Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1114  Back to the Roots

One of the strongest saints in Vantrea, a figure of immense power and respect, found himself nearly overwhelmed with a mix of terror and bewilderment upon hearing Kahnʼs elaborate plan.

The sheer intricacy and the ruthless brilliance of the strategy painted Kahn in a new light... one that was far from the conventional image of a hero.

To the saint, Kahn seemed more like a diabolical mastermind than a savior.

It wasnʼt that the saint couldnʼt devise a similar plan if he exerted all his mental faculties; he was well aware that such a scheme was within the realm of possibility.

However, the implications of executing such an approach were daunting. The saint understood that implementing a plan of this magnitude would inevitably lead to an escalation beyond anyoneʼs control, causing ripples that could potentially reshape the entire political and social landscape of the Abyss Empire.

Yet, here was Kahn, the one he had sworn to support solely to advance his own goals, presenting strategies that not only matched but exceeded his imagination.

The saint couldnʼt help but feel a sense of unease, recognizing that Kahnʼs mind operated on a level of cunning and foresight that he hadnʼt anticipated.

”To come up with such a thing… well, if it works as intended even in the early stages, weʼd have the entire empire in our grasp,” the revenant sovereign mused, his voice laced with both admiration and a hint of fear.

”To think youʼd use the system to destroy itself… thatʼs indeed very cunning.

A very unheroic move, but undeniably effective.”

Kahn responded with a calm, calculated tone, reflecting his confidence in the plan.

”Itʼs precisely because of the current structure that I can make it work. If it were a simple monarchy, technocracy, or democratic republic, most of these plans would fail.

But the instability of the equilibrium between the three factions is what we can exploit for long-term gain.” said Kahn with a sardonic smile.

”We must begin as soon as possible. When the time is right, we will finally reveal the Abyss Empire to the outside world.”

As Kahn uttered these final words, both Argos and Lucian, who had been listening intently, stopped in their tracks.

The gravity of Kahnʼs statement hit them hard, the weight of the impending revelation and its potential consequences settling heavily on their shoulders.

The high priestess, Morrigan Morningstar was no exception to this sudden shift in expressions.

”About that… we have few things that we need to do first.” spoke the succubus priestess.

”Like what?” asked Kahn, slightly curious.

”I assume you know the function of the Divine Keys, right?” asked Morrigan.

Kahnʼs ears perked as soon as he heard her question.

”Yes, Iʼm told that itʼs what connects me to my divine weapon itself.

But I have no idea of how to awaken it or where the weapon is. Since youʼre the official followers of God of Darkness, you must have the means to do it, right?” said and queried Kahn.

”That we do. However… thereʼs a big problem.” responded Morrigan and her expression turned dejected.

”To do so… we need to venture to a very dangerous place.” she revealed.

Now, it was the vampire king who spoke in a calm but hesitant tone…

”I planned to take you there the very day I found you. But meeting the 6th Hero of Space and forging an alliance with the Empire of Space could not be delayed, so I had no choice but to postpone my plans.

The thing with the awakening procedure is… that it cannot be done here.” he expressed with a tone filled with concern.

”Why? Itʼs the Abyss Empire, isnʼt it?” asked Kahn, his eyes filled with skepticism.

”It is. But there is only one place where the actual Awakening of the Divine Key can be performed.

And as the High Priestess of the Cult of Darkborne… I can do it myself. However, the problem isnʼt the procedure… but where we have to go to do it.” she spoke with an exasperated tone, as if losing her will to do it.

”And that place is somewhere even I have no confidence in returning alive from. It doesnʼt matter if Iʼm a 9th-stage saint or you are a chosen Hero with divine abilities.

Back when I found your traces in the Vulcan Empire after your fight with the Hero of Fire; I met Emperor Havi Hos Siegfreed.

He chose to become our ally and I told him that once I find you... Iʼll take you to that place.

Even the Fireborne Emperor told me that we wonʼt have much chance to survive there.”

The only people who can go there now and hope to return alive are… Demi-Gods.” revealed the Revenant Sovereign with incredulous expression.

”Oh, donʼt tell me itʼs that place.” said Kahn as he could get a hint from their words.

”Seriously, it had to be that place, huh…” even Vildred, the Lightning Dragon Emperor was concerned.

[It was good knowing you, kid. Please let me take over someone elseʼs soul before you go there to die.] said Rathnaar.

