grasp of mastery

After briefly looking about the area, the gaze of the Serpent turns towards Blaidd. The Serpent slithers closer, if only to remark.

"I am tired of humansss and their despicable 'bravery' in harassing me at my weakessst."

"Teach me about shadowsss. I want to teach them a lesson."
(Fidi)

Blaidd says, "Right. This will extend to all of you."

[THEY WALK AWAY ELSEWHERE]

In this corner of the Dreadwoods, the darkness was nearly too thick to see for those not attuned to it. The trees rose high enough to block out the light completely, coupled with the great levels of Occult corruption in the earth. It was here that Blaidd was able to commune with the dark so effortlessly; he was completely saturated in it.

"Where we sit, we drown in this darkness around us. A shadow so dense that I can't imagine you all could even see each other. It is in this darkness that you will find a great strength."

An inhalation, and the elder wolf fades into the shadow completely. His form melting into the darkness as physical might gives way to the serene peace of the dark.

"To manipulate this darkness is to be in tune with your own. Either through great trials with your Occultism, or through the manipulation of physical darkness with Illusionary magic. But both paths will lead you to the same outcome. I found power through the dark by attuning my own natural occultism towards the dark."

"The first lesson is to show no fear when sight has been robbed. You must command you magics in confidence while surrounded by the dark. Do not fear it."

"Embrace it."
(Blaidd)

How could he be afraid of the dark?

Ever since awakening to this world and venturing out, all that the Serpent has experienced was abuse at expense of humanity- the rare few that were somewhat willing to help were still condescending in their way, putrid and repugnant. He could never understand how humanity tolerates itself, with the disgusting ways that could make the bile rise in anyone's throat at mere thought of it.

Perhaps, it is this hatred that was pushed onto the Demon's heart so early that would let him grasp the shadows.

"Loathsssome parasites.."

He does not fear the dark, he welcomes it. The shadowy snakes he's learned to summon prior to this were an ever present guest amidst the manipulations of shadows- the techniques of not only Occultic nature, but Illusory masterwork present in the way how Fidi operates.

"I do not care for my sssight."

"I do not care how much darkness takesss fromit. I want to punish those conniving.."

"Deceptive.. ignorant apesss."

The cold wrath was often the most terrible one. Heated mind could not fathom a way to execute vengeance, but a cold one could- and so, the shadows swirl further; it is here that the gleaming spark of golden snake-eyes that becomes barely visible through this dark..

So concentrated. It was getting close, wasn't it?
(Fidi)

"When you have cast off the fear of the dark, it is then that you must learn to command it." The first step was always the easiest; those who prided themselves on their power would always pass the first test of walked into the darkness.

It would be the second that made, or broke them.

"Reach out into the dark around you. Do not create, simply grasp at the shadows with your mana. Bend it to your will with occultism, or force movement through illusionary prowess. Move the shadows around you until you can plainly see the other students."

Blaidd does not reappear physically, he moves between the darkness around all of them while watching their progress. If they can move the darkness to see each other, then they've learned to cast their will on this element without fear.

It would be confidence and courage that determine their ability to move the darkness of this world, and not any sort of magical prowess they already have. No, they must learn to challenge the primordial fear of humanity and return with mastery of the darkness.
(Blaidd)

Is it any wonder that the dark seems to bend for Fidi already?

This was neither the first, nor the last time that he's reached out to the shadows in such manner. If anything, it would only prove itself to be an easier subject for the Demon, now that he had experience with it.. and it would most definitely be something he can command.

Especially when his heart and mind is so full of abhorrence to human species for all that they've done already. And he was only recently introduced to the world as a whole, too.

"Moving them ssshould not be a challenge."

It's no surprise that Demonkind finds themselves at their most powerful when they experience emotions such as these- when they experience the hatred large enough to move the mountains.. but it's up to them to transform that feeling into something greater.

Something that could truly invoke the power they claim to possess.

These shadowy snakes first disappear. Instead, what comes next is the representation of a larger Serpent.. much akin to himself, that steadily begins to shove the surrounding darkness aside. It is born of desire and will that comes from within Fidi.

It is born from the same force that would punish those that wronged him.

"The sssame darkness I move now..."

"I will use it to sssufocate these parasites."

Already he had several names in his mind. But this? This ought to be good.
(Fidi)

How unsurprising. The lesser demon was the only one who could properly manifest their spirit in tune to the darkness. But, his work was done for today. The basics of grasping Umbralmancy had been shown to them and they had the tools, should they use them properly, to gain a level of mastery over it.

Blaidd looks upon the demon for a moment in approval, only to switch his gaze to the two humans who had failed completely. "You must develop this skill in utter darkness. Your magic cannot create light, lest you lose your grip on the dark you try so desperately to control. But this is the end of the lesson."

With a singular movement, the darkness that nearly drowned the three of them sank to the floor, leaving nothing but a pool of shadow. Blaidd stood atop it, completely in control of the shadows in this area. "Work on it, you've been given everything you need to finish this training yourselves."

With that, Blaidd sinks into the shadows. Absorbed completely, and moving back to his position in the center of the growing settlement. His attention would be needed there, and these students had all he could teach them without training the skill for them.

"Seek the knowledge of your peers, if you do not understand."
(Blaidd)

To develop this skill is to work endlessly.

And while he may be on the path to completely master Umbralmancy and the manipulation of shadows, he's more than certain that there are other techniques that exist which could be expanded upon- the techniques that could very well guarantee that he would not only become capable of punishing those that wronged him...

But become the apex predator of his kind.

Is it simply because he wants to dominate, the power for sake of power? Of course not. That's incredibly dull, incredibly narrow-minded, and Fidi isn't that. Even now, when the shadows begin to carefully disperse- not out of lack of skill, but with fine manipulation- the snake-eyes stare upon Blaidd.

"Your help isss.."

"Appreciated."

When Blaidd disappears, however, sinking back into the shadows, no more words are said. There's only a subtle hiss, produced by a force of habit..

And the Serpent slithers away.
(Fidi)