The void was absolute and chilling. All around him was darkness and he could feel himself fading, the echo that he had become. It would be so easy to just lay down and allow it to happen but he could not. He would not. He had no body but threw himself against the edge of the void, each time recalling in terror and excruciating agony but he would go on. Time escaped him, his memories vacant and yet he threw himself at it over and over.

Suddenly the smallest streak of light flooded the darkness, insignificant but blinding in that space. He could not see where it came from but it gave him hope. Invigorated he returned to his task.

John awoke the next morning and frowned. He couldn't let himself get emotional and attached to people, that would get him killed. He needed to get stronger and to keep himself safe, that's all that mattered. With that, he stood from his bed and went into the bathroom. Inside he used shift the change forms multiple times, pushing his ability to modify the forms he knew to train it.

He then left the stall and went to get some food from the mess hall, there were a couple of other guards in there but he was early and most were still asleep. As he ate he practised his meditation, regaining some of the mana he used on his shifting. This would become his morning routine, he had neglected training his shift skill and it was without a doubt the most useful tool in his arsenal.

Once people started to enter the mess room he headed over to the quartermaster's room where he proceeded to start his tasks for the day. A half hour passed and Sean entered the room. The day passed once more, full of idle conversation and dull work. The evening came and the two found themselves eating together in the mess hall. 

 They had barely sat down when a warning went through the garrison, warning of attack. They both immediately left their food and jogged out of the room towards the yard where they formed ranks and made their way out of the compound in groups of 10. The mage attached to Johns group caught them up on what was going on.

"Listen up, we have a small horde of monsters heading this way, appear to be large and feline, powers unknown but they're fast. We're to hold the left flank. Move!"

They all began jogging off in the direction he directed them, as he was going John felt a hand on his shoulder. The mage pulled him towards the back of the group and whispered quietly to him.

"You're to stay back with me, you're not going to put yourself in more danger than you absolutely must. Not only are you still supposed to be recovering but you're going to be useful if whatever attacked you before attacks here. Understood?"

John nodded and he jogged alongside the mage. This wasn't ideal, he wouldn't get any experience if he wasn't fighting and no experience meant no levels which means he's not getting stronger. Still, he played the part of a good soldier and stayed where he was meant to. 

The groups formed a line facing the treeline, a couple of groups off to the side to make sure none flanked them. They waited in silence for a minute, straining their ears for sounds of activity when they appeared.

What appeared to be bright blue panthers padded out of the trees, nearly a hundred of them. There was a breif moment where both sides looked at one another. 150 gnomes and a human staring into the eyes of hungry predators. The mages broke the stalemate, sending projectiles of earth, ice, fire and lightning towards them. Where they struck a panther or two would be injured except for the lightning. As the bolts of lightning streaked towards the cats they seemed to be sucked into them, sparks scattering across their fur and those that were hit seemed more energised after that. 

They charged towards the mages, each protected by their group. The projectiles continued to fire and the guards readied themselves to receive them. A dozen panthers died before they reached the lines. 

Claws the size of kitchen knives scraped against shields, leaving deep grooves and causing the arms of the bearers to tremble. Spears from those behind them flashed out, mostly being turned away by the fur and hide but some finding purchase, puncturing the skin and leaving holes of gushing blood. Again and again, they traded blows another dozen panthers died before the shields began to fail. 

The onslaught of the claws weakened the shields and the pressure placed on them began to snap them. Those that lost their sheilds pulled their swords and began to frantically parry at swiping paws. More and more shields were taken out of play. Gnomish blood began to spill along with the blood of beasts.

Those in Johns group began to be pressed back, the pressure and missing a man leaving them weaker. John used his spear to strike where he could but more often than not his attacks would be a hindrance than an aid. Their first man fell quickly. A spark from the fur of the cat jumped to the sword of the causing a spasm to go through their body and a razor sharp claw cut through his wrist, severing the hand and leaving a bloodied stump being.

The gnome, in their agony flailed their stump, spraying those around him with his blood. They blanched at the site and the shock was enough that they were too late stop the jaws that clamped around their neck. The screams quickly died away. The other guards recovered enough to use its distraction to plunge their spears into the panthers body, ending it's life.

John inspected the body and found that these monsters were called thundercats. He was barely able to shake his head at the name when another cat took a leap over their entire group, attacking John and the mage. John switched to his sword and began batting away the claws. 

The mage sent a spike of ice into it, piercing it's side and giving John the opporunity to strike. He plunged his sword into it's chest, killing it but stiffened at the smell of ozone. A jolt of electricity ran through his body, causing him to spasm and unable to let go of the sword he continued to be electrocuted.

His health dropped rapidly and he lost concentration. He grew rapidly in size, his features melting away as his shift failed him. He continued to spasm and smoke rose from him for several seconds, his health dropping to single digits when it abruptly ended. Dropping to his knees he continued to shake and keeled over onto his side before blacking out.