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Shadow Slave

Paths of Ascension

Spoilers ahead: this article covers the full story.

Article contents
  1. About the Path
  2. Blessing and Cursed
  3. Ancient and Nightmare Spell Paths
  4. Awakening
  5. Ascension
  6. Transcendence (Ancient Path)
  7. Path to Supremacy (Natural Supremacy)
  8. Prerequisites
  9. Transformation
  10. Learning to Control Essence
  11. Essence Refinement (Ancient Path)
  12. Soul Core Formation (Ancient Path)
  13. Trivia
  14. References
  15. Site Navigation

Note: This article is about Human progression. Noble Creatures have a different path.

The Path of Ascension was the road to divinity and each step brought those treading it closer to godhood.[1]

About the Path

“ Humanity can only survive if new gods are born from it. ”

― Sunny to Kai,
Chapter 2313 Pawns of Ash

The Path of Ascension is described as a journey that Awakened individuals undertake in their pursuit of greater power, ultimately leading to Apotheosis and, beyond that, Godhood. Apotheosis is merely a stepping stone—not the end goal. The ultimate aim of the Path is to conquer the Sixth Nightmare, referred to as the final Nightmare, and in doing so, become Divine. This transformation is not just a personal triumph but a necessity for the survival of humanity itself.[2]

While mortals can afford to follow the Path of Ascension blindly, those who dare to become gods must rise to a higher challenge: they must be willing to look upon the gods as equals, rather than remain their puppets. This includes questioning the will of the gods, especially that of Weaver, the enigmatic entity believed to be the architect behind the Nightmare Spell and the cursed Lineage. Anyone walking the Path must also be able to endure the weight of the answers they uncover.[2]

Blessing and Cursed

The Path is intricately tied to the concepts of blessing and curse. The description of [Fated] Attribute had said that there were those who were blessed, and there were those who were cursed - however, rarely was there someone who was both blessed and cursed. But actually, every Awakened was both blessed and cursed, existing in a state of fateful balance. Even the Flaws they carry—though considered curses—are also what drive them to grow. This paradox lies at the heart of the Path of Ascension, where suffering and struggle are not just obstacles, but essential components of transformation.[2]

Ancient and Nightmare Spell Paths

Awakening

Main article: Awakened (Human Rank)

Ancient humans Awakened in the reverse order compared to modern humans, who formed their soul core after the First Nightmare and gained the ability to control essence after surviving the first journey to the Dream Realm.[3]

Ancient Path Nightmare Spell

The first step is to Awaken and to Awaken one must gain control over their soul essence and use it to form the soul core. While some powerful creatures have their soul cores already formed, most are born Dormant, like humans. Learning how to control essence is the hardest part, but with knowledge, success is almost guaranteed.[3]

After passing the trial of First Nightmare, one receives the ability to perceive and interact with Soul Core, as well as a unique Aspect and Flaw. They have not yet established a connection with the Dream Realm but are destined to be transported there on the day of the winter solstice.[4] Once a Sleeper (Dormant Human) returns from the Dream Realm for the first time, they became Awakened. Their Soul Core evolves to the next Rank and their Aspect gains a second Aspect Ability. They also become capable of perceiving and interacting with Soul Essence.[4][5]

Ascension

Main article: Ascended

Ascension involves rising above one's mortal nature by improving the quality of both one's soul essence and body. This can be achieved naturally, by refining the essence or slaying powerful enemies. Once your essence reaches a qualitative change, the last step is to reform the soul core. The easier part of the process is learning how to access their Soul Sea and the hardest part requires a soul-refining technique. Many such methods were once known but are now lost. Nowadays, everyone simply relies on the Nightmare Spell.[6]

Ancient Path Nightmare Spell
Main article: Ascending


After the one's soul essence Awakens and can control it, the next step is to patiently work on forming the soul core to accumulate power.[7]

Ascension is a step of rising above one's mortal nature by improving the quality of their essence and body. This can be slow or fast, depending on how one refines themselves naturally or by absorbing the essence of stronger beings. Once the soul essence reaches a qualitative change, the soul core will reform and grow stronger. However, conscious refinement is necessary for this process.[7]

Some noble creatures possess multiple soul cores and walk the path of ascension more naturally.[7]

Weaver gave the mortals a gift that accelerates each step on the path of Ascension, including discovering one's Soul Sea.[7]

