The Phantom’s Gambit

As the week unfolded, Void and Octavius made individual discoveries of their own. They forged a pact, with Void agreeing to aid Octavius in his quest for revenge against those who harmed his sister, as well as confronting Thorne and his family. 

Additionally, Void vowed to help Octavius gain admission into the prestigious Academy. In return, Octavius consented to let Void take control of his body, after which he would depart peacefully. Until then, they agreed to coexist harmoniously. As part of their agreement, void would also cooperate and have a say in which animals Octavius would have him inhabit.

So far, they had made significant progress with the domestic animals in the area, but Octavius was eager to push the boundaries. Beyond his desire to master his abilities for the Academy, he was driven by a burning desire to master a skill that would serve him well in his quest for vengeance against those who had wronged him. 

The possibility of gaining an edge by utilizing a unique ability, even with Void's promise of assistance, prompted Octavius to suggest exploring other species of animals as well - including those that inhabited the water. Void strongly opposed the idea.

[We can try various things— even go and look for wild animals, but we are not getting in the water.] Void had said in refusal.

Octavius didn't press the issue, aware that Void was already frustrated with him. He didn't want to overstep his bounds. However, one day, while they were out searching for dangerous animals, they stumbled upon a lake. In a split second, Octavius pretended to lose his footing, falling into the water with a splash. His actions were deliberate but he hoped void would think it was an accident. 

However, the downside was that Octavius couldn't talk underwater. They ended up swimming out eventually, with Void taking control of the body to ensure their safe exit. 

But fate seemed to be on Octavius' side, as he emerged from the water with a fish in his breast pocket. Just as Void began to protest, Octavius uttered the words: "Enter one of the fish—" 

Void promptly obeyed, but soon found himself struggling to maintain stability. It wasn't until he managed to squeeze out a desperate [Can't breathe—] that Octavius realized Void was struggling to adapt without water. 

Quickly, Octavius grabbed the fish and tossed it back into the lake. In the process, he lost his balance and fell into the water again, this time unintentionally.

As Void inhabited the fish and began to swim and move about, Octavius stared intently at the Void-possessed fish, unaware that he was no longer holding his breath. 

Initially, he was alarmed by this realization, but his excitement soon took over. Octavius discovered that he could tap into the fish's unique traits, allowing him to swim and breathe underwater with ease.

When they emerged from the water, Void remained silent, and Octavius reciprocated by not pushing him to experiment with other animals for the rest of the day. 

However, Octavius had an epiphany: he didn't need to test more creatures. Instead, he could revisit the animals he had already experimented with and explore whether he could adapt their skills as well.

As the days unfolded, the phenomenon became apparent when Void possessed a creature, and Octavius could gain the ability to tap into its unique characteristics.

With a mere thought, he gained the ability to tap into the gentle currents of the breeze, allowing him to soar through the air with the effortless grace of a bird. 

He could also develop enhanced senses and agility, similar to those of a wolf. These discoveries filled Octavius with an overwhelming sense of excitement and hope, as he became convinced that mastering this ability would secure his admission into the prestigious Academy.

However, he also knew he had to exercise restraint. From his past experiences, he understood all too well that being different often led to hatred and persecution.

 So, he decided to practice discreetly, using sounds and pretending to chant, as if summoning animals before they fell under his trance-like control.

As for Void, despite obliging and not minding Octavius switching him from one animal to another, he didn't seem okay with it. Although he found the situation enlightening and fun, it was disrupting his plans.

As they slowly tapped into Octavius' prowess, Void grew uneasy. He wanted Octavius to continue believing his only ability was taming Void, despite Void's hatred for being controlled.

For the time being, Void decided to exploit Octavius' lack of knowledge. He led Octavius to believe that Void's presence was the reason for his newfound abilities, and that their shared physical form was the only reason he had access to the abilities. 

In essence, Void made Octavius think that he was completely dependent on their symbiotic relationship for his abilities, a deception that wanted to keep going until they arrived at the school.

Meanwhile, he discovered a way to secretly further his plans without Octavius' awareness. Void found that whenever he inhabited an animal's body, he could engage in internal monologues that Octavius couldn't detect. 

This newfound privacy made the situation slightly more bearable for Void. He could finally think clearly, without Octavius knowing about his plans to come.

After much deliberation over their new names, Void suggested they consult with Alaric. He knew that choosing a good name was only half the battle - it was equally important to avoid arousing suspicion. 

Since Octavius had passed the typical age for acquiring an essence, Void anticipated that the Academy's administrators would raise questions. He wanted to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to themselves, lest they become targets before they even had a chance to act.

When Alaric returned home with his daughter, Amy, Void requested a private audience with him. Void revealed his plan to infiltrate the academy and explained that he needed a credible identity to gain admission. He required the persona of someone who, although unremarkable, was known to exist. 

Alaric suggested the name of his former horse attendant, "Edwin Blackwood," a man whose dubious reputation preceded him. Edwin had a history of thievery, having stolen from Alaric on multiple occasions. His demise had been accidental, occurring while he fled after discovering Amy collecting blood from a deceased animal. 

Alaric's account was deliberately vague, but Octavius grasped the implication. 

Alaric continued, "Edwin didn't attend the passage rites, as his parents were both part of the Architect faction. He had little faith in joining the other fractions. As far as I know, nobody knew of his death, but his cunning nature was well-known." he briefed.

Since most people were unfamiliar with his appearance and disappearance, Void and Octavius decided to assume his identity.

As they retired to their room, Octavius' curiosity got the better of him, and he asked Void, "Is Amy a vampire?" He wondered if she might pose a distraction or a problem for them.

[She's the daughter of Alaric's late friend. He assumed a parental role since her mother's passing. Amy won't be a liability I know that for a fact. she could prove to be a valuable asset, especially if she's able to enter the academy after the Passage rites.]

The mention of the Passage rites sent a pang of sorrow through Octavius. It was a painful reminder of his birthday, his death day, and the day he lost everything that truly mattered. A wave of anguish washed over him, and he felt the familiar weight of grief settling upon his heart.

As he drifted off to sleep, his mind was consumed by haunting memories of his sister's brutal murder. The images of her broken body, the sound of her screams, and the feeling of helpless despair all came flooding back, threatening to engulf him in their darkness.

And he stood there, even in his dream, not being able to do a single thing.