Hero of Darkness

After the future Kahn, the Martial Emperor, revealed the reason he was ashamed to be associated with his original identity as Elric, mainly due to him not changing and nearly wasting his new life in the earlier years unlike the current Kahn, the latter understood how starkly different their lives were despite being the same person.

The future Kahn spoke like a defeated man…

"Even after coming to Vantrea, I did not change much from my old self as Elric.

I was a loner even here and did not rely on others. This made things difficult for me and instead of learning useful skills and crafts such as Blacksmithing, Artficing, Magic, and Combat Techniques… I struggled to survive like every normal inhabitant of Vantrea for the first 5 years even with my divine abilities.

Reading those mangas, novels and watching those animes and movies did not help me in the long term because you can't truly feel and experience everything by living a pseudo-life through your imagination.

And I was in the constant cycle of struggle, failure, and betrayal by plenty of people." "The first 10 years of my life were no different than hell even after I received support from that person as my backer.

So do not expect this life to be like the one of some novel where there is a guaranteed happy ending.

When you live through them by yourself, only then your real emotions and your personality will be revealed.

Your reaction to circumstances, your ability to adapt and overcome challenges is tested and your character as a person is revealed to yourself." he spoke somberly and gazed at current Kahn with eyes full of regrets.

"Rember this…" he spoke in a stoic voice…

"The true measure of a man isn't what he reveals to the world…

But what he hides from it." A sense of wisdom emanated from his words, something the current Kahn was unable to understand on his own.

"You have faced and overcome many difficulties and situations that I ran away from in the original timeline.

You have questioned your own morality and ethics from time to time based on the circumstances and the perspective they provided you.

Being pragmatic and rational in all situations, planning everything ahead sounds easy in stories only. But in the real world, it is the hardest thing to do since even small insects and rodents are swayed by their emotions and instincts, much less a human like me with a traumatic past and trust issues." he revealed somberly.

"Throughout my life, I killed many who were deserving.

But many more people died due to my inaction and cowardice." he spoke and then summoned an apparition of a woman in raven black battlemage clothes.

"Most importantly… I never met Kassandra Mikealson during my time in Rakos Empire."

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Future Kahn made another shocking revelation that confused current Kahn.

"How? Even if you didn't participate in the Emperor's chosen competition, you should have met her in the Forbidden Zone while retrieving the Tablet of Arcana and Rathnaar's soul…" spoke current Kahn with a befuddled countenance.

"Yes, that's how it should have happened. However…" replied future Kahn as his voice turned heavy.

"In the original timeline, I never met Kassandra and only heard her name.

She won the Emperor's chosen competition back then and became the Sovereign of Verlassen instead of you." he revealed. "She was a great leader and fought those Legendary Rank monsters that you and your subordinates killed in this timeline.

But before she even entered the Forbidden Zone… she lost her powers for some reason and didn't enter like me. The reason… I don't know even now.

And by the time I returned to Rakos Empire and became the Emperor… She had committed suicide many years ago." revealed future Kahn in a serious tone.

Gasp!

Kahn was shocked to his core after hearing this information. He could not grasp the fact that Kassandra did indeed commit suicide in the original timeline.

Maybe unlike this timeline, there was no one by her side after losing her powers and neither did someone try to stop her from that final step unlike Kahn did in the current timeline.

"What do you think might have happened?" asked Kahn with a serious expression.

"Could be anything. She might have lost her powers because of Caladrius monster like in this timeline.

Or maybe her clan and her parents forced her to offer herself to some noble of a powerful clan just like they in this timeline when they forced her to offer herself to you." responded future Kahn. "Listen… I want you to do right by her. Not only because you care for her…

But by saving her, you may as well have impacted this timeline even more, in a positive way that is." declared the Martial Emperor.

"What do you mean?" asked Kahn in a puzzled tone.

"There were originally only 3 people with the ancient rank Deity Summoner class in the whole world in this era.

One of them died at the hands of the Demon Emperor before the Great War even began.

