Time slowly passed.
After who knows how long, as the Elden beasts completed their inheritance, the entire dark expanse trembled. The opposing trait of their Dantian began to resonate, their clash intensifying until the entire space seemed on the verge of collapse.
The light receded, and Ayin stood proud, her radiant pinkish, rainbow luster form exuding serenity.
The blackness condensed, Zesh's darkness-wreathed body radiating raw might.
Their eyes closed tightly as if they're in trance.
The void existence nodded approvingly and pulled out something out of its mouth again; a pair of runes, blue and red, intertwining in the air as a perfect balance.
It grunted deeply as it make a separating motion before the balance split into a pair of small beating heart. Blue flows into Ayin and red drilled into Zesh. Her all white Dantian developed a dark blue nucleus, while his darkness gained a bright red core.
The newly awakened Dantian slowly stabilized.
The next moment, their eyes opened simultaneously. Her bluish eyes glimmered while his blood-red eyes glinted like lightning.
Ayin voiced her amazement while Zesh clawed at the darkness below him, leaving deep marks.
The void entity, watching with an unreadable expression, said with amusement, "You will never be the same again—"
Zesh struck.
It was too sudden and abrupt, but the next thing Ayin knew, Zesh was planted on the dark ground.
<…>
"Ahem, sorry, but that's not how it's work little guy." it chuckled lightly,
Giving a satisfied smile to their comedic performance, it turned and walked away. As it did that, the darkness that enveloped everything also slowly fade away.
Zesh stood up, mood sour, his voice harsh.
The being step suddenly strained.
It stumbled and almost fell from her words.
"….."
There was a long silence.
"….what did you say?"
<…I'm sorry but I did not know how to use this, uh, inheritance.> Ayin made a sorry expression.
"…."
"…"
A few minutes later, the being stood before them while crossing its arms in annoyance.
"Alright, tell me again just what did those old fogies told you in your dream." it's foot tapped the floor with impatience, "Are you sure they hadn't gave you both any instructions regarding this inheritance? Like at least, tell you WHAT is Dantian?"
"...…"
<…What?> Zesh narrowed his eyes.
"..no, it's just, ah, so that's why they paid me so much." if it has eyes, it must have crying right now.
"…I bet they don't want their all mighty and sagely image ruined from talking about this, huh. Haish. Well, whatever." it sighed, "Alright, listen carefully little mister and little miss."
<'oh, it being funny again'> Ayin thought to herself while Zesh frowned, annoyed that it ignored his question.
"You both have inherited the power of dragon and elf respectively, in form of a Dantian. What is Dantian? It is a core, simply speaking, of a living being. Yes, it's just like your heart. But while your heart had physical form, Dantian don't. Do every creature have Dantian? Yes, with some exception like the dead obviously. But no, nor everyone can utilize their Dantian. To access and use a Dantian, special method or technique must be used. This is called cultivation."
"Yes."
<…..then how come my parents always said they're nothing but weaklings? While I feel so much power.>
"Young Zesh, can you differentiate a beast who started everything on their own from the ground zero, and a beast who just got all the power of the strongest being in the past?"
Zesh scoffed grumpily.
"Alright that's enough for introduction. If you're still confused, you can do your own research later."
"Yes yes, young Zesh. So impatient." it chuckled, "To use this power, naturally you have to cultivate."
"Don't worry! The way to use this power of you both… is a bit unique." its smile deepen, "The main ability of this inheritance of yours, it's very nature is predation on what's mystical. By practicing this cultivation, you can absorb the strength of others. By consuming their flesh and joining together, you will gain what was once theirs to wield. And in the same case, you must do so to truly inherit your new power right now."
Zesh nodded with surprise.
Ayin stood in silence, observing their exchange. She was still amazed by how talkative this scary monster was when her brain finally digested what she just heard, causing her expression to turn strange.
Zesh was the same.
"Aw, come on you guys, don't make me say it! You know what I meant immediately, right? You did! You both, at the same time! That's twin for you!" it covered its face as if embarrassed, "Well, after all you are of flesh and blood. So the cultivation method of this inheritance is basically THAT. Through the act of… coupling, the mystical power you devoured can pass from one to the other to be absorbed, and well, also increased your relationship further."
Ayin's jaw dropped as her eyes wide in disbelief.
"But I YES say,"
The being cut smoothly, "Your Dantian right now, strictly speaking, are frozen. I mean, that's the only way to preserve it through the tide of time. And to melt and absorb it, yes, you two MUST mate."
Zesh froze, his body stiffening.
Ayin shook her head quickly, her voice rising.
Living on the wild, she would commonly see animals do that sort of thing. If that wasn't enough, they had even saw what their parents did secretly at night. And obviously, Kaska and Gatts didn't tell them the truth, the fact that they themselves are siblings, and instead teach them the normal ethical knowledge.
After all, Kaska and Gatts are perfectly sane beast, they wasn't some psycho who would built a secluded family freak condominium.
So it's only natural if their childs reacted this way.
"It's frozen. So, once you get cozy, the darkness in you and her light will clash, ultimately causing both to melt and become absorbable. You know, supranatural stuff. At that point, all you need to do, well, just enjoy yourself. I mean, really. You just have to do the "seggs" act in whatever style you want, and you'll still grow strong anyway." it laughed, "But of course. You must do it with your brother only. Other people? Whatever if you want to get freaky, but yes, it won't do anything but give you pleasure—"
Zesh snapped in fury,
However before he could do anything, he was frozen solid by an invisible force.
The dark atmosphere returned.
The being of the void's gaze bore into them, "Do you think such trivial concepts matter to power? Had you not ready to do anything for power?"
Zesh's fur bristling.
