Hero of Darkness

As the future Kahn started recounting the actions of the original timeline and the impact they had on his life, the atmosphere inside the inner world turned serious.

"I did not even participate in the Emperor's Chosen competition and acted like a pawn of the noble clans until I became strong enough to show my skills.

Hell, I was sent by the Nabi Clan instead of the Vandereich Clan in the Forbidden Zone to retrieve the Tablet of Arcana." he shed light on the events of the original life Kahn lived.

"After Rathnaar told me what was about to happen to me, I fled the Rakos Empire.

Unlike you, who became a 1st-stage saint in just 2 years… it took me 5 years to reach that rank because of my hesitation and cowardice.

I was always severely lacking in resources despite doing my best, all because I did not take your approach of making it big or risking getting on the radar of powerful people of the Rakos Empire." he spoke with great regret.

"I lived with the same mindset we had as Elric rather than changing myself for the better. Taking risks and venturing into the unknown… I was simply too afraid to do that." he stated with a regretful voice.

"Unlike you… I did not enter the Immortal Dungeon in the Elven Empire or undergo the Trial of Mind on the final floor where you met master Vildred.

I did not live through those memories of the past when we were bullied and did not accept that life.

Unlike you… I was never able to accept the misfortune of my old life and move on from my trauma." explained future Kahn, almost stopping in his words due to the heaviness he felt in his heart and mind.

The atmosphere turned dead silent for a while as both Kahns turned mute.

One was contemplating the consequences of his choices and inaction and being unable to accept his past life and finally move on like the new version of himself.

The other one also understood how different the future him was based on the kind of life he lived because of his own indecisiveness.

If current Kahn had not made bold moves that often risked his life, maybe his fate would be no different than the future Kahn.

"Because of the decisions I ran away from, I ended up not becoming close to anyone in the early years. I didn't have anyone to protect, I did not have anyone I could call a friend… I didn't have any responsibilities as a leader and I never opened up to anyone.

Using the excuse that the world was my enemy because of my identity as Hero of Darkness, I created a small shell around me that protected me from the reality that I was simply looking for an easy way out.

It took me meeting someone like Maximus, whose pain was many times greater than myself to even acknowledge the fact that I was just a coward by saying that I shouldn't trust anyone.

That I can't rely on anyone or I can do it all alone." said future Kahn with an incongruous countenance. "But in reality, that was just me projecting my insecurities and hesitation on the outside world that actually had so much to offer and provide me with millions of possibilities and opportunities." revealed future Kahn with a tone full of sorrow.

He then looked at current Kahn intently and spoke in a tone full of wisdom.

"Remember this… You don't have to do it all alone.

You don't need to have all the answers and you don't need to be perfect.

Don't be a narcissistic fool like me who thought relying on others, trusting and depending on them is a sign of weakness.

Sometimes, things like love and heartbreak, trust and betrayal, strength and weakness are also necessary to forge your character.

A great amount of fortitude and wisdom can also be achieved through your relationships with other people in the world.

There is nothing glorious or rewarding about being a Lonewolf or reaching the Pinnacle of Strength in the world." declared future Kahn as a form of retrospective self-inspection.

"Because in the end… Time is unforgiving to everyone and you will only end up with a pathetic death with no one to remember you. No one is affected by your legacy and no one will have fond memories of you if you walk the path of solace dictated by the past life's experiences like I have.

Even at my peak of strength and being crowned as the Martial Emperor, after being worshipped, respected, and feared by billions of living beings in the world…

I did not have a single person who loved me or deeply cared for me.

I was surrounded by thousands of people…" spoke future Kahn in a heavy and self-reflecting tone.

"Yet I was Lonely." he declared with a heavy voice.

"Just remember that it's okay to have few people in your life whom you want to protect, feel responsible for, and also rely upon.

Do not make the same mistakes I did." spoke future Kahn as imparted his own life lesson to current Kahn.

Kahn on the other side, understood the words and the gravity of the situation.

It seemed that to the original Kahn from the original timeline, the alternate future he lived in, wasn't so kind to him.

It took the future him to come back in time, set things in motion, and reroute his path through the Divine Abilities, Blessings, and knowledge of the future to change his fate for the better.

In the new timeline… Having his subordinates like Omega, Rudra, Jugram, Blackwall, Ronin, Ceril, Oliver and Armin allowed him to get beyond the Lonewolf stage.

Meeting people like Albestros, Kassandra, Rathnaar, Venessa, Throk, Vildred, and Romulus was the outcome caused due to ripples in the timeline based on his different decisions in the new timeline which changed the course of his fate in this new life. But at the end of the day, both the future Kahn and the current Kahn were the same person…

With different lives.