”Master… what are they talking about?” asked Omega, confused after seeing these different reactions.

Sigh!

”Itʼs a place you and I are very familiar with. Itʼs your birthplace to be exact.” responded Kahn as his shoulders slouched.

”Which place is that? I donʼt have many memories until I evolved into a Lycan.” said Omega, still clueless.

”The place where the strongest monsters in the entirety of Vantrea reside… the place where no Empire dared to venture.

Some call it the Eternal Land of Desolation, while others call it the gathering place of the Godbeasts.

Itʼs the place of my beginning in Vantrea as Hero of Darkness...

The Abyss Forest.” revealed Kahn.

In just a few moments, even Omega joined them and grabbed his head in denial.

”Weʼre fucked.” said Kahn.

”Royally.” said Vildred.

”Exclusively.” said Argos.

[And from sideways.] said Rathnaar.

 ******************

After a dozen minutes of contemplation… they started gathering their thoughts.

”And why do we have to go to that particular place again? Why canʼt it be done here instead?” asked Kahn to Morrigan.

”Because the Grand Cathedral you saw before is just a replica of the original. The main alter that allows the process needs to be the one containing a shard of eminence granted by our holy God of Darkness himself.

All the other empires have similar alters where they awakened their respective hero/heroineʼs divine keys.

But the Abyss Empire was sealed here under dire circumstances. Also, even if the original grand cathedral was brought here somehow, due to its severed connection to Vantrea, it would not have worked.

Since itʼs a one-time connection, our ancestors couldnʼt bring it here in hopes that once we go back to the original world, it would work again.

Thus, it was left there, hidden from the rest of the empires in hopes that once a new hero came, we could have a chance to awaken the divine key.” explained Morrigan in detail.

”Hmm… all that risk just to awaken the divine key, and for what?... So I could use the Divine Weapon that I have no idea where it is?” spoke Kahn, snarling in exasperation.

It was right then…

”I have it.” said Argos.

”What?!” asked Kahn and turned his head around in surprise.

”Yes, Iʼve been safekeeping it as well. But I canʼt even bring it to the Abyss Empire.

Iʼve guarded it in the Belmont Kingdom so far. And if you go near it without your divine key still unawakened...

It will kill you.” revealed the vampire king in a somber voice.

”And why is that?

I already have Amaterasu, the divine weapon of the Hero of Fire. It hasnʼt shown any hostility to me.” said Kahn.

”Thatʼs because the Hero of Fireʼs divine key was already awakened when you fought and killed him.

Even Amaterasu would have killed him if he dared approach it without having his divine key awakened first.” explained Argos.

[He is correct, my contractor. It is a rule established long ago.

Because if thereʼs no awakening, someone can take advantage of just killing the summoned Hero or Heroine and use their divine key to control us.

Consider it as a safety measure.] said Amaterasu, who usually kept quiet even when Kahn was fighting a battle to the death.

”I see. So how long could it take if we depart as soon as we can?” queried Kahn.

”If it was just me alone, and you were below a 5th-stage saint rank… maybe a year.

But given our current entourage… one month should suffice.” said the vampire king.

”And what of the path?” asked Kahn.

”There are three paths we can take.

One is through the Empire of Sentience. The other is through the Dragon Empire.

As for the last one… I think you already know.” spoke the revenant sovereign.

Kahn was stunned as soon as he heard the possible routes.

”Empire of Sentience isnʼt a hidden ally like the Empire of Space or the Empire of Fire.

And we are currently too weak to punch our way through the Dragon Empire.” said Kahn as he looked at Vildred.

The Sage of Preservation, his master, nodded and spoke…

”You do not need to worry about our pact. Because we both are currently too weak to do anything there even with a Sovereign on our side.

Although I can guide our way through… the risk is simply too much.” spoke the lightning dragon emperor.

”Although I can request a passage from the Elder Dragon, Baltaraaz… it would take us years to just get a reply.” said Argos.

”Then it leaves us no other choice.” said Omega.

Shock!

It was right then, Kahn remembered something the Future Kahn aka the Martial Emperor had him promise.

A visible smile appeared on Kahnʼs face as he spoke in a confident tone.

”Itʼs all coming back to where it all began.

Omega, old man Rathnaar… looks like weʼre going back home.” spoke Kahn with a determined countenance.

”Weʼre going to the Rakos Empire.”