Existence Is My Woven Tapestry

The mind shattering darkness that gazed back was now replaced with an endless canvas of oblivion whiteness that spanned for eternity. A space that existed not as a world nor a spatial pocket but out of his will. His figure appeared out of the blue, his eyes calm as he readied himself for what was to unfold.

*Snap*

Three shadowy figure emerged out of his shadow, two flanking his left and right and one right in front of him. This place was his playground for all kinds of tests and games. Along with the three shadows, figures of his likeness emerged out of thin air.

All of them his clones and without delay, a ln ear shattering boom echoed through the vast expanse. A clash of experiments going at it, his shadows taking part in the mix while he remained aloof with his two. This was a test where he would get to test all the elementals and choose those that fit him.

All kinds of sounds echoed all over the place, none of his echoes once talking, merely acting. Some lashing out with hybrid variants, others with exotic elements like gravity, echo, metal, plasma and a plethora of many more combinations.

A lack of concentration could get one killed, the arena shattered but repaired itself in microsecond while Jarren watched it all unfold like a judge. As if finally content with what he saw he came to a decision. Rather than exotic or hybrid, he chose to dabble in one element but with few experts in it.

The Shadow Element with a mix of Puppeteering. Shadow was more prevalent in stealth and decay and possibly illusions but he would wield it to his liking and the world would yield. Thus he restructured the three shadows around him, no longer hazy and indiscernible figures.

With another snap, all of his clones ceased to exist and converged into the shadow in front of him. It's body was no longer a darkness that devoured all light but a starry figure, it's eyes pitch white with two horns jutting upwards. It's jaw seemed broken, opening up like the insatiable void.

"Since my class is selected, I'll have to start forging those glyphs." Every single spell cast by a mage had a circle, be it on their feet or in their hands. Some artifacts concealed this but the problem he faced was that his shadow wasn't formed by mana but rather his will.

'Hmm... let's make it interesting.' Pondering what circle to make, he came to a conclusion. Dark circles formed that came off as gibberish by both the natives of the new world and the otherworlders. What it's actual contents spoke about, only he knew.

Letting a long sigh and a wave of his hand, reality folded in on itself and the canvas of the world cracked and crumpled like a piece of paper and ceased to exist. His will undoing spacetime and opening his eyes, he was back in Jarren's body in his room.

His body was levitating, suspended by an invisible force before setting foot. Exactly four days had passed for this body. Stretching his arms out of neccesity, he made his way down the halls and it wasn't long before he met his first test dummy.

"What do you mean that he required solace for four days?! Does he think that he's suddenly better than us?!" Serrant's haughty tone echoed through the air, his fiery red eyes locking onto Clomere's jaded. "It was his order and we can't defy it."

Clomere's shy voice echoed further agitating Serrant. "That's it I'm going to-" Jarren let out a small cough grabbing the attention of the two. It wasn't just Clomere but Serrant noticed that something had changed but couldn't quite pinpoint it.

"Oh there he is! Mr. Perfect just flipping is off out of the blue?! What is this?!" Serrant brought out Jarren's letter.

[{To Lords Serrant Grellion and Jovien Elbrant,

My dear companions in decadence, I trust this letter finds you bored, as always.

I write to inform you that our association, once ripe with indulgence and mediocrity, must come to its natural and graceful end.

You see, I have grown... tired.

Tired of empty laughter at jokes that limp through the air like dying birds. Tired of conversations where your only enemy is depth.

Tired of friends whose titles outweigh their character. The Jarren you knew has changed. I wish you both a future of wealth, idleness, and inherited pride. May it keep you warm.

Yours in polite detachment,

Jarren Velros}]

"Exactly what it says, my detachment from you as an ally. Now please leave or I'll be forced to kick you out." Never once had he raised his voice, something that felt off in comparison to the old Jarren who was loud and ignorant.

"Kick me out?! So all those years of friendship puffing up like smoke and for what?! Or did you hit your head or something at the brothel?!" Serrant went on, his voice filling the entire room.

"Maybe a spar, to show you how complacent and comfortable you've grown in your little pond Serrant." Serrant let out a scoff, barely holding his laugh.

"You?! Jarren Velros fight?! That's a good one! Wait, you're serious. I guess it's been a while since I've disfigured faces and with school coming up, you'll serve as a decent warm up."

The scene shifted to the training ground, the two facing each other and Clomere a mere spectator. It wasn't long before she was accompanied by some of the local staff. "What's going on?" One of them asked. "Jarren asked for a spar with Lord Serrant."

