Chapter 44: 41. Shadow Realm

"There are a few elements to the robe." Gene holds nothing back as she explains every detail about the cozy dark robe.

"First, this battle robe will act as a conduit for shadow. This will allow greater control over entry out of the greater and lesser shadow realms. This will also aid you in cycling and using shadow mana, making you much more efficient. Think of it as having a permanent shadow with you at all times. Secondly, the robe has an assortment of specific spatial pockets. You can never have enough pockets. Put it on. You will see." 

Gloom forms to my body, taking on an appealing style. A tapered bottom that is slightly longer on the right side runs down past my shins. The robe covers the front of my legs with no excessive overlap. Atop the robe is a nice hood. The sleeves are loose while not being too baggy. Three laces under my neck allow me to tighten the robe to my liking on my upper body. I wish I had a mirror or that Bones was here. I am pretty sure I look good. 

Pockets and slots for stuff are plenty on the robe. Inside the back, there is a large slot. I look at Gene with a look of wonder. "When you do not want to wear your quiver, you can put it in this storage pocket. This pocket is only meant for the quiver and items contained in it. Do not try to store anything other than the quiver and its contents." Gene quickly explains.

"That sounds great. What about the swords in the sheath attached to the quiver? Will those be stored?" I ask, seeking further clarification on the pocket's holding abilities. 

"Yes, the sheaths are a part of the quiver. They will also be stored in your pocket.

"The pocket is bound to the quiver and the quiver to the pocket. This means the quiver can be stored and retrieved by your intent." 

To test what Gene says, I give the command to the quiver, and it vanishes into the robe. A similar command brings the quiver back into my hands. "With some practice, you will be able to command the quiver to be equipped and unequipped. Likewise, there is a similar pouch on the quiver to hold the cloak if you don't want to wear the robe.

"There is one more thing you should be aware of. Some dark lancers and runes are strong enough to temporarily make your spatial bags inaccessible. In times of conflict, I find it best to keep myself well prepared."  

On the outer left side of the robe is another sizable pocket. Reaching my hands into the pocket, I discover that the space is endless. "The pouch you are reaching into is a space dedicated to organic material. It is designed to keep the material organized and fresh. Keeping food in your pocket will keep you supplied with fresh food for an extended time. All you need to do is think of the food or organic material you have stored when you reach into the pouch, and it will appear in your hand. 

"Along the inside are two chest pockets. On the left is a space set aside for elixirs, and on the right is a space for throwable runes. The last pocket—inside the robe near your right hip—is primarily for prepared rituals and materials for rituals. Currently, it won't be of much use as a ritual storage pocket, so I suggest using it how it best suits you.

"Gloom is the apex of weaving, runes, and enchantments. I had the creators push the battle robe to its magical limits." Gene's face is full of excitement as she describes the genius of Gloom's design. "On top of everything else, Gloom has two more enchantments. Self-repairing and heat regulating."

"Dang, Gene! Gloom is probably the most over-the-top robe I've ever seen."

"Fashionable, useful, and practical, the perfect robe for a queen…or a king. As you can see, Gloom is quite gender neutral." Pride is nearly bursting out of Gene, and I take it she had more to do with its creation than just coming up with the idea. 

Obtaining both Gloom and the combo quiver, I wish I had more trinkets I could put in my many pockets. Heeding Gene's advice, I sheath the two swords I took from the horde battle back at my camp and equip the quiver over Gloom. True to the Queen's words, the robe and quiver are marvelous. Comfortable and elegant in all ways. Even the combo quiver on my back is sleek in design, almost meshing in with the cloak adding very little bulk and lots of functionality. 

The sheaths themselves are a spectacular design allowing me to draw my swords quickly without restrictions. I bend over many times backward, forwards, and sideways, testing the limits of the combo quiver. To my satisfaction, neither arrows nor blades come loose from the pack. Clearly, there is more magic at work than Gene explained. 

Pulling my attention from my newly acquired gear, Gene motions me to the center of the room and instructs me to sit. 

