Lightning Is the Only Way

It took four full hours until Gravis was able to teach Skye about its current situation. Thinking and planning far into the future was something incredibly difficult for beasts, yet Skye managed to understand. It might actually be the only beast that knew about such concepts in this lower world.

After Gravis finished explaining, he just looked at Skye with sad eyes. After understanding its situation, Skye looked back at Gravis, unsure what to think. After some seconds, it just rubbed its head on Gravis.

Gravis scratched Skye with a bitter smile. "I know that it's difficult to accept, but I know that you want to become strong," he said. "I know that you wouldn't be happy like this. Don't think about me, but about yourself."

Skye didn't react much. Gravis and Skye had been together for multiple months by now, and it understood Gravis' emotions. It might not have the mental faculties to plan far into the future, but beasts were good at feeling the emotions of others.

It knew how lonely Gravis was. It always felt happy when Gravis smiled at it with a pure, innocent smile, and it was the only living being in this lower world that knew this side of Gravis. It understood that it couldn't rise to power while following Gravis, but it didn't want Gravis to feel lonely.

Beasts were simple. When they saw one of their companions being sad, they tried their best to comfort them. Skye was no different. It wanted to comfort and help Gravis through those tough times.

Gravis gently pushed Skye's head away. "I know that you want to stay and that you don't want me to feel lonely, but is it worth it to sacrifice your future? You will forever regret it, and if I die, you will die too. I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for me," Gravis explained calmly.

was no other way. He didn't want Skye

well enough to know how he felt. Its instincts were telling it to help him, so it went closer to

Woosh!

with me, you won't be able to truly be happy. You must leave!" Gravis' voice was a little shaky when he said that, but he had to

at Gravis with sad eyes. It understood the implications of staying with Gravis, but it just couldn't resist when it saw how hurt Gravis was. It felt the conflict and frustration inside Gravis. Gravis was its companion and best

BANG!

in front of Skye. It got frightened a little and took a step back. This lightning bolt was powerful enough to injure it severely. It looked at Gravis with shock and pain. Why was Gravis doing this? Wasn't this its own

Gravis shouted aggressively. "I won't allow you to

deep unwillingness inside, and it didn't want to

WHOOM!

life. In the past, it had only passively been inside Gravis' Will-Aura, but now, Gravis' Will-Aura looked at Skye like an enemy. In Skye's mind, a deathly iciness spread from Gravis into the surroundings. Its instincts were screaming at Skye to flee. Its instincts told it that it had to leave or it would die. Skye felt betrayed. Its closest companion was showing killing

the ninth level of Energy Gathering, Gravis' Will-Aura had destroyed any level suppression. If Gravis released it

wanted Skye to leave by itself. He wanted it to realize how serious the situation was. It would feel regret for the

sadness, unwillingness, betrayal, and even some pity. Even though Gravis tried to appear as heartless and aggressive as possible, he couldn't fool Skye. It knew him too well. It didn't leave and only implored Gravis to