My Milf System

As Tama fell unconscious in the real world during the battle, her soul, however, was drifting deeper into a void of pure darkness.

Strangely... it felt warm and welcoming. Then a voice from somewhere in the void called out to her.

"Dear child. Will you accept my power?"

The voice was neither deep nor shrill. It was musical like a lullaby sung by the stars. Then behind her, a faint glow of light came to life. She spun around, and saw a dim lantern, placed next to a figure who sat....no, not sat. He reclined sideways, one palm supporting his head, the other flipping lazily through a book spread open on the floor. A long, tattered black coat draped over his form. The man, beautiful enough to be mistaken for a woman seemed entirely unbothered by her presence.

Behind him, shadows swirled gently, almost in rhythm. The sheer beauty of the scene brought tears to Tama's eyes.

But she blinked them back, steadying herself.

"W-Who are you?" she asked, her voice cracking despite herself.

The man didn't lift his head. Instead, he licked his finger, flipped another page, and replied lazily:

"People call me all sorts of things. Shadow Monarch. Fallen Angel. Devil. The Black One. Master Velsvog. Take your pick. Titles are fun, but exhausting. Just pick whatever sounds coolest to you."

Tama hesitantly stepped forward and took a clearer view at the man's features. Her breath caught in her throat. He had long black ears, tipped with white streaks.

Just like hers.

Those ears. Those names, and that tattered coat....

The realization hit her all at once!!

"It's you!!" she gasped. "The man in the scrolls! Our ancestor! You're real? You're alive?" Her voice shook with rising emotion. "Why didn't you help us?! My father believed in you! You could've stopped it all! Our kind was slaughtered and you were just... gone!! Where were you!?"

She hadn't realized she was shouting until she was right in front of him, fists clenched, eyes glistening.

"Ahh, the curiosity of a youthful cat. That's a good sign. Means you're still breathing. But sorry—I can't answer all that. Not right now."

"What do you mean..."

"In case you forgot, your body's still in danger. This is just your subconscious. If your real self dies, then this whole conversation ends up a sweet dream and nothing more."

He cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and suddenly his expression turned theatrical.

"Young lady! The fate of the world hangs upon your paws....I mean hands! I, Velsvog, your illustrious, devastatingly charming ancestor, hereby bestow upon you the sacred mission of... being the CHOSEN ONE!"

He struck a dramatic pose, arm extended.

Tama stared at him, unimpressed. "…Seriously?"

He grinned, entirely too proud of himself.

He'd been waiting centuries for this. Practicing those exact words in every language the Void ever spat out. Studying from scrolls across alternate shadow realms on how to pass burdens to descendants in a stylish, ancestorly fashion.

Oh, how he'd dreamed of this day.

"Come on, that was awesome." He beamed. "Totally nailed the tone."

Tama squinted. "You're kind of childish for an ancient legend."

"Thank you!" he said, wiping a fake tear. "I try my best. So...what do you say, young lady?"

Tama frowned. "Saving the world? That's cliche and I'm not interested."

Velsvog's grin vanished, and his tone lowered, serious now. "I figured as much. I mean, saving a world that let your kind be hunted down and wiped out? That never even saw you as people? Yeah… ridiculous."

He looked at her evenly.

"Let's say I chose the wrong words. Here's the real mission: will you accept my power, and stop a certain someone? The one behind the massacre of our kind. Don't do it for the world. Do it for the Blackcats that may still be born one day. The next generation."

Tama's brow furrowed. "The next generation?"

Velsvog nodded. "Some will be born with ears like yours, even if their parents seem normal. My blood runs deep even in those who forgot it. And you… you might one day bear a child. Don't you want them to grow up free? Safe? Not hunted like prey? Without being called omens?"

Tama hesitated. He had a point.

But curiosity got the better of her.

"You said someone is behind it all… who?"

Velsvog flinched. "Urgh. That guy. I'd rather not say his name—it leaves a sour taste. I killed him once. Devoured his shadow, took some of his skills, his memories. But he didn't stay dead. Accept my power, and you'll inherit pieces of what I saw and a bit of my memories. Should be enough to give you an idea. But hey—it's been centuries. So things might be a little… fuzzy."

Tama remembered reality. Her frozen body. The fight. That damned dark elf still probably treating her like a punching bag.

She had no choice.

"Alright then... I accept."

Velsvog brightened. "Excellent! Kneel before your most handsome ancestor."

She groaned but knelt.

He lifted his book, tapped her shoulders ceremoniously, and intoned:

"I, Velsvog Vevezuela—legendary troublemaker, slayer of monsters, keeper of forbidden tomes, and lover of tea—hereby pass on my power, knowledge, burdens, and throne to…"

He peeked with one eye and whispered. "What's your name again?"

"Tama."

"Right." He cleared his throat and continued.

"—To Tama, my pure and rightful descendant! May the shadows obey your will. May the darkness kneel before your roar. And may you carry this heavy, overcomplicated legacy with style and sarcasm. And burdens. Did I mention burdens?"

He clapped his hands. "All done!"

Tama blinked. "…I don't feel different."

"Give it a moment. It's more of a 'slow burn, almost-get-you-killed-but-then-save-you' kind of power."

She frowned. "You're not pulling a prank on me, right, old man?"

"OLD—?!" He clutched his chest, gasping. "You wound me! I'm still devilishly handsome, thank you very much!"

"Yeah... that's true," Tama muttered sarcastically.

"Oh, right! Almost forgot something important," he added. "The power I gave you? It's what killed me. Or, well, made me go extinct. Don't go diving too deep into the darkness or you'll never come back. The shadows… they're not exactly friendly. Show weakness, and they'll devour you."

Tama scowled. "Shouldn't you have said that earlier?"

"Oh! Also—you might be targeted by that someone I mentioned. I don't know what form he's taken now, or what name he's using. But if he devours you… the world's doomed. So yeah. Be careful."

His body began fading, arms first, then his shoulders, swallowed by the darkness as the flickering lamp dimmed.

"Welp, looks like my nap time's over!" he called out, still grinning. "Now, one last ancestral advice!"

His voice echoed as only his head remained visible.

"Deal with the darkness inside you before calling yourself Shadow Patriarch and claiming my seat. And...." he winked, "....stretch those smooth legs wide for your man, okay? We need lots of descendants."

Tama's face turned bright red. "I'm not a baby factory, you old creep!!"

"That's the spirit!!" he cackled as the darkness consumed him and his whole body disappeared.

And then, all went dark.

TBC