"Welcome to a shadow nexus. Inside this building, your ability to cultivate shadow will be far more rewarding than just about anywhere else. It is also here that we can enter the Greater Shadow Realm. Before we can do that, you need to learn a few things about this power.

"To start, let's get you cultivating shadow. Unlike cycling death mana, dark mana requires constant pulling. You are not trying to burst through a dam. It is a gentle pull."

I sit down and listen intently to the Shadow Queen's words. When she finishes, I apply her techniques to my dark core. 

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Gently, I pull on the mana. The darkness is quick to respond to my pull. When I try to channel it through my body, the mana slips away like sand until there is only a sliver of the mana following my draw. I do this several times, getting the same results. 

"Focus the continual pull directly at your core. Once you lead the mana to your channels, begin pulling again from the core." 

With the added advice, I can successfully cycle dark mana through my body. The mana is cool and relaxing as it surges through my body. My vision is amplified even further. I can now see all the variations in the shades of black that decorate the dark hut. The darkness is beautiful in its own way. 

The power at my control feels immense. The dark is mine to command. In this cavern, I have absolute control. With a thought, I summon a blade of darkness. I'm not even touching the sword, yet it obeys my command. Another thought and I have summoned a minion much like Bones. While it doesn't have the autonomy as Bones, it follows my command with proper instructions. I imprint my will once more onto the dark mana. Ten minions stand before me. 

I look over to Gene, satisfied with my results. Even looking at her, I can see clearer details. The bags in her eyes. The strands of gray through her long dark hair. I can even see that her spirit looks to be fading ever so slightly.

"I see you have grasped the power of the dark. Now you must make a choice. You can keep your dark core pure and wield the dark mana. Or you can follow my ways and embrace the shadow."

"Will I still be able to control the dark if I go the route of shadow?"

"You will not. This reason is why many avoid following the path of shadow. Darkness is a power that can be seen and felt. Battlefields can change instantly under the dark lancer's influence. Shadow is more subtle. Less dramatic. 

"I must let you know that you can still have both. If you enter a warlock contract with me, you will gain all my shadow abilities while still keeping your dark mana pure."

"Well, when you put it like that, Gene, I think I will double down on shadow mana. What can I do to start tainting this dark core faster?"

I didn't realize how much my decision weighed on the shaman until she heard my answer. Gene's eyes light up and her shoulders ever so lightly release tension. Compliments to her for offering the contract that she really doesn't want. 

"The last thing we will cover for now is how to enter the minor shadow realm. This is a separate realm for each shadow lancer. Entering this realm will set you on the path of shadow. Your core will tune with the mana changing from dark to shadow. Once you enter this realm, I want you to rest. We will resume when you return. 

"To enter your shadow realm, you must pull the dark mana from your body. The technique is a continuation of pulling from your core, except this time pulling from your body."

Familiar with the technique already, pulling the mana from my body is as simple as Gene explained it to be. The dark mana pools in the air for a moment. Once enough mana gathers, the pool morphs into an image of myself. 

"This is your shadow. Step into it, and you will be in your shadow realm. The Minor Shadow Realm. Now step in and rest for as long as you can. When you awaken, your dark core will be attuned to shadow." 

I follow Gene's enticings for the second time and step entirely into the dark. This time though, it is my darkness. My shadow. 

Inside my shadow, everything is the same. Maybe a bit wispier version of what it was. I am still inside the nexus hut and can see Gene's slightly washed-out figure. Her eyes are focused on where I was. When I move around, she doesn't track my steps. She closes her eyes, and when she opens them again, she looks right at me. "Good." She mouths. "Now rest."

Taking orders isn't so bad once you get used to it. Sure, you lose a sense of autonomy. But in a way, if I was going to do it anyway, am I being told what to do, or are they just pre-acknowledging that I am taking the correct next action? I'll save my deep philosophical thoughts for later. Maybe Bones will have an unbiased opinion. For now, I store my quiver and lay on the floor. Using the Gloom as a blanket adds an extra element of comfort. Before long, I fall asleep.

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