Another chime broke through Parker's thoughts again ready for another surprise.
Mission: Escape the Olympian Champions.
Parker blinked at the notification hovering in his vision. "My pet. Hell yeah, let's see what I got."
Before he could voice it, another prompt popped up:
[Does host want to receive his pet? YES/NO.]
He smirked. Mentally, he selected YES.
A black portal tore open before him, swirling like ink bleeding into water. His breath hitched as something small tumbled through it, landing squarely in his lap.
"Whoa—!" Parker exclaimed, instinctively catching it. His wide-eyed surprise quickly shifted into joy. It was a cat.
Cats were his favourite and he got one himself, and a magical one at that.
A small, sleek black cat with fur so glossy it seemed to drink in the light around it. Its silver eyes, closed in what looked like deep sleep, faintly shimmered like the edge of a storm cloud.
"System…" Parker's voice softened, almost reverent.
[Host must bind the pet with your blood!]
He didn't hesitate, biting the tip of his thumb hard enough to draw blood.
"That hurts... a little,"
The crimson drop fell onto the cat's forehead, and instantly, a burst of red and dark light enveloped them both. The energy surged through Parker like wildfire, igniting his core and settling into his mind.
He gasped as the connection clicked into place, something deep and unspoken linking them.
The cat's eyes blinked open, sharp and alert. Silver met Parker's black and shining gaze, and he felt…seen, as if this tiny creature could peer straight into his soul.
"Ere," he whispered. The name slid into his mind as naturally as breathing.
Ere stretched lazily, curling deeper into his lap with the grace of a queen reclaiming her throne. She seemed utterly unbothered, completely at ease in his shadow.
Parker grinned. "You've got some attitude, huh? I like that!" He gently scratched behind her ears. Ere barely flicked her tail in acknowledgment.
Ere is a small, sleek black cat with a glossy coat that seems to absorb light. Her eyes are a piercing silver that shimmer faintly, hinting at something more than her humble form. She has a quiet, almost lazy demeanor, lounging in Parker's lap curling up like an ordinary cat.
"System, show me her stats."
The response was immediate:
Superpowers: Darkness, Dimension.
Abilities: Shadow Manipulation, Trail, Dimensional Traveling (locked), ???, ???
Special Skill: Master's Spoils Me!]
Parker read through the details, his brows arching higher with every line. "Okay, hold up. She's kind of broken. A walking cheat code." He chuckled, holding her up to look into her sleepy eyes. "And you're just gonna lie here like nothing happened, huh?"
Ere blinked at him, her silver gaze heavy with indifference.
"System description of her abilities and special skill."
The system chimed again:
[Shadow Manipulation:
Ere can merge into shadows, traveling undetected or extending them to shroud host in darkness, making him invisible to enemies, and enter your shadow.
In battle, she can unleash deadly tendrils of shadow to ensnare or attack foes.
[Dimensional Traveling:
Ere can open small portals allowing the master and pet to escape or access far locations host has been to.
[Trail: Ere can split her shadowy consciousness and attach it to the shadows of others, allowing her to follow them undetected and monitor their actions without their knowledge.]
He let out a low whistle. "Okay, now that's just creepy. Useful, but creepy. What could other abilities be?" he could only wonder.
Ere shifted in his lap, stretching like she owned the place, her tail curling lazily. Her blue eyes flicked up to him, shimmering with something that felt like smug acknowledgment.
"So, you can spy on people without them ever knowing? That's wild." He scratched behind her ears, earning the faintest flicker of satisfaction from the sleek cat. "Ere, you're like the ultimate undercover agent. CIA's got nothing on you."
The cat purred softly, her head tilting slightly as if to say, "Of course I am."
Parker chuckled, holding her closer. "Yeah, you're gonna be a real game-changer, aren't you?" He paused, glancing back at the system's description. A slow smirk tugged at his lips.
"Guess I've got myself a shadowy little spy. Don't worry, Ere, we'll put that ability to good use."
The pet's growth is infinite and tied directly to the master. The master's growth and pontential is her only limit. Additionally, the master may use one at a time of Ere's abilities at will.]
Parker let out a low whistle, still cradling her in his hands. "Damn, Ere. You're a badass. Don't worry I won't hold you back."
The cat gave a slow, deliberate blink, then rolled her silver eyes as if to say, "Obviously."
Parker laughed. "Ya know what, Ere? I love you already." He stroked her head, grinning like an idiot.
Ere's tail flicked, and for a moment, her expression seemed to say, "Shameless."
Parker only laughed harder.
As Parker cradled Ere, he leaned back, letting everything sink in. The Soul of Deception hummed faintly within him, its dark power a constant reminder of the edge he now possessed. Cloaked in shadow, untouchable to even the gods if played right, Parker felt like he was holding the keys to his own destiny. Yet, the weight of its limitations kept him grounded—this wasn't some toy to mess around with.
Ere nestled deeper into his lap, her silver eyes blinking lazily at him, almost mirroring his own thoughts. With her and the Soul of Deception, Parker was no longer just playing in this high-stakes game—he was becoming a force to reckon with. The chaos in the world was just the beginning.
Parker nodded to himself, determination hardening in his chest. He placed Ere gently on the couch, the cat curling up immediately, her sleek black form blending effortlessly into the shadows.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath, rolling his shoulders as he stood. "Time to stop thinking and start doing."
The room seemed to grow quieter, the air heavier, as Parker prepared to start absorbing energy for whatever came next. He could feel it building—the tension, the potential, the shift in his journey.
This was only the beginning.