She stated calmly however she wasn't expecting a snicker followed by a cascade of laughs. "Wait! Jarren is going to fight?! I've never seen the bastard train once, just wasting his body with booze and chasing skirts." Clomere grew tense.

"Let's get this over with!" Cracking his knuckles, Serrant showed his pearly whites letting a cruel smile flash. As for Jarren, he remained rooted in place with his hands pocketed as his shadow stretched from the cobblestone and forming into a humanoid figure.

It's looks scary however Serrant alongside the staff were puzzled seeing it. It's horns, jagged maw of a mouth and starry physique resembling the night sky was a sight to behold. "What is that circle around his feet, I've never seen such a circle?!" One of the staff commented.

Serrant ignored it as he roared to life, his circle at his feet growing bigger. With each step left sizzling imprints onto the cobblestone, his eyes filled with hubris. "I'll make it quick, Jarren Velros." With a sharp grunt, a cloud of ash lunged at Jarren who remained calm.

Within it were light traces of magma, not lethal but a problem no doubt however his shadow in front of his figure shielded him as he absorbed all the ash and magma without falter. And in an instant the arena was clean of any dust or smoke. "What the-"

Before Serrant could process what had happened, a hard punch connected with his jaw sending him sprawling onto the floor. With a dispassionate spit, two of his teeth along with blood came out. "I- You're definitely going to pay for-" However before he could finish his statement, a harsh kick connected with his ribs.

Not hard enough to shatter his bones but painful enough to make him ponder about his choices. After all it was the first time that he had experienced pain to such a degree. His life usually filled with luxury and caution, this was new to him.

"What? You've got to speak up." Jarren taunted, never once lifting his hands as he watched Serrant's figure ragdolling all over the place. In an instant the shadow appeared in front of him like a loyal sentry awaiting orders.

"You- you!!" Serrant was cut with a spasm of pain coursing through his body. His groans echoing through the silent arena. "You're a puppeteer?! A necromancer!!" His finger pointing at Jarren's figure who wore his smile like a mask, never malicious only functional but now felt completely wrong.

"Necromancer?! Please I knew you'd be so ignorant but not to this extent. This is a primordial element, Shadow." His shadow puppet melted back into the second plane. "Shadow?! But isn't his family known for the Flaming Crescent Moon?!" It wasn't just Serrant who was perplexed hearing that Jarren dabbled in the shadow element.

"Clomere, prepare my bath." And just like that Jarren took his leave. Clomere who was still absorbed in the moment snapped back. "Ah, oh! Yes my Lord." And just like that she scurried off to execute his order. Serrant let out a cry of rage but he knew that he had no further business there. It was clear, Jarren truly didn't want any form of affiliations with them.

Jovien who heard the news barely flinched as he was lost in his drunken stupor while Serrant saw it as arrogance from Jarren. He had concluded that he had a reason but never expected Jarren to be so powerful.

'Does he really think that he's invincible? It was only because of range that he got the upper hand!' He murmured to himself, licking his wounds on the way out.

***

Jarren leaned at the doorway, his eyes boring deep onto Clomere's figure and she felt his gaze, sharp yet careful. They weren't hungry but curious. "Your bath, my Lord." Her tone low as she tried to make her way past Jarren who blocked the door.

To her surprise, he locked the door and in one swift motion, he gently guided her figure to a mirror. His hands didn't wander, merely resting on her waist. Looking at her reflection before looking at his.

"What do you see?" He asked, his tone calm as ever. She didn't answer at first, her face blooming with color as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Ah, my Lord. A well bred, handsome stud." Her tone fervent as she fidgeted her hands. He broke them apart, his left holding hers while his right held her chin, forcing her to look at the mirror.

"A stud? Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder." A chuckle rumbled through his chest as he went on. "However in this instance you're wrong. I don't see a stud or a noble's offspring at the slightest but a blight in flesh." His voice turning into whispers that made her shiver.

"I'd still serve you, my Lord." His right hand inched upwards, to her crimson lips before forcing them open. The light prick of her teeth never once bothering him. "Are you sure of what you say Clomere, after all who knows what's to come." Standing her ground, she went on. "I'm absolutely sure, I'd serve you to my death."

His thumb ventured deeper inside her mouth, her body flaring as her cheeks flushed. "Isn't that quite the commitment you have? But are you sure of what you're saying." This time his face altered, his flesh and viscera gone and replaced with a starry horror that froze her body, his milky smile wrong.

Every inch of her body stood upwards, her mind in turmoil with what she saw. It was akin of falling into madness and yet she couldn't look away. "I..." Her voice faltered as her eyes were now filled with stars and visions that shouldn't be. "I'm certain."