Ashia felt the surge of power. That power could not be felt by others. But Ashia felt it when the creatures above and below her trembled. She did not think much when she vaulted out of her boat, used her power to glide through the ocean, avoiding the creature, and staying out sight from the ferry.

She saw a boat moored not far from the island she felt the power from, the boat had a person guarding so she chooses to create a bubble, dive under the sea, and use another route to reach the beach. Upon arriving at the beach, she felt horrible power coming from the ground. Black and flesh-like spikes that turned into flowers stabbed on the goblins, and then she found the scenery like a dreadful garden for the souls.

“What is this?” She thought to herself. “This amount of power has a sense of dread. This is even beyond what he defeated! Another devil this early?”

She drew a sword of light that manifested in the air. She took the sword of light and went to the source, hiding her powers, she drew close and saw a man standing not far from her position. He was a tall man with gray hair, a well-built body, and long limbs.

The man turned his head to her location, his red eyes pointed at her. Ashia’s soul shook for a second, and it wasn’t for the blessings she had received, she would have been paralyzed. The man blinked, his eyes went empty gray, and he took a step to her.

“Forgive me, I was on guard.”

“What are you?”

“Hybrid.”

“What?”

“A human with other flesh, is that better?”

Aisha didn’t let her guard down. “Was that your doing?”

“It was. You were drawn into it?”

“I felt a sense of dread. What are you doing here?”

“Cleaning up some goblins.”

“Is that so?’ Aisha checked the surroundings. “This is one of the islands raised by the Titan called Von. You cleaned it up?”

“I was requested to do so, Miss?”

“Aisha.”

“Nolan.”

Aisha nodded. “Mister Nolan, is that power yours?”

“Sadly, it is. You said it had a sense of dread in it, but I assure you that I’m just a soldier, nothing more, nothing less.”

“A soldier could not possibly have this power.”

“There are exceptions.”

“You?”

“Maybe?” Nolan said. Aisha did not respond. She looked at this person whose powers were simply bleak. She had not heard of a powerful person on this island, but considering how bare do they know of the Elephantine Sea’s only island. It was not that improbable for someone like this to exist. But to have this kind of dread that might even surpass that of the one they defeated years ago.

Aisha clenched her sword of light. “Mister Nolan, can you let me detain you?”

“For what purpose?” His expression did not change.

“That power of yours, I don’t know if you know this, but that is a dangerous power you hold there.”

“I know. This does not belong to me. It belongs to someone who deserves it more than I do.”

“Then can you hand that over? This is important. We must destroy this power before it consumes you.”

Nolan eyed her. “I don’t get it. Why are you so concern about this? “

“It is important that you must not take hold of this power any longer. You can control this so I am sure that you know how dangerous it is.”

“I know, but the problem is that this power is part of my soul. This is the same as offering a part of my soul, you intend to slice a part of me. Forgive me, but what you are asking is impossible, even if I do want to hand this power.”

“I see,” Ashia peered. She saw remnants of powers inside of him that seems to have been mixed. To take it was the same as crippling him and it was buried deep into his soul. No, was he born with this power? But he said it so that it belonged to someone. No, she could not compromise on this, this was a dangerous power that had corrupted even that person. There was too much evidence and only through the elemental light that he was freed from said corruption.

“Please, I will make sure that I will aid compensate with my own.”

“You are even willing to cut your life for it,” he touched his chin. “I admire you, but no need. I don’t fight any longer.”

Aisha did not move. The sword of light manifested to the point that even the light from the area dimmed. There was a thin dome of light that started to glow. “That power is too dangerous to be left alone. Forgive me, but since you listen to reason, I shall now do my duty.”

“I understand,” Nolan said. “But I will defend myself.”

Aisha brought for chains of light. The sword of her light was thrusted to his chest. Nolan drew the great sword that he carried which was covered with something black. It was fleshy and was strong enough to block her thrust.

Aisha pulled her sword back, directed the chains of light to bind him. However, the chain merely passed by his body. He skidded on the ground and pulled his palm in a twisting motion, before planting it on her stomach. She slashed around his neck, only for the sword to pass through again. Obsidian flesh started growing on the place where his palm landed, Aisha sang a song, and blinked out of the trap, the obsidian flesh falling on the ground.

“That’s quite a grin.”

Aisha didn’t know what face she was making.

“Forgive me,” she said. “I just want to protect this little peace that my students created. Oh, this is no malice.”

“Students,” Nolan said. “I understand. But sometimes the face says it all.”

Aisha did not know what her face was at that moment. She did not even bother to care as she cemented the goal she had at this single moment.

There was someone who could use the corrupted power that turned this world dark once.

It was now her duty to rid it here.