Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1264: Hero Reborn

Morrigan Morningstar extended her hand towards Kahn and asked with a regal tone…

“Are you ready to be reborn?”

Her voice echoed in the massive hall as the massive basin, filled with fresh blood from the hundreds of sacrifices, started glowing.

The divine cadre raised their chanting as the people of the Abyss Empire also witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon with their eyes.

While Kahn still had qualms about it… he understood that he had a role to play in front of every member of the Cult of Darkborne.

And if he wanted everyone to treat his word as diamond absolutes… he had to uphold their customs to a t.

Step!

Blub!

Kahn stepped inside the pool that was at least 3 feet deep, walking slowly as he felt the warmth of the fresh blood on his skin.

Tap!

Tap!

The dripping blood from the necks of the devotees hanging by the ceiling spread all over his body as he reached the centre.

Shing!

Shing!

The black runes drawn on his body suddenly started glowing with a golden hue, and Kahn turned his head around.

The broadcasting artifacts focused on his ripped muscles and muscular frame as the entire Abyss Empire watched with bated breath.

Among the Chapter Masters, Tyverax spoke with great zeal…

“That body has been hard-trained. Our Cult Leader did not achieve his strength just because he is a chosen hero.

I can feel years of hard work, discipline, and mastery of combat from his frame alone.” said the biggest chapter master.

“I agree. He must have spent countless hours to become an incomparable warrior so that he could lead us with unparalleled might.” said another one of the chapter masters.

Meanwhile, within the ritual site… the high priestess started another ancient chant that echoed in the chambers.

“Deus Tenebris Amor Fati. Mors Aeterna Est.

Victorus Aut Mortis.”

As soon as Morrigan made the chant, the entire Abyss Empire, regardless of where they kneeled, also joined in the chant and shouted zealously.

“Mors Aeterna Est!”

“Mors Aeterna Est!”

The collective chant echoed throughout the empire, and people finally stood and raised their hands.

“Victorus Aut Mortis!”

“Victorus Aut Mortis!” shouted the Doom Templars, their Chapter Masters, and even the Magus Secundus.

“We are blessed to have such a capable cult leader. The Abyss Empire shall prosper and reclaim its rightful place once again.” said Calavanius.

[Watching our new lord… rekindles that memory. It’s just like those times when I was but a young and hopeful man.]

Calavanius, the Leader of Magus Secundus, was also one of the survivors of the massacre by the other empires 300 years ago.

By that time, he was but a fresh recruit and had also witnessed the Blood Baptism when Morpheus Constantine became the Cult Leader of the Darkborne.

Now, most of his body parts were replaced with machines. The sensation of being a human was now a foreign concept to his body.

But looking at Kahn’s reliable figure and his already showcased strength… he was far more elated than everyone else.

To Calavanius, it felt like the rebirth of the entire Abyss Empire. And when they emerge in the real world once again… they would be a force that would strike fear in the hearts of their enemies.

As for Kahn… To Calavanius; he was a leader worth dying for.

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

As the chanting finally ended… the statue at the end of the chambers also activated and formed a dark purple halo.

Soon, people witnessed the souls of the deceased, made of glowing bluish hue, being pulled out of the hanging corpses and being sucked into the sigil.

They were now in the embrace of the God of Darkness, and their souls would enter the cycle of reincarnation… a fate all of worshippers envied.

“Are you ready to bear the great responsibility?” asked Morrigan as she held Kahn’s right arm and shoulder.

“I am,” responded Kahn with a resolute tone.

“Do you promise to spend your life in the service of the God of Darkness and the Cult of Darkbrone?” asked the priestess.

“I do,” responded Kahn with a stoic voice.

“Do you wish to bring prosperity to the Abyss Empire and lead it towards a better future?” asked Morrigan.

“I do.” said Kahn as his words echoed throughout the Empire.

These questions were the same as he answered during the coronation. But now, Kahn was neither faking his resolve nor he pretended to just be the cult leader for the sake of it.

He was in charge of billions of lives and a revival of a lost empire.

Meanwhile, the three princes, as well as the president of the senate, had an incredulous countenance after hearing the last line.

Because it contained the word ‘lead’. As if they were outright declaring that Kahn was now the sole ruler of the Abyss Empire.

The Hero of Darkness being declared as the Supreme Leader was a role that was supposed to stay only until the Great War was finished.

Given how long their lives were, they wouldn’t mind conceding the temporary control. But to have him lead the whole empire as its sole sovereign did not sit right with them.

However, they all had to control their fury at the moment since they couldn’t afford to reveal their true intentions to the whole empire right after they agreed their allegiance, merely a couple of hours ago.

So all they could do at the moment was grit their teeth in rage.

In the main chamber, a sudden phenomenon took place.

“Please accept the devotion and sacrifice of the followers of the Darkbornes.” spoke Morrigan and slowly dipped Kahn inside the pool of blood.

She then quickly got out, and as everyone watched, the pool of blood started trembling.

Blub!

Blub!

All the blood suddenly started heating up, and visible steam arose from it as if it were being heated from the inside.

And the cause behind it was none other than the golden glowing runes on Kahn’s body.

As if a being from the depths of hell was being summoned, the blood started rising erratically, and the aura of death reached its peak in seconds.

But soon, all of it quieted down as the volume of blood started decreasing at a visible rate.

And in just another minute, Kahn’s face was revealed as everyone saw what was actually happening.

The hundreds of falls of blood in the massive basin were being absorbed… by Kahn.

More accurately, the golden runes were absorbing it inside Kahn’s body as the blood itself carried an unknown force.

Finally, all the blood was soaked by Kahn’s body, and not even a single drop remained in the basin.

Kahn also opened his eyes and couldn’t believe what happened.

[Ding!]

Out of nowhere, the system notified Kahn in his mind.

Before the latter could react, it rang another alert and revealed a new achievement…

[The Authority of the Cult Leader of the Darkborne has been unlocked!]