Zesh clenched his jaw, his mind racing.
"This is the only way to utilize your inheritance. You can go wherever you want, to the end of the world, to the heaven, to the deepest trench, but you won't find the anything to replace it." its voice cut through their protests like a blade. "This method is not merely one of physical—it is a union of flesh and soul. To ascend is to abandon the mortal shackles that bind you."
Ayin lowered her head,
Zesh growled low in his throat, his eyes narrowing at the being.
"I DON'T CARE." the messenger simply said so.
It scoffed before continuing, "Little sister, you've consume the flesh containing mystical power, taking their essence into your bodies. But it is through union that this essence is absorbed. If young Zesh consume, you will receive the power once he ejaculate deep inside you. If little sister consume, her milk will transfer the power to you."
Zesh: <…>
"I've fulfilled the deal." The void entity didn't bother as its presence flickered, "From now on, you both can decide your own future."
"Sigh, those old farts, they should have just choose normal successor, why bother with this same-faced animal? They're just gonna wasted it. Well, not my problem anyway." With a finger snap, the entity slowly faded like mist back into the void, leaving the them alone in—
The twin was hit with another wave of surprise.
<…home?>
Yes.
It's simple, yet imbued with the soft pulse of nature, the natural rhythm of the forest.
The walls are formed from the tree's own bark with intricately woven patterns. A soft, glowing moss lines the floor, casting a calming, dim light in the evenings sunlight. Small, round windows carved into the trunk allow just enough sunlight to filter in during the day, bathing the space in a golden hue.
A low stone hearth sits at the center, with a warm gentle fire that never quite goes out, crackling softly as the flames dance. The air smells of earth, pine, and the comforting scent of the their family's own fur. In the corner, a bed made of thick, soft leaves and woven vines offers a peaceful rest. The sounds of the forest—whispering winds, distant rustling, and the occasional songbird—meld with the tree's subtle hum, creating a serene, harmonious atmosphere.
They couldn't recognize it wrongly.
It was a place where they born, raised and grow older.
Home.
But Ayin was more emotional. Without saying anything, she run towards the doorway—bang! She rolled behind and crashed on to the stone hearth. The flames spilled and start burning the dried moss, causing the twin to panic.
They easily put off the fire.
No response.
In the end, he sighed deeply,
For a long moment, they just let themselves lost in reminiscent until they had nothing more to say. Then, the air between them grew heavy with unspoken emotions—fear, anger, confusion.
Zesh didn't saw it, but at that moment, Ayin's rainbow luster flickered almost crazily.
And at last, she broke the silence.
Zesh turned to her sharply, eyes widening.
<…..>
Zesh groaned, placing a paw over his face.
Although they're barely ten years old, beast was after all different from humans. In Elden beast society, eight years was already considered as teenage phase. And while nine wasn't mature yet, they could still bear children, thus such knowledge were normal. After all, average female Elden beast could mothered over a hundred child in their life.
But Ayin and Zesh didn't grew in such society.
They're prized jewel hidden by their Gatts and Kaska.
From their's teaching, they both know that they'll do it eventually. But not now, and obviously not today.
Zesh glanced at her, his expression softening,
She suddenly became unsure of her own words, but it was only for a moment.
<…well, they did said it, but...>
She looked at him again, her eyes glistening.
That's his true feeling.
Despite everything, his hatred, his desire for vengeance, overwhelming rage, etc. he was not mad, crazy, or obsessed with power. In contrast, he's lazy. If everything was still the way it was, he'll still be asleep at this hour. But after losing his father, his greatest wish is to protect his sister.
That's all.
And that's why he hated humans, because they can't be trusted, they are the cause of their tragedy.
Avenge his father, seek and save his mother…
That's why he seek power.
All he wanted was to to protect better.
So he can fight back.
But if the cost of this power was her sister, he won't even think twice to reject it.
<…I saw it.>
Ayin telepathic voice brought him back from his spiraling thoughts, accompanied by soft whimper as she lowered her head.
<…Saw what?>
<…..what?>
Ayin snapped with desperation as her tears steaming down,
"NO!"
Zesh cut her harshly, deep unnatural voice resounded from his now clean jaw. It shocked Ayin greatly.
"It was not, NEVER, at all—your fault, sis. NO. It's mine, it's my fault alone. So please don't think about it. It's fine, don't remind me of my weaknes—" his voice caught, he stopped screaming abruptly.
"It's my fault." his voice trembled as he realized he had said too much, tears threaten to spill from his eyes.
Suddenly, Ayin hug her.
Zesh widened in surprise as her telepathic voice whispered to her soul, his body trembled even more.
There was no sadness in her voice.
No, maybe there was.
It just that she coated it with honey.
Zesh mind was blank—just what was that? Suggestion? Humiliating him? Seduction? He didn't know, but his trembles stop as if frozen.
Ayin pulled herself and gazed straight in his eyes.
<…>
What was hidden beneath that honey?
Zesh knew.
They weren't twin for nothing.
They had lived all their lives, close, always together, almost always only two of them.
How could he not know what his sister felt?
There was a long silence as their eyes locked on each other gaze, but finally, he sighed, his voice low.
She continues with a smile
Her words touched Zesh's heart deeply and he smiled.
Basking in the sunlight, they hugged each other warmly. It was not until a few moments later that Ayin broke the loving scene with her soft whisper.
They locked eyes, a mixture of resolve, embarrassment and awkwardness passing between them.
Zesh nodded,
The two moved closer, and then…
<…>
<…..>
....there was silence all around.
Zesh tilting his head sluggishly,
<…>
Blushing hard, Ayin avoid his questioning gaze,
<…>
<…..>
So awkward.