The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows that danced across the campsite. I leaned back against a fallen log, my stomach pleasantly full and my body warm from the meal. The makeshift wooden tray I'd used to serve our food lay discarded beside me. With a casual toss, I fed it to the flames, watching as the wood caught fire and the embers spiraled upward into the night sky.

  A soft purr drew my attention downward. The kitten was curled up beside me, a tiny ball of fluff with its paws tucked under its chin. Its rhythmic breathing blended with the whispers of the forest, and for a moment, I envied its ability to sleep so soundly.

  "Lucky little furball, Hmm I’ll brainstorm names for you and then in the morning can have a welcoming party" I muttered with a faint smile.

  Carefully, I scooped the kitten into my hands. I gently placed her onto the makeshift bed I'd prepared—a pile of soft leaves and spare cloth nestled under the shelter. The kitten stretched, paws reaching toward the sky, before snuggling deeper into the bedding.

  "Sleep tight," I whispered, brushing a stray leaf from its fur.

  Standing up, I grabbed the crude traps and alarms I'd rigged earlier. One by one, I set them up around the perimeter: twine tied to empty metal scraps I got in the name of loot from the goblins.

  All I hope they would rattle if disturbed, It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

  Satisfied, I returned to the shelter and settled down. The night's chill was creeping in, but the residual warmth from the fire and the soft purring of the little kitty provided a comforting contrast. I adjusted my cloak, pulling it over both of us.

  "Alright, let's see if we can get through one damn night without anything trying to kill us," I murmured, closing my eyes.

  Sleep claimed me faster than I expected.

  …

  Lick. Lick. Lick.

  A rough, sandpapery tongue dragged across my cheek, jolting me from the depths of sleep.

  "Ugh, what the—?" I grumbled, swatting aimlessly at the source.

  "Meow!" came the insistent reply, accompanied by a tiny paw batting at my nose.

  I cracked one eye open to find the kitten perched on my chest, its wide amber eyes staring at me expectantly.

  "Seriously?" I groaned. "I get the world's neediest alarm clock."

  The kitten let out another demanding meow and swatted my nose again for good measure.

  "Alright, alright, I'm up!" I sighed, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My back protested with a series of pops as I stretched.

  "Good morning to you too," I mumbled, scratching behind the kitten's ears. It purred loudly, climbing onto my shoulder as I stood.

  The morning air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of damp leaves and fresh dew. I shivered slightly, the cold seeping through my clothes.

  "Guess it's time for a wash," I muttered, making my way toward the river.

  The kitten hopped off my shoulder and trailed behind me, her tiny paws making barely a sound on the forest floor.

  At the riverbank, I hesitated. The water looked icy, the surface shimmering under the early light.

  "Well, no point in delaying," I said through gritted teeth. I stripped down, the cold air biting at my skin, and waded into the water.

  "Shit!" I gasped as the cold enveloped me. It was like plunging into a pool of needles, every inch of my body protesting.

  But as I submerged myself, the numbness set in, dulling the aches and pains from the previous days. I scrubbed quickly, not wanting to linger longer than necessary.

  After a few minutes, I stumbled back onto the bank, teeth chattering.

  "Man I wish I could get some hot springs…ahhh what bliss would that be" I muttered, shaking off excess water.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  The kitten padded over, nudging my leg with her head.

  "At least you don't care," I sighed, scratching its head. "C'mon, let's head back”

  "Time to shake off the rust," I said, rolling my shoulders.

  I began my morning routine, starting with basic stretches. Muscles protested at first but soon eased into the motions. I moved on to shadowboxing, each punch and kick slicing through the air with practiced precision.

  The kitten watched from a nearby rock, her eyes tracking my movements. Occasionally, she would mimic a swipe with her tiny paw, as if trying to join in.

  "You think you can keep up?" I chuckled, executing a spinning kick. "Maybe I'll teach you some moves."

  It responded with an unimpressed mrrp before turning its attention to grooming.

  "Figures," I snorted. "Everyone's a critic."

  After working up a light sweat, I settled down to prepare breakfast. Skewering another chunk of meat, I set it over the fire, the aroma quickly filling the campsite.

  "Smells good, doesn't it?" I said, glancing at the kitten.

  "Meow!" It was already circling me like a tiny shark, eyes wide and expectant.

  "Hold your horses," I laughed. "Good food takes time."

  Minutes later, I sliced off a portion and diced it into bite-sized pieces, setting them in front of the eager feline.

  "There you go, freeload—uh, esteemed companion," I corrected with a smirk.

