Awakening of the Mind Sovereign
Chapter 73: Necrotic Energy

Chapter 73: Necrotic Energy

A low growl reverberated from the creature’s throat, like a deep rumble from the earth itself. Then, without warning, it lunged. The air shattered as its wings flared, sending gusts of wind that threatened to send Echo and the woman sprawling. The ground beneath their feet trembled as if the earth itself was quaking in fear.

Echo reacted instantly, raising his hand. His army of the dead surged forward in unison, phantasms and revenants appearing out of the very soil, their forms shifting and warping with the same energy that flowed through Echo. They charged at the creature with savage abandon, but the beast’s presence was overwhelming. The first wave of skeletons was torn apart in seconds, their bones disintegrating into nothingness under the creature’s might.

"Fall back!" Echo shouted to the woman, his voice strained with urgency. He knew they couldn’t win by throwing their forces at the creature recklessly. This wasn’t just a test of power—it was a test of strategy.

But as Echo summoned more of his undead, something changed. He felt a deep, bone-chilling pressure against his mind. The magic of the creature was pushing back against his own, something he had never experienced before. Every time he called upon his power, it was as if the energy itself resisted him, pulling away as though it were alive, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

"No!" he muttered, clenching his teeth. "I won’t let it slip."

Echo focused, diving deeper into the well of his power, pulling on that raw, untapped energy from the Rift that had once broken him. It had always been there—growing stronger each day, demanding more control. But now, it wasn’t just an asset. It was a beast of its own, clawing at his consciousness, begging for release. He could feel its gnawing hunger, its thirst for destruction.

With a scream, Echo unleashed a blast of necrotic energy, a wave of pure dark magic that surged through the air like a tide. It slammed into the creature, but instead of shattering it, the beast absorbed the energy, its veins glowing even brighter. The creature let out a deafening roar, its wings flapping violently, sending Echo’s undead flying back like ragdolls.

The woman didn’t wait for Echo’s command. With swift precision, she darted forward, using her agility to slip past the creature’s massive claws and strike at its underbelly. Her blades flickered, but even as they pierced the creature’s black skin, the damage was minimal. The wound healed almost instantly, and the creature howled, its fury mounting.

"You’re going to need more than that," Echo said, his voice calm despite the chaos.

The woman pulled back, her eyes narrowing. "This thing... it’s not of this world. It’s different."

Echo’s mind raced. "It’s a manifestation of the Rift’s power. It feeds on energy. That’s why it keeps absorbing our attacks."

A new thought flickered in his mind, something that made his blood run cold. What if the creature wasn’t just absorbing the energy? What if it was... evolving? Adapting? The more power they threw at it, the stronger it became. That meant this wasn’t a normal monster. This was a being of pure, unrestrained chaos—a force of nature, unleashed.

Echo’s breathing quickened. The power of the Rift had already done enough damage to him. If he wasn’t careful, he would lose himself to it, just as the creature had. The thought was terrifying. But in the face of such overwhelming power, he had little choice. If he didn’t push himself to the edge, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

The woman looked over at him, her expression a mixture of worry and determination. "Echo, don’t—"

But before she could finish, a surge of energy tore through the air. The ground beneath their feet cracked open, and a beam of dark light shot into the sky from the creature’s body. Echo’s eyes widened as the beam expanded, a strange vibration pulsing through the atmosphere, and the world seemed to distort.

"What is that?" Echo breathed, his voice full of awe and fear.

The beam shot toward the sky, rending the clouds apart as it collided with the heavens. The light was blinding, its intensity overpowering. Echo could feel the power of it seeping into his bones, overwhelming his senses. It was as if the creature was calling to something... or someone.

"No!" Echo shouted. "It’s trying to tear open the Rift!"

In that moment, everything clicked. The creature wasn’t just a manifestation of the Rift’s power—it was a harbinger, a key that sought to unleash the full force of the Rift into this world. The very fabric of reality was beginning to bend and crack under the pressure. If Echo didn’t stop it now, the entire world could collapse under the weight of the Rift’s energy.

With a primal roar, Echo tapped into the full depth of his power, his veins coursing with necrotic energy. The Rift’s magic surged through him, thrumming with life and death. But this time, he wasn’t fighting against it. He was using it.

"I won’t let you do this!" Echo screamed, his hands reaching out toward the creature. He was no longer just summoning the dead. He was becoming one with the Rift’s energy, channeling its chaotic force into a singular purpose. The ground beneath him cracked open as the power surged outward, crashing against the creature’s own energy.

The woman, watching in awe, rushed to his side. "Echo, you’re... you’re—"

"I’m not done yet," he growled. "This is only the beginning."

The energy from both sides collided with a deafening roar. For a brief moment, time seemed to stretch, as if the world itself was holding its breath. The creature’s form flickered, its dark energy faltering, while Echo’s own power surged forward like a tidal wave. It was an epic clash, a battle of wills, a test of endurance and mastery.

Then, with a crack that reverberated through the very earth, the creature let out one final, anguished scream.

And in an instant, it was gone.

Echo stood there, panting, sweat dripping from his brow. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked around, realizing that the battle had only just begun. The Rift’s power had been stilled, but at what cost?

His mind was still reeling from the explosion of energy, but something deep within him had shifted. The connection to the Rift was stronger now—more visceral. And with it, a new understanding.

He had survived, yes. But this was just the beginning. What lay ahead would test him in ways he couldn’t even begin to imagine. And the Rift, it seemed, wasn’t done with him yet.

The woman stepped forward, her voice tinged with caution. "Echo... what have you done?"

He looked at her, eyes filled with a new, terrifying determination.

"I’ve taken the first step," he said quietly, "toward becoming something... more."

As the ruins of the city stood in the aftermath, the shadows lengthened.

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