Nyxian didn't move for a long moment.
Neither did the shadow ferret.
They regarded each other quietly, the forest hushed around them as though holding its breath.
Then the ferret shadow tilted its head.
And chirped.
Nyxian let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"I did it," she whispered.
Jax knelt beside her. "You did."
She scooped the shadow creature up without hesitation, pressing it against her chest like it might disappear if she loosened her grip.
"It answered me," she said, voice thick. "Not because I told it to. Because it wanted to."
Jax nodded. "That's the difference."
She looked up at him, eyes blazing now—not with lust or bravado, but certainty.
"I get it," she said. "Shadow Summons aren't about dominance. They're about alignment."
"Exactly."
She smirked faintly. "Still sexy though."
He laughed quietly.
They began walking back toward safer ground as the forest darkened. Echo curled around her neck like a thick neckless.
They spent the next hour or so hunting and training.
Nyxian snuck behind a B ranked Bearcat. While Jax stood in front of it in a standoff.
The edge of the trees cast a long shadow behind it. She stepped on the shadow of the beast.
It froze and was paralyzed. Its head was shaking, jaw strained to open. It roared in confusion and distress.
Jax moved in a blink of an eye.
The Bearcat's head hit the ground.
The body stood for a heartbeat longer - Then gravity reclaimed it.
"That's going to be useful," Jax commented.
Would you like to Learn the Shadow sub skill - Shadow Bind
Jax was a little shocked it offered it to him as well. I guess seeing it, or knowing about it, gives him the ability to learn something new.
He didn't want to make Nyxian feel less than special, so he turns so that she can't see his system anymore.
"Yes"
Shadow sub skill learned - Shadow Bind (rare)
They had been collecting the beasts they had either witnessed being killed, or those that Jax killed himself. They were collected and placed into Jax's storage in his System.
They started walking together on their way to exit the forest.
"By the way," Nyxian added casually, "it's unfair how fast you picked up Shadow Bind."
Jax raised a brow. "You noticed?"
"Of course I noticed. You learned it just by watching me."
He shrugged. "My system flags useful skills when I understand them conceptually. I seem to be able to learn non-Legendary abilities that way."
She stared at him."…Unfair."
He smiled and just shrugged his shoulders.
"What did you learn from the others?"
Jax was trying to keep it casual and not coming off as bragging. "Just a few things. Some various healing techniques from Zephriel, unlimited capacity and binding from Llandra, controlled earthquakes and an air walk technique from Bunny."
Even though he replied completely casually, this was a big deal. Adventurers can level up their entire lives and only reach 2 or 3 special rare skills. Most never see even one Legendary in a lifetime.
And after 2 weeks with Jax, each of the Vixens now had 4 rare and 1 Legendary ability. And here Jax casually learned 8 or 9 abilities in a matter of days by just watching others.
"Your system is amazing," Nyxian stated in disbelief.
"You just really like my iPoints, don't you," Jax said jokingly, trying to diffuse the conversation.
"No, that's not what I meant," she countered laughing. "Well, actually Yeah. That is what I mean. The power to level other people's base points and allow them to learn new skills by just having sex with someone is unheard of."
"Yeah, it would have been much cooler, if I had gotten that Immortality skill I tried to choose," Jax said now lost in thought at it's applications.
Nyxian stopped walking. Jax lost in thought didn't notice for about a second. And then he turned around, looking at her.
"I want you to hear me on this," Nyxian said very seriously. "I don't believe in fate or destiny, but your System wanted you to have those iPoints. Not because of the adventures you can have with it. But because of WHO YOU ARE."
She started to walk toward him, closing the gap that occurred when she stopped. She reached out and grabbed Jax's muscular arm with her right hand.
"Your true strength doesn't come from your," she begins to get flirty, "well defined and powerful muscles."
She moves her hands to his chest. "Your strength comes from Empoweringothers."
Jax paused to think about that.
Nyxian continued, "Look at what you have done for Brannic and Merriweather, the businesses in Solmere. Heck, look at what you did by helping to abolish slavery. You give others guidance and POWER to help themselves."
She moves her hand from his heart to his face in a tender embrace.
"I'm sure immortality would have been cool to have. Would even help keep us safe. But by getting the iPoints system, we will become strong enough to protect ourselves. And all of that is because of you and what you do. You allow everyone you meet to become the best versions of themselves, My Beloved."
Her hand slowly moves from his face in a very flirty manner. She walks past him, shaking her hips, knowing full well that Jax is watching her from behind.
Her words made an impact on Jax. He didn't think of things that way.
Jax being Jax, decided to still make light of the speech, "Yeah, you just love the excuse to have sex with the iPoint system."
"You're damn right I do!" She exclaimed while continuing to walk.
They reached the edge of the woods just as lantern light from the distant road became visible.
Nyxian was practically glowing now, Echo curled happily around her shoulders like living ink.
She stopped.
Turned to him.
"So," she said sweetly, "everyone else got their one-on-one time."
Jax crossed his arms. "This wasn't—"
"Oh no," she interrupted, stepping closer. "This was training."
She poked his chest.
"What comes next is my reward."
His lips twitched. "You're not subtle."
She leaned in, voice low.
"I'm a succubus. Subtlety is optional."
They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence.
When Solmere came into view, Nyxian sighed contentedly.
"I'm kicking everyone out of the room," she announced. "Politely."
Jax chuckled. "They won't go quietly."
She smiled—sharp, delighted.
"They will for me. And for him," looking down at Echo who was still curled around her neck.
Echo chirped approvingly.
Nyxian had failed all day.
And succeeded where it mattered.
Tomorrow, the world would feel her shadows.
Tonight—
She intended to feel him.