  It dove in without hesitation, purring between bites.

  As we ate, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was... off. An itch at the back of my mind, like a forgotten memory tugging at the edges of my consciousness.

  "You know," I began, staring into the flames, "I think its time"

  The kitten paused mid-bite, looking up with a quizzical tilt of its head.

  "Don't give me that look," I chuckled. "Can't keep calling you 'furball' forever."

  “But before that you shall have a name little one” Kneeling beside her I continued, “ Welcome to family Lunala Drakesier…Luna or Lu for short, Welcome truly for entering my life”

  Meow was all I got as Lunala blinked, then resumed eating.

  Wahhh!...seriously if it was a doggo that one would be wagging its tail and be on cloud nine…and look at you…

  Sighing, I reached into my spatial ring and retrieved the other blood essence—the one I'd taken from the shaman. The orb hovered above my palm, pulsating softly with an eerie crimson light.

  The moment it appeared, a subtle vibration coursed through me, like a low hum resonating in my bones.

  "Okay since I already have the blood essence, why do my instincts tell me to absorb it" I whispered, eyes narrowing.

  The essence seemed... alive. Would I have duplicate essences or would it enhance my previous essence…haaa so many questions.

  "Well, curiosity killed the cat,... well not a cat since I got one" I mused, glancing at my dozing companion. "But satisfaction brought it back, right?"

  I contemplated the orb. Absorbing another blood essence was a gamble. I also have to investigate what the hell did absorbing the blood essence change also what are its powers.

  Hmmm, Got a basic idea when I used the blood staff…fuuu… I guess focus on what’s on hand first.

  "Only one way to find out what a duplicate essence does" I decided.

  I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Centering myself, I focused on the blood essence already coursing through my veins. It thrummed in response, a warm current flowing in sync with my heartbeat.

  Holding the orb steady, I began the absorption process. The essence liquefied, seeping into my skin like tendrils of smoke. A searing heat shot up my arm, spreading rapidly through my body.

  My vision blurred, the world around me dissolving into a haze of colors and shapes. Sounds faded, replaced by a roaring in my ears.

  Then, abruptly, everything went silent.

  huh?

  I found myself standing in a vast, empty space—a void stretching infinitely in all directions. The ground beneath me was smooth and reflective, like a mirror stretching into eternity.

  "Where am I, Now?" I muttered, turning in circles.

  Floating before me were two crystals. One glowed a deep crimson, pulsating with a familiar energy. The other shimmered softly in a greenish hue, its light gentle and soothing.

  I approached cautiously.

  "The blood essence," I whispered, reaching toward the red crystal.

  "And you..." I turned to the green crystal. "Mutation…"

  As I reached out, a soft meow echoed in the void.

  I spun around to see Luna sitting behind me, her form slightly translucent but unmistakably present.

  "Of course you'd be here," I chuckled. "Can't leave me alone for five minutes, can you?"

  It padded over, rubbing against my leg before gazing up at the crystals.

  "Are you real?" I asked, scratching her phantom ears.

  Luna stared at the green crystal, her tail swishing thoughtfully.

  "Weird"

  I returned my focus to the crystals. The red one felt aggressive, raw power waiting to be unleashed. The green one was the desire to change, to grow, to evolve, not to mutate.

  Closing my eyes, I reached out mentally, trying to connect with both essences simultaneously. The energies swirled around me, intertwining like threads weaving into a tapestry.

  A surge of clarity washed over me. The conflicting energies weren't meant to clash but to complement each other. Together, they formed a harmonious whole.

  "Well, I'll be damned," I breathed.

  The void began to fade, the crystals dissolving into streams of light that flowed into me. Sensation returned—sounds, smells, the rough texture of the ground beneath me.

  I opened my eyes to find myself back at the campsite. The fire had burned low, embers glowing softly. The kitten was curled up in my lap, purring contentedly.

  "That was... intense, and enlightening" I muttered, flexing my fingers. A newfound strength coursed through me, the energies settling into a comfortable rhythm.

  "Meow?" Luna blinked up at me, eyes reflecting the dying firelight.

  "Yeah, I'm alright," I assured her, scratching under her chin. "And how were you there?"

  I stood up, the kitten hopping gracefully to the ground. Stretching, I felt lighter, more... complete.

  "Yeah right…ignored" I mused.

  Luna stretched as well, arching her back before looking up at me expectantly.

  "Ready to head out?" I asked.

  "Meow!"

  "Alright then," I grinned. "Let's see what trouble we can get into today."

  HOUSE OF END DISCORD

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