Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1249: Accepting the Mission

Finally, the God of Darkness revealed the true reason behind why he was lurking in a different world and had to even hasten the coming of the most dangerous towers in planets like Volos.

His declaration about looking for someone to fight in his name and taking the mantle of the Hero of Darkness was at last revealed to Morpheus.

“Before I tell you more about it… Let me check something first.” spoke the God and pointed his finger at Morpheus.

An ancient golden rune appeared over Morpheus’ forehead, and soon, the God of Darkness also lost all the brightness in his gigantic red eyes.

God of Darkness was reading Morpheus’ memories and peeked inside what kind of life he had lived so far.

“Aha! Finally, someone with a realistic and cynical mind. I was fed up with idealists who wanted to reshape the world with their perception of reality.

People like that can’t make the sacrifices for the greater good solely because they adhere to their own sense of justice and morality.” he spoke with a pleased tone.

“You intrigue me now, Morpheus. While you’re not the strongest or the best candidate I can possibly find if I waited enough… You have a mindset of a sword that is not swayed by the futile morality of its wielder.” spoke the God as he shifted the hostile tone to a friendly one.

“I do not require a ‘Hero’ anymore. I require someone who will do what it takes. Even if it means sacrificing their own lives and everything they hold dear.” he iterated in a majestic and authoritative voice.

“What do you mean?” asked Morpheus.

“You will understand once I show you another truth about what lies beyond your universe.” said God of Darkness, and soon, he projected the entire Multiverse and different timelines of these worlds.

“Look at this one. This is the future where you rejected my offer and returned to your real world after clearing the tower.” he spoke, and a projection of a battle appeared in front of Morpheus.

******************

In this reality, there was nothing but destruction and millions of bodies spread over the city, as there was a whole planetary-scale invasion.

In the sky, there was a dimensional crack, and beyond it was a massive demonic eye that looked down on the whole city, spanning for dozens of kilometers, while the monster army had attacked from both the sky and the ground.

It was right then…

SLASH!!

A powerful slash made of a transcendental power swept through the sky and wiped out most of the flying monsters in a single sweep, dicing their bodies despite being a single directional attack.

Soon, millions of greatswords appeared in the sky and attacked all the monsters that were terrorizing the city below.

Not only did the greatswords target them precisely, but as soon as they stabbed through the monsters, they instantly exploded.

In the distance, a man floated in the sky, who turned out to be the source of these greatswords and the first slash attack.

ROAARRRR!!!

An ear-deafening roar echoed in the surroundings as the dimensional crack showcased the anger in the massive, monstrous eye, fixated on none other than the man.

Clad in black and violet armor, while holding an obsidian greatsword… was an elderly man who seemed to be in his 80s but stood tall and firm.

All of his long hair and beard had turned white, but the unyielding attitude was visible in his eyes.

This old man who stood at the pinnacle of strength in this world… was Morpheus.

However, there was no sense of victory in his eyes as there were barely any people left alive to protect.

“What’s the point of becoming the strongest person in the world if I can’t even protect what’s precious to me?

My family, and all the allies we had over the past 50 years… they’re all dead.” he spoke with a regretful tone.

“My country is burning. Humanity is on the brink of extinction, and there’s no hope left behind for our future.

Volos’ power has ceased to exist. There can be no new Awakeners, and even I, the only EX-Rank left in the world, can’t even kill these fucking Outer Gods.” he spoke with a grim but destitute tone.

This Morpheus was completely different from the present one, who was focused but a selfish lonewolf. The old man clearly had lived through far too many battles and found reasons to live and fight rather than just seeking strength.

“Looks like I’m paying for my mistakes back then. Could I have been able to prevent all of this had I accepted his offer in the tower all those decades ago?” asked the old man to himself.

At this moment, his expression was that of a man who had already accepted defeat.

“If only… if only I could go back in time and make a different choice back then. My world would not have to disappear and fall victim to these Outer Gods.

There is no redemption left for this world, and neither for myself.” spoke the old Morpheus as he gripped the hilt of his sword.

STAB!!

As the demonic eye from the sky watched… Morpheus plunged his own sword into his stomach and committed suicide.

As his body was falling… he spoke to himself as tears welled up in his eyes.

“If only I had another chance…”

******************

God of Darkness then showed Morpheus even more timelines and different worlds where Morpheus existed. In some of them, he became the strongest existence on planets, and in a few, he even defeated Outer Gods.

But there was not a single one where he could completely end the war, even among the timelines where he became a regressor and prepared for the war decades ago.

The only finite ending that was revealed to him was… that there was no real victory.

“The choice is yours now. You can choose to stay behind and fight, or accept my proposal and end the entire war itself.

You succeed in the mission I need you for, and you will not only save your world but all of them that exist in different realities and timelines.” announced God of Darkness.

There was no hint of deception in his voice.

“I will end this unending cycle for you, but you must give me a good reason to do it.

Because destroying all these Outer Gods would come with consequences of their own in all those universes. It will require far more intervention to balance everything on my own.

So I do not intend to do it for free or out of generosity.” he stated the reality as it stood to Morpheus.

After taking some time to consider all his options, as he had witnessed the future of the world itself…

Morpheus finally made his decision…

“Tell me what you need me to do. I will fight for you. I will…” spoke Morpheus with a resolute and stern voice.

“Become the 8th Hero of Darkness.”

******************

BLIP!!

Back in Vantrea… Kahn was expelled from Morpheus’ body as the latter remained seated on his throne.

Kahn was now back in the real Abyss Empire within the sealed realm.

However, his expression was both sullen and indignant.

Kahn was shaken; it was as if he had lived through that entire life. He felt all the pain, the mystery, the conviction, but also the helplessness against the world.

Kahn had become Morpheus for that entire time being.

“I apologize. It was the only way for me to let you see what kind of man I was.

It was important for you to understand why I would go to such great lengths and do what I did 300 years ago.” spoke Morpheus.

Kahn, with a disgruntled tone, asked…

“Do I need to relive those memories too?”

To his query, Morpheus shook his head and spoke softly.

“No, I can just tell you as they were because it is now irrelevant to what is about to happen.

So listen closely. Listen to the reason for which…” spoke Morpheus as his face turned serious…

“I betrayed the world.”