Hero of Darkness-Novel

In an alternate reality, a horrifying and macabre landscape materialized as a new realm unfolded.

Within this realm, a gut-wrenching and terrifying environment filled with death and misery, accompanied by the deafening screams of millions of tortured beings, manifested itself. The agonizing screams of dread and indescribable pain echoed through the air, permeating the atmosphere with an oppressive aura of despair.

As far as the eye could see, the realm was littered with the corpses of countless species that Kahn had never even seen in Vantrea. 

A vast expanse of mountains and rivers of blood stretched for hundreds of kilometers, forming a gruesome and chilling scene.

Among the corpses lay the remains of titans from a bygone era, elder dragons of legend, and even the chained, yet radiant skeletons of archangels with six wings. 

Some of the corpses were so massive that they dwarfed the tallest mountains in Vantrea, like the bones of the primordial monster known as Simurgh that had crumbled and lay discarded in a corner of the realm.

At the other end of the realm, the rotting corpses of Godbeasts and Variant monsters towered several kilometers high, even in their sleeping positions, adding to the eerie and unsettling landscape.

The rivers of black blood snaked their way through the realm, staining the ground with a sickly shade of red. Charred bodies were strewn everywhere, adding to the macabre and oppressive atmosphere that enveloped the surroundings in shades of black and red.

At the summit of the largest mountain, a massive black platform hung suspended in mid-air, stretching for dozens of kilometers as if it belonged to the overseer of this realm. 

Two imposing arches made of the skulls and bones of godbeasts and primordial beings rose up on either side of the platform, serving as a grim reminder of the immense power which belonged to the being that ruled over this domain.

Standing before the platform was a colossal humanoid figure, shrouded in a scaly and metallic armor that gleamed with a lustrous golden sheen. The figure's helmet resembled that of a lion, complete with a majestic mane, but despite the armor's intimidating appearance, no one could discern the true identity or species of the being beneath it, save for the piercing glow of its white eyes.

In the figure's left hand, a blood-red weapon pulsed with a life of its own, flowing with fresh blood as it constantly reshaped itself into different forms. At times, it took on the shape of a spear, then a giantsword, a battleaxe, or even a scythe, yet it never seemed to settle on a final or definitive form.

The entity then sat at the end of the platform, seemingly engrossed in observing a particular ongoing battle within Vantrea, displayed on a panel-like screen made of blood. Its gaze was fixed on the display, as if intently studying the unfolding events with a keen interest.

Crackle!

Crackle!

The entire realm shook as a black and red void tore open the fabric of space and time, splitting the very air with a deafening roar.

From within this crack in reality, emerged another entity, draped in black and spikey armor that bristled with ominous power. Its back bore two massive blades, each imbued with primordial fire that crackled with raw energy. Each blade was five kilometers in length, and the being exuded a dark red aura that could flatten hundreds of kilometers in mere seconds.

"Have you come to fight again, War Deity?" spoke the golden armored being, its voice booming across the realm.

"Why are you under the impression that I'm here to fight? Can't I come to visit an acquaintance?" responded the being clad in black armor, its voice tinged with a hint of amusement as its burning red eyes shone from beneath the helmet.

This being clad in black armor, with burning red eyes and a dark red aura that exuded an overwhelming sense of power, was none other than the current War Deity, Kravel.

"Acquaintance? Who's your acquaintance? The only time we met was 5 thousand years ago when you challenged me. 

Are you here to gloat about your title as the strongest deity?" replied the golden-armored being in a despondent and irritated tone.

"Don't be like that, Mors. I only won by an inch in our last duel 5 thousand years ago. Yet everyone says I'm much stronger than you, just because I managed to score a single victory. 

It's not like I'm telling other deities to herald me as the strongest." Kravel responded in a carefree tone, attempting to quell Mors's dissatisfaction at his unwelcome intrusion.

The owner of this realm was none other than Mors, the Deity of Slaughter.

The inhabitants of Vantrea were unaware of the events unfolding in the world of deities and gods, including the power struggle between Kravel and Mors. 

Currently, Mors was ranked as the second strongest deity, with Kravel holding the top spot. However, before their last duel 5 thousand years ago, Mors held the number one position.

"What's your perspective on the current situation? The world might end in a few decades." inquired Kravel, seeking the viewpoint of the deity he considered to be his equal.

"I do not care. And don't think that I don't know why you're here. 

I never pledged loyalty to any god, even before I became a deity 20 million years ago, and nor do I wish to do so now." replied Mors with a lifeless and uninterested tone, dismissing any notion of allegiance or cooperation with Kravel.

"Even Jotnar, who used to be the strongest before you and I emerged, serves a god despite being one of the first five living beings of our world. 

Even in death, his corpse gave birth to primordial titans, and yet he now bows before the God of Nature." Mors revealed casually, highlighting the surprising choices made by powerful beings.

"In my case, it would have been natural for me to pledge allegiance to the God of Darkness, considering my law of existence revolves around death." Mors continued. 

"But given the current state of affairs with the Demon God, I'm glad I held off. 

Otherwise, I too would have been entangled in this war." he confessed, a sudden sense of relief evident in his tone.

To his carefree response, the War Deity replied somberly…

"You will cease to exist just like the others because as long as the concept of killing someone or Slaughtering others out of selfish goals or rage exists… You will stay a Deity. 

But if all life is eradicated, your establishment of the Law of Existence will vanish as well." 

Despite the alarming words of the War Deity, Mors remained unfazed and responded calmly.

"Kravel, you and I are not the same. 

Unlike you and the others, I never aspired to become a Deity. World domination or being the strongest being in the world was never my goal."

Mors' voice grew heavy as he reminisced about the past. 

"All I wanted was to kill the next strongest thing I encountered. I continued to slaughter and kill living beings until, through sheer luck, I met the conditions to become a Deity. 

And one day, I realized that I had already become the strongest being in the world."

Despite his immense power, Mors' voice was tinged with helplessness as he spoke. 

"If our world had not denied me death and forcibly turned me into a Deity, I would have ended my life with my own hands."

"Why?" asked Kravel, his words displaying the curiosity in his voice.

"There was no longer a reason for me to live once I had become the strongest being in the world." Mors confessed, his voice filled with a profound sense of loss. 

"In my relentless pursuit of slaughter, I realized that the only way to quench my insatiable thirst was to kill the most powerful being of all... myself."

"Hmph! It seems like you're mocking not only the other deities but also me." Kravel scoffed in response to Mors' words.

"Moreover…" Kravel continued, his tone growing stern. 

"Do you think there was another choice?

Your actions caused a tremendous imbalance in the delicate fabric of life."

Even I'm responsible for only a few billion lives my enemies when I was on my way to world domination." he said, expressing his displeasure. 

"Everyone is afraid of Demon God now." he said, his tone heavy with a sense of resignation. 

"But there was a time when even the gods themselves were wary of you. After all…"

Kravel's words carried a sense of burden as he delved into a long-forgotten historical event from the past.

"You once nearly ended all life in the world."