Transcendence (Ancient Path)

Main article: Transcendent

Transcendence is a profound transformation where a mortal assumes the first qualities of the divine. It involves transforming the soul essence and core, becoming more potent and voluminous. The Awakened must become one with the world and be recognized by it, their soul has to be expanded beyond the confines of the body and the world be it water, wind, shadow, light or something else.[7]

A Transcendent's connection to the world is not all-encompassing, but rather a connection to one or several aspects of it, such as water, wind, shadow, light or something else, and the key to achieving Transcendence is awakening their Aspect.[7]

The world responds to the Transcendent and even bends to their will. However, not all Awakened humans possess an Aspect, and as they rise on the path of Ascension, it becomes harder to move further without claiming their Aspect and Flaw. It is actually impossible to Transcend without them.[7]

An Aspect and Flaw is required to Transcend. One can't exist without the other. Imperfection is an absolute law, just like death, and humans are flawed as well. However, being flawed is the essence of life and growth, as it allows for constant struggle to grow and improve.[7]

Path to Supremacy (Natural Supremacy)

Main article: Supreme


Natural Supremacy demanded one to commit an act of supreme defiance.[8]

The secret to going further on the Path of Ascension was hidden in the changes that the soul of a living being underwent during Transcendence. A Saint's soul broke the limits of the mundane and expanded, becoming intertwined with the world. A Sovereign's soul had to claim authority over its part, which was the essence of Supremacy.[9]

The Supremes took another step toward Godhood and seemed tied to authority, similar to Nightmare Creatures' growth in Class, where Tyrants focused on rule and authority.[10] If Transcendence was the step of breaking away from the limits of the mundane. Supremacy was the act of asserting one's power over the world, thus establishing the foundation of their future apotheosis.[1]

The process of achieving Supremacy revolves around manifesting a Domain, which is unique to each Transcendent and tied to their Aspect. Central to this is the concept of an overwhelmingly powerful will—a will that is cold, sharp, uncompromising, and absolutely confident in its own rightfulness and existence. Doubt and indecisiveness are seen as the antithesis of such will, suggesting that belief in one's ability to reshape reality is foundational.[11] However, the nature of Supremacy is paradoxical, likened to a self-fulfilling prophecy where belief in one's will strengthens it, making its realization possible. This paradox mirrors the enigmatic existence of the Sovereigns themselves.[11]

Prerequisites

  • A Will and capability to wield it[12]
Supremes gain their power by defying something greater than themselves—be it a ruler, a natural law, or divine will. Authority and submission are opposites; thus, to gain ultimate authority, one must reject subjugation.[12]

A Supreme wields an incredibly strong Will, which is essential for imposing authority over the world. Mastery over one's Will is considered the hardest part of the journey.[12]
Before becoming Supreme, an individual often develops a nascent Domain, representing their growing influence over reality. This Domain is a manifestation of their authority and the precursor to full Supremacy.[12]
One must have a deep connection to their source element, which enhances their ability to manipulate and reshape the world around them.[12]
  • Acts of Supreme Defiance
Becoming Supreme requires a catalyst, an event or realization that fuses all prior attainments into true authority. This step is personal and unique to each individual.[12]

The final step to becoming Supreme involves an act of supreme defiance, which can take many forms:[13]
  • Slaying an immensely powerful foe (e.g., Azarax becoming the Plague of Steel after killing his Supreme father).[13]
  • Defying one's own nature to gain enlightenment.[13]
  • Using one's will to twist the laws governing their Realm to gain authority over it.[13]
  • Breaking the will of gods or defying absolute laws.[13]
Supremacy is intrinsically tied to defiance—challenging and overcoming established powers, even the will of gods or the fundamental laws of existence.[13]
Supremacy is more than just possessing immense power; it is about having a conviction so strong that the world is compelled to submit to it. Nephis thinks that the essence of Supremacy is not merely ruling through power but willing the world into submission through an act that proves the strength of one's conviction. This act functions as a ritual or sacrifice, though not necessarily in a formalized way—rather, any action leading to Supremacy inherently becomes a ritual.[14]

Transformation

This transformative process in which a being is reforged and reborn as a more perfect being before truly becoming Supreme. For most individuals, this transformation is neither immediate nor painless.[15]

