Transformation

DK felt a sudden, overwhelming heat surge through his chest, a sensation so intense it tore a scream from his throat. His body convulsed violently, his vision erupting in flashes of blinding light and searing darkness. Every nerve felt as if it were being lit aflame, his muscles tearing and rebuilding themselves in an endless cycle. It was as if the very core of his being was being ripped apart and stitched back together in real-time.

With the changing nature of DK's physical body, the dungeon also responded and adapted so as to protect itself and also increased its mana density in the atmosphere. The guardian roared, sensing an opportunity to crush him. However, just as it was about to launch a huge punch to DK, Garin's warhammer met the creature's strike with huge force. Despite being at a higher level than the dungeon, Garin lost his footing from the low and coughed up blood. 

The clash of Garin's warhammer against the guardian's massive limb sent shockwaves through the chamber, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap. The mercenary stumbled back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "This thing's tapping directly into the dungeon's core," he growled, steadying himself. "It's not just fighting—it's evolving."

Lucy's staff flared with brilliant energy as she stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "Garin, fall back! Whatever's happening to DK, it's not normal. We need to hold the line until it's over."

Garin retreated to her side, his eyes flicking nervously to DK, who stood at the epicenter of the chaos. The air around him shimmered and cracked with raw energy, his convulsing body glowing faintly with a golden hue as if channeling the dungeon's mana. This was nothing like the standard awakening they had seen before.

Typically, when someone awakened their nexus core, it was a structured process—a gradual build-up of mana, often guided by ritual or focused meditation. The body would pulse with light as pathways connected in a steady rhythm, with bursts of energy lasting only a few moments before stabilizing. But DK's transformation was violent, chaotic. His entire body seemed to be tearing apart and reforging itself simultaneously. The energy radiating from him wasn't just intense—it was overwhelming, almost alive.

The guardian roared again, sensing the sudden flux of power. It lunged at DK with a ferocity that was almost desperate. Garin didn't hesitate, meeting the creature's attack with a thunderous blow from his warhammer. But even with his strength, Garin was thrown backward, crashing into the chamber wall. He coughed, blood staining his lips. "This thing's getting stronger! It's reacting to him!"

Lucy's gaze remained fixed on DK, her expression caught between awe and terror. His glow intensified, his form barely visible within the blinding light. "No awakening has ever looked like this," she murmured. "It's as if… he is stealing the mana from the dungeon and fueling himself."

DK's screams cut through the chamber, guttural and raw, as his body convulsed under the strain. The dungeon seemed to respond, its mana density spiking to near-lethal levels. The oppressive atmosphere made it nearly impossible for Garin and Lucy to breathe, their movements sluggish under the weight of the ambient energy. Tendrils of glowing mana erupted from the guardian, lashing out in all directions as it tried to crush DK before his transformation could complete.

Lucy slammed her staff into the ground, creating a shimmering barrier around herself and Garin. The tendrils struck the barrier relentlessly, cracks forming across its surface. "I don't know how much longer I can hold this," she shouted, sweat dripping from her brow. "DK, whatever this is, finish it before we're all crushed!"

Then, the transformation reached its crescendo. DK's body convulsed violently as the column of light twisted and contorted into something darker, more sinister. The golden hue drained away, replaced by a shadowy, inky blackness that seemed to swallow the light around it. The chamber was plunged into an oppressive gloom, the only illumination coming from the faint, sickly glow emanating from the cracks in DK's skin. His screams returned, guttural and primal, reverberating through the chamber like the wails of the damned.

The air grew cold, the dungeon trembling as if it feared what was happening. The oppressive mana density didn't just collapse—it coalesced around DK, the energy warping and spiraling into him in jagged, chaotic streams. The vortex wasn't clean or orderly; it was violent, shredding the very fabric of the dungeon's existence. Dark veins of energy crawled up DK's arms and neck, pulsating with a rhythm that felt more like a heartbeat on the brink of stopping.

The guardian paused mid-lunge, its glowing veins flickering uncertainly. It roared again, but there was no conviction in the sound. It knew—it felt—that something unnatural was taking place. For the first time, the towering monstrosity hesitated.

"Lucy… what the hell is happening?" Garin's voice was barely above a whisper, his hands trembling as they gripped his warhammer.

Lucy didn't answer immediately. Her face was pale, her eyes wide as she watched DK's transformation with equal parts awe and horror. "This… this isn't right," she finally said, her voice shaking. "This isn't an awakening. It's something else… something wrong."

DK's screams gave way to a low, guttural growl as he slowly stood upright, his movements jerky, almost puppet-like. His eyes snapped open, no longer glowing gold but instead a void-like black, swirling with faint crimson streaks. The Darkmoon Blade in his hand had transformed, its sleek design warped into something jagged and cruel, the edges serrated and dripping with an ominous dark mist.

The guardian roared once more, attempting to reclaim its dominance, and charged at DK. But this time, DK didn't dodge. He stood his ground, raising the corrupted blade. When the guardian's massive arm came crashing down, DK caught it mid-swing with his free hand. A sickening crack echoed through the chamber as he twisted, shattering the limb as though it were brittle wood.

The guardian stumbled back, its remaining tendrils lashing out in a frantic attempt to protect itself. But DK moved faster than before, almost a blur of shadow and malice. Each strike of his blade severed limbs, tendrils, and glowing veins with terrifying precision. The creature roared in agony, its massive form collapsing piece by piece under the relentless assault.

"Lucy, we have to stop him!" Garin yelled, his voice tinged with desperation. "He's going to destroy the entire dungeon—and himself!"