(Opening Scene: Kurozane stands, the lingering thrum of the mental connection with Eclipse a strange but welcome sensation. Astrid watches him with concern, Zephyr perched warily on her arm.)
A sense of quiet elation bloomed within Kurozane. The headache had been startling, but the discovery of this mental link with Eclipse felt like a significant step forward. He was no longer alone in his understanding of their bond. He had a direct line of communication with his mysterious companion.
He offered Astrid a reassuring nod, though he couldn't explain the true nature of what had just occurred. "I'm alright," he said, his voice still a bit rough. "Just a sudden… dizziness."
Astrid's stormy eyes remained skeptical. "Dizziness that makes you cry out and fall? That seemed more severe." She studied him intently, sensing that he wasn't telling her everything.
Despite her scrutiny, Kurozane was eager to continue towards the city. The mental connection with Eclipse felt like a hidden strength, a reassuring presence even though the shadowy serpent was not physically present. He started walking again, following Astrid's lead.
As they continued their journey, Astrid's curiosity persisted. She peppered him with more questions, trying to piece together the puzzle of his abilities and his connection to Eclipse.
"You said it 'appeared' to help you," she began, her tone probing. "Have you encountered it before? In the forest?"
Kurozane kept his answer vague. "It… has been around."
"And that weapon," she continued, gesturing to the empty space where the Null Blade had been. "It vanished as quickly as it appeared. Was it also… part of your 'abilities'?"
"Something like that," Kurozane replied, offering no further explanation. He could feel Eclipse's silent presence within his mind, a source of comfort and a reminder of the power he now possessed.
Astrid sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "You're being remarkably secretive. You defeated a Shadowed Maw, something that troubles even seasoned hunters. You wielded a weapon that dissolved into shadow, and you have a creature that appears and disappears at will. Forgive me if I find that… unusual for someone who looks like they've been wandering the wilds for days."
Kurozane remained silent, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. He understood her curiosity, but he wasn't ready to reveal the truth about the void, his lineage, or the true nature of Eclipse. The mental link was a secret he held close, a personal connection that solidified his bond with the shadowy serpent in a way Astrid couldn't comprehend.
Astrid, sensing his reluctance to share, eventually fell silent, though her thoughtful glances in his direction indicated her curiosity was far from satisfied. The journey to Oakhaven continued, the silence now filled with unspoken questions and the quiet hum of a newfound mental connection.
(End of Chapter 34)