Chapter 56: The Wider World

The fire crackled softly in the cool night air. Ash sat cross-legged on the ground, his wolf curled beside him, its fur shimmering faintly in the firelight. Pyre stood nearby, staring into the flickering flames, his crimson eyes distant, as though lost in thought.

Ash had learned by now that when Pyre fell into these moments of silence, something profound was brewing in his mind. Tonight felt different, though. The air was heavier, charged with unspoken tension.

Finally, Pyre spoke. "You've been asking about the world."

Ash straightened, his curiosity piqued. "Yeah. You've told me pieces, but never the full picture."

Pyre turned, his expression unreadable. "Then listen closely. What I'm about to tell you is the truth of this world—or at least the part I've come to understand. It won't be easy to hear."

Ash nodded, leaning forward. "I'm ready."

Pyre took a deep breath and began. "Long ago—longer than anyone alive can remember—there was balance. Worlds existed in harmony, each thriving in its own way. But then, something changed. Something broke through the veil that separated these worlds."

Ash frowned. "The God of Despair?"

Pyre nodded. "Yes. It isn't a god in the way you'd think. It doesn't rule or create. It *consumes*. It's a force of destruction, a being of endless hunger and ambition. It doesn't conquer worlds—it *absorbs* them, merging them into its own domain. Entire civilizations, gone in an instant, their people turned into corrupted creatures bound to its will."

Ash shivered. "That sounds… unstoppable."

"It feels that way," Pyre admitted, his gaze hardening. "Once a world is taken, its skies turn crimson, and the God of Despair's influence spreads like a plague. Monsters emerge, creatures born of its essence. They corrupt everything they touch, fusing with the living to create horrors beyond imagination."

"But not all is lost," Pyre continued. "Some survive the corruption, emerging with powers that make them stronger than before. These individuals become *fusions*. And their abilities fall into four distinct categories."

He raised a hand, ticking off fingers as he spoke.

"First is **Body Enhancement**—the simplest and most common type. These fusions gain physical abilities beyond human limits. Super strength, speed, intelligence, durability… whatever their body needs to survive."

Ash tilted his head. "Like those brutes in the lab?"

Pyre nodded. "Exactly. They're adaptable, versatile, but ultimately limited. A Body Fusion might break through a wall, but against more complex powers, they often fall short."

He ticked off another finger. "Second is **Transformation.** These are the shapeshifters—the ones who can alter their bodies to suit their needs. Claws, wings, armor, full beast forms… they dominate the battlefield with sheer unpredictability."

Ash glanced at his wolf. "That sounds familiar."

"It should. Your wolf is a prime example, though it's evolving faster than most."

"Why's that?" Ash asked.

Pyre smirked faintly. "Patience. I'll get there."

He continued. "Third is **Element Manipulation.** These fusions control the forces of nature—fire, water, lightning, gravity, even light and darkness. Their power is unmatched in versatility and destruction, but it requires precision and control. One misstep, and they can destroy themselves as easily as their enemies."

"And the last?" Ash prompted.

Pyre's expression darkened. "**World Manipulation.**"

Ash leaned forward. "What's that?"

Pyre held his gaze. "It's the rarest of all powers. Those who wield it can bend the fabric of existence itself. There are six known aspects of World Manipulation, but I've only encountered three: space, time, and creation. The rest…" He trailed off, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

Pyre shifted slightly, leaning against a tree. "Now, here's where it gets interesting. Not all fusions are created equal. Their strength depends on their *fusion percentage*—how much of the God of Despair's essence they've absorbed."

Ash frowned. "And what's mine?"

Pyre smirked."Yours? You're barely scratching the surface. 0.001 percent. A drop in the ocean."

Ash scowled. "And you?"

Pyre didn't answer immediately. When he spoke, his tone was guarded. "Let's just say I've seen what happens at higher percentages. The more essence a fusion absorbs, the stronger they become. But the price is steep. With every percentage point, they lose more of themselves. Their will, their humanity… it all fades, replaced by the God's influence."

Ash clenched his fists. "So, if I get stronger, I'll end up like those monsters in the lab?"

"Not necessarily," Pyre said. "Your power is different. Unique. You don't just absorb essence—you *consume* it. You take it into yourself, making it a part of you. That's why your growth is exponential. But that power is a double-edged sword. Use it recklessly, and it will consume you instead."

Ash stared into the fire, his mind racing. "And the lab? What was it?"

Pyre's expression softened slightly. "A desperate attempt. After the God of Despair's first wave of destruction, the survivors tried to fight back. They captured fusions, experimented on them, tried to create their own monsters to match the God's. The lab you escaped from was one of many. But it failed, as they always do."

Ash looked up. "Why?"

"Because you can't fight the God of Despair with its own tools. It's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. The more you try to control its essence, the stronger its influence becomes."

Pyre gestured to the sky, his voice lowering. "This world isn't the only one. When the God of Despair came, the skies turned crimson, and the monsters followed. But other worlds faced the same fate. Some survived, teleporting their cities and empires to new lands, forming alliances with other species. But most… most were consumed entirely."

Ash felt a chill crawl down his spine. "So, what chance do we have?"

Pyre smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "We don't fight to win, Ash. We fight to survive."

Pyre stood, brushing off his coat. "This is the world you're stepping into. It's vast, dangerous, and filled with powers far beyond your understanding. If you're not ready, it will destroy you."

Ash rose, his wolf trotting beside him. "Then I'll get ready. I'll learn, I'll fight, and I'll survive. Just like you."

Pyre's gaze softened slightly. "Maybe you will. But remember, Ash—power without control is nothing but destruction. You have potential, but potential means nothing if it consumes you."

As they walked deeper into the forest, Ash couldn't shake the weight of Pyre's words. The world was bigger and darker than he'd ever imagined, but for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he wouldn't face it alone.