Example

Cassie, for example, was still in the process of being transformed into that of a Supreme while enduring the aftermath of battle around her. The process required her to withstand immense strain as her body underwent a complete remaking. During this period, she had not yet been fully reborn and the ascension was incomplete and left her vulnerable until the transformation finished.[15]

The ascensions of Sunny and Nephis, whose transformations happened almost instantly. Their cases were described as unique because mortal flesh was merely a shell that contained their true essence. Sunny existed as a shadow who could take the form of a human, while Nephis was a being woven out of pure light and flame. Since their true natures already transcended ordinary flesh, becoming Supreme did not require the same prolonged reforging process. For others like Cassie, however, attaining supremacy involved enduring a gradual rebirth in which their original mortal form was remade into a more perfect being before they could truly become Supreme.[15]

Learning to Control Essence

The Path of Ascension led to greater control of soul essence.[16]

Ancient Humans Modern Humans

There is no single way to gain control over their soul essence, as it is a unique experience for many. Some spend years meditating and perfecting their souls, eventually entering a state of unity between mind and soul. Others attune themselves to the world and travel to different realms to gather insights about the nature of living things. Some follow warrior teachings and train their bodies, while others receive sudden epiphanies in a moment of dire crisis with no preparation.[3]

However, there is a path that anyone can walk, both the simplest and most dangerous, as well as vile. It is to kill those who have already Awakened and plunder their soul shards in order to absorb their soul essence. The Awakened essence can already be controlled and by mixing it with Dormant beings' essence can change it a little. Absorption of enough essence can cause one's essence to Awaken.[3]

In the Age of Heroes, the process was simpler, but as monsters decreased, humans and noble creatures began to kill each other.[3]

The Awakened of the waking world received the ability to sense their essence from the Spell and intuitive knowledge of controlling it, which took time and practice. Most received these gifts after Awakening, while those who skipped the process had to catch up after becoming a Master.[3]

Essence Refinement (Ancient Path)

There are methods and techniques for refining one's essence. The knowledge has been accumulated over countless generations and is taught to disciples over many years, but only a few succeed. Those who succeed must first find their way into their Soul Sea. Without the ability to enter the Soul Sea, it would take one many lifetimes to Ascend even with the best refinement technique.[7]

Soul Core Formation (Ancient Path)

One needs to control their soul essence by guiding it throughout the body, following the roadmap of major blood vessels. Through one's will to guide the essence in flowing slowly in a complicated cycle, increase the speed of the essence, making it rush like a mountain river and spinning inside their body like a raging whirlpool. The essence condenses under the pressure of its weight and the pull of the rotation. Making the essence circulate faster, eventually reaching a critical point where a soul core will be formed. A condensed mass of energy slowly formed in the place where their heart would have been, not solid yet but more like a shimmering liquid. At the very center of this mass, a tiny crystalline gemstone is slowly being born.[17]

Trivia

  • Without the guidance of the Nightmare Spell, one had to learn how to discover their Soul Sea.[7]
  • In the waking world, everyone assumed that being able to access the Soul Sea was a natural ability of all Awakened, including Sleepers, which turned out as another thing that the Spell had simplified for the humans.[7]
  • The world responds to a few people below the Transcendent Rank, such as Nephis, Jet, and Sunny.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 1683 Dark Deity
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chapter 2313 Pawns of Ash
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Chapter 1306 Paths of Ascension
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chapter 0 The Nightmare Spell
  5. ↑ Chapter 17 Three Simple Words
  6. ↑ Chapter 1715 There Are No Washing Machines in Ravenheart
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 Chapter 1307 Before the Nightmare Spell
  8. ↑ Chapter 2984 The Sword of Theseus
  9. ↑ Chapter 1678 Path to Supremacy
  10. ↑ Chapter 1074 Authority
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Chapter 2092 Fragments of War (29)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 Chapter 2126 Spirit of Reciprocity
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Chapter 2127 Act of Defiance
  14. ↑ Chapter 2136 Ritual
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Chapter 2987 The King is Dead
  16. ↑ Chapter 1618 Transcendent Battle Art
  17. ↑ Chapter 1716 Grain of Sand

Sources & history

Paths of Ascension · Shadow Slave Wiki

Source revision 42348

Adapted from Fandom. CC-BY-SA

Retrieved 2026-11-04 · Article version 1