hadn't sensed him approaching. Not even a hint of his presence.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTutRnFu1t
Damon stood there, arms crossed, an eyebrow raised.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfCOiFOE35
"Uh… I was just, uh… looking for my mochi!" She hastily lifted a small rice cake in her hand. "See? Here it is!"
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jMkXgosNc
Looking for your mochi on the rooftop!! He shouted as he covered his face.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCGVMhetIo
Damon exhaled, clearly unconvinced. Without another word, he stepped forward and leapt down from the rooftop, Cassandra following hesitantly.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYo1fuZx1X
He extended a hand toward the unconscious man, and immediately, the blood pooling around him began to ripple. With a subtle motion, Damon manipulated the blood, guiding it back into the man's body. The severed arm lifted, reattaching itself seamlessly. Flesh knitted back together as if it had never been cut.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFeEMN8NZq
Cassandra watched in awe. "Whoa… that's so cool! I can't wait until I unlock Dio!" she exclaimed.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgt2rgWHh2
Damon gave her a pointed look. "We're done here. Time for training."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQHiyHoIIu
With a flick of his wrist, the two of them vanished.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7d7F0QRSS
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW1R4SRGXw
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.