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Chapter 8 – Awakening and First Bonds (Age 6–7)
Abzu sat alone in the clearing behind his small home, the sunlight streaming through the trees. His legs were folded, fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air as he focused on the strange warmth in his chest—an energy that had been growing stronger each day since he first remembered fragments of his previous life.
"Focus… just focus," he muttered, recalling the lessons from the life he'd lived before.
It had only been months since the Arc of Embodiment awakened within him. At first, he hadn't understood the strange sensations, the pull toward creating something… alive. And then, in a moment of desperation, when he wished he could protect himself from a minor childhood injury, a small ripple of energy coalesced into form.
A small, shimmering liquid-solid entity emerged from his chest, swirling and forming: Hydra, his first creation.
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Phase 1: First Encounter
The infant Hydra was no larger than a rabbit, a fluid amalgam of liquid and solid energy, with a faint crystalline core visible through its semi-transparent form.
It pulsed in tune with Abzu's heartbeat, tethered to him through the subconscious need for power and protection.
"What… are you?" Abzu whispered, astonished.
Hydra responded instinctively, curling around his chest like a protective aura. Even in this infantile form, it absorbed small injuries, accelerated healing, and stabilized Abzu's rapidly growing chakra.
Abzu realized that his body was changing too: his regeneration had increased, chakra flowed more naturally, and his physical coordination improved dramatically.
"So… you're mine?" he asked, and Hydra's core pulsed in agreement.
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Phase 2: First Training
Abzu decided to start training, knowing instinctively that controlling his Arc and the bonded creature would be key to survival and strength.
Using exercises reminiscent of the ones from his previous life—push-ups, chakra flow drills, controlled breathing, and meditation—he enhanced his physical and spiritual capacity.
Hydra acted as both training partner and feedback mechanism, expanding or contracting, offering resistance, and subtly forcing Abzu to manage his chakra more efficiently.
By the end of weeks of training, Abzu could sense Hydra's core energy even without looking, and small projectile forms of the entity could be sent out and returned instinctively.
"You're like a part of me," he said, a mixture of awe and curiosity in his voice.
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Phase 3: Early Combat Instincts
Abzu soon tested his abilities in a more combative setting. He set up small wooden dummies in the clearing, imagining a band of bullies or wild animals approaching.
Hydra extended tiny, fluid tendrils, striking targets in sync with Abzu's thoughts, almost like a second set of limbs.
Abzu realized that bonded creatures could act independently, yet still respond perfectly to his instincts and intentions.
"So… we fight together," he muttered, dodging and striking with an agility that far exceeded any normal six-year-old.
His Arc grew stronger with each session, and Hydra's head count increased slightly in response to Abzu's growing focus and need for defense.
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Phase 4: Awareness and Insight
That night, sitting by the small fire, Abzu reflected on what had happened:
His body was improving faster than normal.
Hydra's presence was a constant drain but also a source of growth.
He understood instinctively that bonded creatures were extensions of his soul, and mastering them meant mastering himself.
"If I grow strong enough… I can protect everything I care about," he thought, eyes shining with determination.
In that moment, Abzu resolved to train every day, no matter what challenges came his way. He knew the path of his life was different from normal shinobi, and that he was building something far greater than simple power—a foundation for the future demi-plane, bonded beasts, and eventual Arc mastery.
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Phase 5: Foreshadowing Friendship
The chapter ends with Abzu venturing toward the village, curious about life outside his home. It's here that he would eventually meet the girl who would become his wife, although today, he simply noticed another child playing nearby, unaware that this encounter would shape the future of his family and his Arc's development.
"One day… you'll see what I can do," he whispered to Hydra, as the entity coiled protectively around him, ready for every challenge to come.
Hydra's core glowed faintly, as if in agreement, signaling the beginning of a bond that would last for decades.
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This chapter establishes:
Abzu's first full awareness of his Arc and bonded creature (Hydra).
Early training, combat instincts, and chakra development.
Foreshadows meeting his future wife.
Introduces the idea that bonded creatures are semi-independent extensions of the host's soul.
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If you want, I can continue with Chapter 9, which would focus on Abzu meeting his future wife, forming a bond, and starting to explore chakra and bonded creature synergy in combat.
Do you want me to do that next?