The air froze within the silence between the two of them. As this woman was in slight confusion of what she was dealing with right now.
"Kayn is your name, right?"
She was feeling reluctant at first; this stranger appearing in the middle of a forbidden forest was just beyond suspicious.
On the other hand, Kayn was thinking about something. Looking at her bewildered expression made him wonder just a little more about this world.
"Yeah, I'm Kayn. Now that I've introduced myself, it's your turn to give me yours."
He didn't think twice of asking this mysterious woman her name, the sun above them beginning to set off into the horizon.
She was caught off-guard for a moment, not expecting for him to simply ask her like that.
But with the amount of information she doesn't know about him, I guess she has no choice but to introduce herself.
"Ahem. I am Ruby Intricia. Scion of Shadows. The shadow behind you is me."
Ruby Intricia... a unique name that surprised Kayn.
But what was more catchy was what else she uttered before him.
The way she spoke almost sounded like she was giving a warning, yet also formal.
Scion of Shadows? That phrase clicked into his mind like a puzzle piece.
If all of his speculations that this world was of magic or sorts, then this must be its system.
There's no doubt about it. In the way she presented herself, her gesture of movement, and how she appeared right in front of him, she's the real deal.
On the other side, Ruby just noticed something. Why didn't Kayn introduce himself the way she did? Is he that clueless? Or does he mean disrespect?
"Hey. You didn't mention your Dominion or any catchphrase. Do you really think that lowly of me? You dare..."
Woah. She's starting to get triggered. Dominion? So that Scion of Shadows is her Dominion?
And then this catchphrase, should simply mean that phrase at the end of her introduction.
There are so many things that are beginning to reveal themselves. And Kayn is just barely catching up.
For now, let's resolve this misunderstanding.
"No, no. I didn't mean it like that! I'm just... unsure what to call mine?"
He had no idea what to say. But as how things are right now, he needs to hide the fact that he comes from another world.
Ruby eyed him, looking even more suspicious of his unknown presence.
He's unsure of what to call his Dominion?
"So, you're saying you have no idea what to call your Dominion, and yet you're standing here in one of the most restricted areas in the world?"
That almost hit like an insult. Kayn was still trying to process why he was reincarnated in this specific place himself.
"How did you even get here?"
That's what he wants to know too! But he can't possibly have his cover blown, not right now.
He needs to steer off the topic of himself right now. Maybe...
"W-what are Dominions?"
Kayn was able to ask in a rush, hoping it wasn't too late.
Meanwhile, Ruby was annoyed. Hearing him ask such a question felt almost demeaning. But she was also wary, because right now, they were the only two people in this entire forest.
Even though she wanted to strangle him right then and there, she controlled herself, letting her Dominion solidify their surroundings.
"So, you want an introduction into Dominions? Fine. But you better listen carefully."
She said, looking away in a small huff.
Saved! Kayn was relieved that he was able to get out of that one. But now he's stuck in another problem.
The sound of the wind was deafened a little. The light of the sun barely grazed over the horizon. As the shadows around them began to warp closer and closer.
Right there, he could barely see more than a few meters into the distance, before what looked like the forest darkening into the abyss.
So this is a Dominion? Kayn was beyond intrigued by it, his sight of the place being reduced all the way... to Ruby.
She was visibly straining herself, but it was more than likely that this was routine for her as she sat down on the grass.
"Well then? Sit down."
Kayn gazed over Ruby, hesitating for a moment before reluctantly trusting her and sitting down.
He was relieved, yes. But now he was beginning to feel distrust towards her. It wasn't anything too surprising because he had been wandering through this forest for as long as could be.
And then, mysteriously meeting someone like her. He couldn't help but feel that same feeling he had when he first trusted people back in his previous world.
Getting reminded of that, he straightened himself. Knowing that letting his guard down now would disappoint his beliefs.
If this woman tries anything, who knows what Kayn will do?
"You see this? This place? The surroundings that encompass you? You are within my Dominion."
Ruby explained as the both of them sat down right there. Looking at each other.
"My Dominion enables me to control, manipulate the shadows around me. Even as far as to redirect light itself to change someone's view of something."
Ruby looked into Kayn's eyes, wondering if he was still listening intently.
"But it doesn't work like that for everyone."
Doesn't work like that for everyone? Kayn was confused right there, because he assumed that since this world probably functions all around the concept of Dominions, they'd have similar standpoints and powers.
"So.. it's different from person to person?"
Kayn asked. The thought was at the back of his mind.
"Precisely. I thought you didn't know?"
Ruby teased for a split-second before looking away promptly.
"That's right. Dominions differ from one another, and over centuries, we've only yet to conclude all of its possible types and effects."
It was beginning to get interesting. Kayn was listening in carefully about the magic system of this world, hoping to see what it really meant.
"Some like mine, alter what we see physically. That could also mean there are those who can manipulate other characteristics of the world and its surroundings."
Despite how she looked, even Ruby wasn't entirely knowledgeable about what these Dominions had to offer.
"But what I can say for sure is that Dominions are tied to the person themselves and how they use it. Their belief in it. Their goal for it. And their purpose."
She was starting to get a bit emotional as they were getting closer to how these Dominions worked and functioned.
"For me, my Dominion symbolizes darkness. This darkness shows my belief that things would darken in this world. And I wanted to hide away from it..."
Before she knew it, her composure spilled over a little. Gathering herself for a moment.
"And that means one's Dominion is directly incorporated into them."
For a moment, Kayn felt her real honesty in her words, and he knew she wasn't kidding.
"For one's power over their Dominion? It takes practice, understanding, and reflection over your own Dominion for you to truly enhance it towards perfection."
She says, almost like she also went through these hardships to get to where she is right now. A hint of fatigue in her sights.
Kayn was mesmerized by the mere idea of these Dominions, its impact, and its possibilities.
"That sounds like a lot. But can I assume there's more to it than that?"
Kayn knew, based off of her expression, that there was more to unravel over this world.
"Yeah, there is. I know a person who can tell you more about it."
She said, slowly relaxing herself before she took a breath.
"So, do you have an idea of what your Dominion is, Kayn?"