Even in this timeline, he should have already been killed." said Future Kahn as he gazed at Kassandra's spectral apparition with a sense of resignation.

"And the second one was Kassandra who died 3 years ago. However… she is still alive in this timeline.

And the third remaining person with the Deity Summoner class…" spoke Martial Emperor as he made a grand revelation…

"Is one of the 4 Sovereigns."

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The future Kahn dropped another big revelation from the original timeline.

"That person is also among the 2 strongest Sovereigns of Vantrea.

Imagine how greatly Kassandra being alive would have affected the original timeline during the Great War?" he asked.

"In this one, you have transitioned her soul to that of a chosen hero even if you didn't mean it to happen.

And if she lives and becomes at least a 9th-stage saint in this timeline, she might become one of the strongest allies in the Great War." declared the Martial Emperor without any hesitation.

"So don't let her die no matter what. Don't make foolish and selfish decisions and go back to her as soon as you're done with the Conclave of Heroes and our 'benefactor', whom you will meet soon.

Also… from here on, you need to stop running away from the matter of Gods and your role as Hero of Darkness.

The sooner you get involved in this timeline, the better for your own good." he advised.

"Why? Aren't there people looking for my Divine Key since I have 2 divine keys as well as one Unawakned divine key from the 7th Hero of Nature?

The moment I reveal myself to the world, they will send that so-called 'mysterious group' to hunt me down.

And the last time I heard from the Emperor Havi of the Vulcan Empire and master Romulus… even an 8th-stage saint would die when fighting against them." spoke current Kahn and showed his concern.

"You are indeed correct. This was also the reason why I also hid myself in the original timeline even after the Conclave of Heroes.

I met our 'benefactor' more than 2 years later after it happened.

However…" spoke the Martial Emperor with a smug smile.

"Haven't you noticed it even now?" he asked the current Kahn in a confident tone.

"Noticed what?" asked Kahn, confusion visible on his face.

"That including you… there are 4 Apostles in your group alone. And if I'm not wrong… then Kravel must have convinced at least 2 or 3 more Deities to turn some of your subordinates into their Apostles at this point." he declared with an evil grin.

"WHAT?!! What the hell are you talking about?" asked Kahn, completely bewildered.

"Hey, do you think they sell the rights to become an Apostle in an auction house?

No, this is something I asked God of Darkness and Kravel to do after I planned for you to choose the Ability Absorption and Synthesis divine ability in the new timeline.

To find suitable Deities and get their blessings for your future powerful Subordinates based on their abilities, classes, and bloodlines." revealed the Martial Emperor.

Stunned!

Kahn was simply too stunned to even move a muscle or bat an eye.

But his shock didn't last long as the future Kahn decided to make another shocking revelation.

"Surprisingly, you even got acknowledged by Brokkr and Eitri. Those stubborn dwarves wouldn't even look at the Heroes normally no matter how talented they were unless someone chose the Progenitor of Blacksmithing divine ability." "On top of it… even Blackwall received their blessings and became their apostle with you.

A being with Primordial Titan bloodline given Blessings and Gifts from the Deities of Blacksmithing as their Apostle…

Do you have any idea what kind of Divine Treasure you're sitting on?" he revealed and asked current Kahn in a mocking tone.

"I won't get into details… just make sure that you find all the other descendants of the primordial titans with different elements and merge them with Blackwall.

Because he is the only one among all of your subordinates…" spoke the Martial Emperor with a satisfied tone…

"Who can receive the gift I brought from the future…" declared Kahn and soon a dark magical formation appeared beside him.

BOOM!!

Soon, a 2-meter tall black figure arose and revealed a strong aura of darkness that even pressured the current Kahn.

Neigh!

Tap!

Tap!

Neigh!

"Easy there boy, easy…" spoke Martial Emperor as he got up from his chair and caressed the new arrival's neck.

"This is my horse…" said future Kahn and introduced this majestic beast with two wide feathery wings that resembled a horse…

"Sleipnir."