Hero of Darkness



The sun rose on a new day, casting its warm rays upon the Council Hall of the Fenrirborne Tribe, where Romulus Lykaios, the Heavenly King of Fire, and Kahn in his Atreus persona, the recently inducted member of the Hero of Nature's party, found themselves entangled in a precarious situation.

The weight of their shared predicament hung heavily in the air as they engaged in a conversation fraught with tension.

The revelation of Atreus' true background as a mixblood, born of Fenrirborne and Basilisk lineage, a fictional narrative carefully crafted by Romulus during the Elysium Tribal Tourney, had caused a seismic upheaval in both their lives.

The ramifications rippled through the tribe, setting off a wave of unease and uncertainty.

For centuries, the Fenrirborne Tribe and the Basilisk Tribe had been bitter rivals, their enmity deeply rooted in the ancient conflict between the Godbeast Fenrir and the Godbeast Basilisk, transcending generations and eras.

Unlike dragons, Basilisks had no other natural adversaries, yet the descendants of Fenrir instilled a sense of unease and perceived threat within them.

The longstanding animosity between the tribes had kept them at odds, never allowing them to find common ground. And now, with the revelation of Kahn's true parentage as the supposed son of two deserters—a betrayal of their respective tribes, as they had defected and allied themselves with the Shadow Disciple of the opposing tribe, mingling with the enemy—the situation had become intolerable.

After the tourney ended and the official procedure to make Atreus enlist as a member of the Hero of Nature's party began… the way others treated Atreus changed as well.

As the Tribe Council Clan Leaders and Elders cast their scornful gazes upon Atreus, the air in the Council Hall grew heavy with disdain and hatred.

Once regarded as a precious gem by the Tribe Council, a potential successor and future leader of the Fenrirborne Tribe, Atreus now found himself shunned by those who had previously showered him with praise and support.

The reason for this sudden shift in their perception was painfully straightforward. Atreus stood as an anomaly—a living embodiment of the shame and betrayal that had befallen their tribe.

His very existence carried the stain of his parentage, a connection to the despised Basilisk Tribe that had been the object of their animosity for centuries.

The Fenrirborne Tribe, steeped in their ancient traditions and bitter rivalry with the Basilisk Tribe, saw Atreus as a living reminder of their past grievances. The blood that flowed through his veins bore the traces of the very enemy they had despised for generations.

To them, he was an embodiment of impurity, a constant reminder of the betrayal that had tarnished their honor.

Even the other four disciples of Romulus, who had once stood by Atreus's side as comrades and allies, now distanced themselves from him. They, too, felt the weight of society's disdain and chose to shield themselves from the perceived impurity that ran through his veins.

Their actions spoke volumes, as they refrained from even touching him, fearing contamination by his tainted lineage.

Atreus stood alone in the face of this collective rejection, the weight of his mixed heritage pressing heavily upon his shoulders.

"All of you may leave." commanded Romulus as the Clan leaders, Elders, and his disciples left the grand council hall.

Under an isolation barrier, the Heavenly King of Fire and the Champion of Elysium Tribal Tourney began their private conversation.

"Just two days ago, they were cheering for me when I won the tourney and now, they look at me as if I'm the embodiment of an incurable disease." said Atreus.

"Well, it is better this way. I foresaw this when I created that fake background story for you.

But my plan included you secretly disappearing when the time came.

However, even I could not predict that damn Empress making you a member of the Hero's Party.

And I believe she has ulterior motives as well." spoke Romulus with an incredulous expression.

"What kind of motives do you mean?" queried Kahn.

"On the surface, she does not like you very much. But even she can't deny that someone with both Fenrir and Basilisk bloodlines would definitely become a powerful figure in the future of the empire.

Not just her but even the other Heavenly Kings are aware of this." explained the crimson wolfkin.

"Although she can't publicly have ties with you in any way… By making you a member of Hero of Nature's party… She can monitor you." proclaimed Romulus.

"She could have granted you any reward but chose to make you join the Hero's Party as the first step of her schemes. Her real plans will start after you officially become a member.

After joining the Hero's Party… You will no longer be a member of Fenrirborne Tribe. And I assume the council members will soon create a ruckus to have you cast out from the Tribe as well.

With that, I will no longer have any justification to support you or meddle in to solve your troubles.

You will be on your own from now on." said Romulus with a dejected face and clenched his fists very hard, barely containing his rage.

However…

"It's okay." replied Kahn confidently.

This response took Romulus aback, anticipating an answer.

"We were going to part ways at some point anyways. In case you haven't noticed Master… But I'm damn good at surviving on my own.

On top of it, I have him with me." he spoke and suddenly, a scholarly figure appeared out of a dimensional crack behind Kahn.

"The boy is right. This was supposed to be our temporary stop anyway.

In a sense, we overstayed our welcome for a year." spoke Vildred, the Sage of Preservation and let out a light smile.

"Besides… Do you not trust your disciple and what you've taught him so far?" he asked with a grin.

As the weight of worry for his disciple began to lift, Romulus experienced a sudden jolt of realization.

How could he have forgotten the true identity of Kahn Salvatore?

He was not just a mere warrior or a member of the Fenrirborne Tribe. No, Kahn was something far more formidable –

The goddamn Hero of Darkness and the Apostle of the War Deity.

But that wasn't all; Kahn's illustrious resume continued to extend. 

He was also the mentee of the fearsome Apostle of Slaughter and the Sage of Preservation who once held the prestigious title of the former Dragon Emperor. 

He had come to know Vildred's true identity very recently after they willing told Romulus, so now, he was even more confident.

The sheer magnitude of Kahn's current abilities and potential surpassed even their own.

Despite the current unfavorable circumstances and the Empress' animosity towards Atreus, Romulus understood that it didn't change the undeniable truth: Kahn was a force to be reckoned with, someone who demanded utmost caution. 

Romulus realized that fearing for Kahn's safety was pointless; rather, he should show sympathy towards those who willingly chose to stand against him. 

"Alright, you made your point." spoke Romulus and nodded at Vildred.

"As for your next move, Kahn… I need to tell you something." he spoke in a serious tone.

"You must go to the Conclave of Heroes no matter what." he stated with a commanding voice.

"If you do not do so or miss it for any reason…" spoke the Heavenly King of Fire with a bated breath as he revealed the cause of his warning.

"You will die."