Shadow Slave

In the form of the radiant spirit, Nephis was much more powerful than her human incarnation. Her speed and might increased vastly, and her fire powers grew much more potent... especially when the beautiful vessel of light was augmented seven times over by her Aspect.

Not only that, but mundane attacks could not hurt her at all - most weapons would simply turn to ash before reaching her, and those that did break through the immolating heat would find no flesh to harm behind it.

Only fire.

So, what hurt her the most was her Flaw, the [Pristine Soul]... and in that form, the danger it posed was much more dire than the suffering she experienced when using her lesser Abilities. The incandescent white void of her soul was so pure and searing that it threatened to consume her, burning away her very self. Perhaps forever.

At least that was what Nephis feared. She rarely used the power of her Aspect in combat, relying on nothing but her martial prowess if there was a choice, and she used her Transformation Ability even less frequently.

Of course, she was not invulnerable even in that brilliant form. There were many beings and weapons there that could harm this fiery vessel of hers, but the damage they dealt would be instantly healed at the cost of her essence. The form of the spirit of light was a manifestation of her Incandescent soul, and so, one would have to extinguish her soul completely to destroy it.

Which was not Impossible, especially when facing enemies of higher Ranks.

The ancient stone wraiths she was fighting were among such enemies.

[You have slain a Great Beast, Asura of Condemnation.]

[Your soul shines brighter].

[You have slain a Great Beast, Asura of Condemnation.]

[Your soul shines brighter.]

[You have slain a Great Beast...]

Creatures in quick succession, but after that, the situation worsened. The abominable

these, the distinction between flesh and flame was of no importance. The strange diamond

from a single blow, but the damage would be considerable. Even for a Great Beast, destroying a Transcendent Titan

the thunderous attacks of the menacing golems, biding

had not

seventh second after his departure, the shadow demon shot out of the darkness on the border of the burning clearing, his great odachi plummeting onto one

of them

and the Lord of Shadows glanced at each other briefly, her radiant, graceful silhouette contrasted starkly

they exploded with

'I wonder...'

heat. The stone armor of the ancient golems withstood it easily, but what about the Lord of Shadows? Very few people

she didn't

held. That fearsome armor, it seemed... was of a better quality than her own, or at least possessed

not seem to have any trouble plunging into the middle of the burning clearing, seemingly unperturbed by the blinding light, scorching heat, and

ferocious, and sharp as they

‘That's a relief, then.'

Her spirits were uplifted.

the

fight the abominations with bare hands. She was swift and much smaller than the towering golems, her technique fluid and flawless. The diamond weapons flashed past, never managing to touch her radiant

attack as brazenly as before, either. Using her sublime grasp of the essence of combat, she delivered a constant stream

easier target. Not only was his dark body broad and towering, but he was also slower than her, his terrifying odachi demanding a

the attacks of the asuras managed to

also... strange. Sometimes, his movements did not seem too swift - compared to her, at least - but at other times, it was as if he was so fast as to leave afterimages behind

that... it was as if the Lord of

few moments to understand what