Hero of Darkness

The atmosphere of the Conclave of Heroes was now filled with palpitating hearts and anticipation as the supposed Prey of the Empires was now confidently standing before them without a shred of fear in his eyes.

Kahn intentionally hinted that he faked his death 'during the trial' and not after the trial was passed by one of the heroes.

That way… no one would suspect Atreus, the one who died after the ambush by the Hero of Time after Maximus, the Hero of Nature, passed the trial and also witnessed his demise at the hands of the Hero of Time.

And given the number of survivors who were less than half the original numbers before all the Heroes and Heroines entered Babylon… no empire had a chance to know which one of their party members was actually the Hero of Darkness or how he faked his identity to enter Babylon right under their nose.

In honesty, no one would want to claim that on themselves because they would face scrutiny and embarrassment if it was found that they were so incompetent that a lone hero even managed to enter their empire's elite group of warriors who were tasked with assisting and protecting the heroes and passed right through the front door when all the empires were hunting the Hero of Darkness zealously.

"So you didn't attack the Hero of Life but they blamed it on you?" asked Argos.

Kahn nodded and at this very moment, he telepathically messaged Romulus.

[Master… Thank you for all your teachings… they kept me alive during the fight with the Hero of Time's party.

I would not have made it out if not for the techniques you taught me.

But it's time for me to depart for our good. So this is a farewell for a while. I need to leave right now and we may not meet for a long time.] he spoke to the Heavenly King of Fire in a humble and respectful tone.

[I… understand. It was bound to happen since the day I met you at the border of the Nadur Empire just a year ago. I'm content knowing that I could teach you everything in the small timeframe we had. As your master… I'm proud of you.

And I look forward to seeing what kind of Hero you will become.] replied Romulus, the Fire elemental Fenrirborne.

[But you still have a long way to go. Do not slack off in your training or I will hunt you down and skin you alive.] he warned Kahn.

[Ah, yes. Don't worry about that master. I have been made to realize how much I'm lacking in terms of using the 5 techniques you taught me.

I also see that there is a lot to improve if I fight the Demon God one day.

Even though I wasn't looking forward to it… I guess it's my time to live up to the moniker of the Hero of Darkness for real.] responded Kahn in an obedient tone.

[Good. The next time I meet you… you better be stronger than me, or I will break every bone in your body.] said Romulus.

Kahn almost chuckled to see the usual response from his sadist master who forced him to keep on training regardless of the pain he had to endure in the past year.

Although he achieved a lot and died more than a million times during his training to learn the new techniques as well as unlock the first form of his domain…

His responsibility as the Hero of Darkness would not allow him to slack off and his role was vital for the future of Vantrea in many ways. Thus, he gladly accepted the overwhelming expectations his master, Romulus Lykaios, had for him.

Even the original Kahn aka the Martial Emperor had great respect for Romulus, who was his only true master in the original timeline. So the current Kahn also shared the same amount of respect and appreciation for the Heavenly King of Fire.

In the real world, the conversation continued…

"Looks like your name has been used for cover-up for many despicable things by these lot.

Well… our time here is over. We shall decide how to deal with them later." declared the Vampire King.

Kahn nodded and walked behind Argos.

He relayed a personal message to Maximus, who for some reason, wasn't surprised to see Kahn as the Hero of Darkness.

[Thank you, Maximus. With your help… I can leave the Nadur Empire without any strings attached or traces left behind.] he said.

[With what you've shown and told me… I felt like it was the right thing to do.

Besides… I was paying off a debt on behalf of the God of Nature.] replied Maximus as he bade farewell to Kahn whom he knew as Atreus Bellator.

With this, unlike the original timeline… the story of the Blue Fenrirborne and the Shadow Disciple of the Heavenly King of Fire ended 2 years earlier in the Beast Empire.

But this wasn't the only message he received…

[You're even more remarkable than I thought. Might as well have to take you in as my son-in-law.] said Emperor Havi of the Vulcan Empire.

[Hah! Stop joking, Fireborne Emperor. The war is just about to begin now.] responded Kahn in a playful tone.

The next moment, he received another message from an old friend.

[This is cheating, Kahn! Why are you stronger than me? I just became a 4th-stage saint and you're already 2 ranks above me.] complained a young woman around the same age as Kahn in a playful tone.

[Well, being a chosen Hero has its benefits. It's good to see you doing well, Venessa.

We shall meet next time when things are less… chaotic.] responded Kahn as he greeted his old friend.

As he started to leave… Vildred, the Lightening Dragon Emperor also followed behind from the True Dimension.

[So this is the new course of our journey, my disciple?] asked the Sage of Preservation.

[Yes, for now at least. But do not worry, master.

I will fulfill our pact one day even if I'm entangled in the upcoming war with the Demon Empire.] reassured Kahn.

[Master, when should we make a move?] asked Omega among the group representing the Elven Empire and Hero of Life.

[I will find a way to contact you all when the time is right. We will reunite once I have figured things out as the Hero of Darkness and what my role will be.

Till then, carry on as you have been and get strong; because we will be fighting powerful foes very often from now on.] instructed Kahn to all of his subordinates.

Step!

Step!

Kahn folded his arms behind his back and followed after Argos.

[Wait a minute… there's something I have left to do.] he spoke to the Revenant Sovereign.

Kahn's steps suddenly stopped as he turned around.

BOOM!!

Kahn's bursting aura suddenly changed and turned completely black and blue, revealing a perfect balance of Darkness and Cosmic Aether as if they had perfectly merged and revealed a dark-blue dragonfire mixed within his aura. Kahn's previously Black and Red aura now ceased to exist and the newly formed Black and Blue aura mixed with Dragonfire had become his newly evolved aura, setting a milestone in Kahn's own evolution.

Dhang!

Dhang!

As moments passed, even the mighty Emperors and Empresses felt a threatening aura encompassing their visages while the heroes and heroines could barely move their bodies.

And from Kahn's new aura… arose a 10-meter-tall mighty figure, materializing above him.

Everyone stared with bewilderment at this new dark and grim figure.

This wasn't Kahn but the silhouette of the Martial Emperor that hovered above him.

"This… this is the aura of a Peak 8th-stage saint! How is this even possible?!" This time, all the Emperors and Heroes, including Kahn's own hidden allies were simply befuddled…

This was a power akin to a farewell gift left by the Martial Emperor to the current Kahn, called as… Descent of the Martial God.

"A word of advice… whether it's a chosen Heroes or Heroines, the Emperors or the Empresses, or even the said group that was formed to hunt me since the day I was sent in this world…

Do not think that you can touch me or attack me just because I have no backing or guidance in this world." he spoke in a grim voice as his eyes revealed a terrifying bloodlust and his overbearing deathly aura of darkness spread around the enemies.

"From now on… If anyone even looks at me the wrong way…" spoke Kahn as he made a tyrannical and terrifying declaration at the conclusion of the Conclave of Heroes…

"I'll end your entire fucking bloodline!"

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------------END OF ARC/VOLUME 7--------------

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