Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Chapter 286 136. Crossing the River of Time
(Don't read too fast, this chapter has a lot of perspectives, and the content of the original work is 101%, please subscribe carefully)
Elven princes and princesses from the kingdoms of Iris, Cosque, Saffrey, and Charis in the vision have camped on the grass around the Asuryan Temple, and the big red, blue, and white tents seem to be Formed a well-proportioned neighborhood, the different flags of the princes and princesses were swaying in the wind on their respective tents, surrounded by family guards who were sentry and vigilant.

Outside the vision, Malekith still couldn't see the emblems on those flags, but he had vaguely guessed that these were Azul dignitaries who supported him to rule Ulthuan.

The Phoenix Guards are all silent, this is because when they became the Phoenix Guards, they swore never to speak again. They have all entered the daylight of the temple, where they saw everything about Asuryan, regardless of Be it the past, the present or the future, as if they have crossed the river of time, all the oracles they saw in this secret room are what Asuryan forbids them to mention to the outside world.

When Dacius approached the front door of the temple, the two phoenix guards did not stop him, but bowed to him with their halberds in hand, which made him a little puzzled.After he entered the temple, he came to the front hall, which was a room without any decoration, except for a huge phoenix carved on the door leading to the central hall. He saw very clear pools on both sides of the corridor, He picked up the water and rubbed his face.

After rubbing his face, Dacius continued to walk forward under the guidance of Kazhuoyin, and soon came to the main hall of the temple. The corridor leading to here was full of phoenix guards on both sides, and Asuryan's sacred The altar still burns the holy fire of the king of the gods in the middle of the main hall of the temple.

It was a mass of holy fire that had no fuel but burned in the air out of thin air. It kept changing colors, blue, green, red and gold, changing into different colors every few minutes. The holy fire was not as exciting as ordinary flames. People felt a burning sensation, and when Dacius approached the holy flame, he only felt a moment of peace. Even the crackling sound of ordinary flames, the holy fire would not emit, and the holy fire was as silent as the Phoenix guard here.

Dacius lost his sight from the burning holy fire, and he noticed that the central hall was very lively. Many Asuryan priests and servants were moving out tables and chairs, and spreading carpets with holy fire patterns on the floor. Getting ready for the next ceremony, seeing that everything was ready, he nodded in satisfaction and left.

In the vision, Malekith, wearing midnight armor, walked slowly down the gangway and the slope of the pier, followed by several dread lords, Dacius' retinue, sorceresses, Koran Blackhand and the heavily armed black guards them.

Outside the hallucination, Malekith looked at this familiar yet unfamiliar scene. He was not wearing midnight armor when he came last time, and he was followed by knights from Nagareth, and the ship he was riding on was not a Drucci It was his flagship dragonship, the Indrognir, that transported him across time and into his worst memories.

The reminiscence of Malekith waved the princes into the halls of the temple with him, and the princes complied.The rest of the phoenix guards, subordinates and knights stayed outside the hall.

In the hall of the temple, the princes and princesses sat around the conference table, with the holy fire burning behind them.The high priest of Asuryan, Meanderin, sat in the center of the altar, and other priests and servants walked back and forth, serving fruit, sweets and wine to the princes and princesses.

The Phoenix King's place was at the gate, but it was empty, and Malekith stood there with a half-smile on his face, which confused the High Priest and the princes.Behind him stood two knights of Nagaryth, one of them holding a bundle, and he leaned on the table, watching the princes and princesses who sat there.

"Weak and selfish! Ulthuan is full of weakness, like an overzealous child who squeezes fruit juice at will. At the same time, your selfishness keeps you from doing anything but complacency! You let the cult Growth, you only care about your own land. You search for gold in the land beyond the sea, but allow thieves to break into your city and steal the most precious things." Malekith raised his head and said arrogantly and contemptuously.

"Are you satisfied with a traitor as Phoenix King?" Malekith demanded loudly at last.

This sentence made all the people present exclaimed. The Nagareth knight holding the burden threw the contents on the table. It was the second Phoenix King after Aenarion, Balshiana. Crown and cloak.

"What's wrong with my father, where is he?" Barshiana's son yelled, standing up.

"Is something wrong with the Phoenix King?" one of the princes asked.

"He's dead! Because of his weakness and incompetence," Malekith growled.

"It's impossible!" Barshiana's son roared, his voice full of anger and choked with sobs.

"True! I once swore to eradicate the cult in Ulthuan, but in the end I never thought that my own mother would be the leader of the cult. Since then I have firmly believed that no one can be trusted. If the naga The Kingdom of Reese has been completely corrupted, so how can the Kingdom of Tyrannok guarantee its innocence? It took me some time to investigate as I noticed that those close to the Phoenix King may have been infected by the remnants of the cult. Impact. My investigation was cautious and thorough, and you can imagine how disappointed and shocked I was when I found evidence pointing to the Phoenix King himself." Malekith said slowly.

"What evidence?"

"I found some cult supplies and amulets in the Phoenix King's chambers. Trust me! I was in the same mood as you, and couldn't imagine a man like Barshina, the wisest of us, and It's the Phoenix King, who actually did such a thing. I didn't act recklessly, but planned to confront him with those things, hoping that I made some mistakes."

"Did he deny it?"

"He admitted it with practical actions. It may be because there are some spies around me. They told Barshina about my discovery in advance. When I went to question him, I found that there was only his body there, and he died of taking poison. He chose to commit suicide! He would rather accept this path of cowardice than accept interrogation, because then he can take the secret of the cult with him in the grave." Malekith continued.

But the actual situation is different from what Malekith said. Barshiana did take poison and died, but he did not take the poison himself, but was forced into it by Malekith.

"Nonsense! My father would never do such a thing. He was loyal to Ulthuan and his people!" Barshanar's son yelled.

"I'm sorry, I sympathize with you very much, but I was also deceived by my own mother. At that time, I felt as much heartache as you do now."

"It's so disturbing, the Phoenix King is a cultist, it's unbelievable," said a prince.

"It is also Barshina's intention to continue to create suspicion among us after death. When we doubt and argue about this matter, anarchism will dominate, and when we quarrel about these things , the cultists will take advantage of the situation, we will lose everything, we have no time to think about what to do next, we must act decisively!" Malekith said firmly.

"We need to elect a new Phoenix King soon, don't we?"

"Is that your intention?"

"If everyone present agrees," Malekith said.

More than [-] princes and princesses gathered in the hall. They were either princes of a country, or great dignitaries with powerful armies and impressive wealth. They ruled Ulthuan.

"Now is not a suitable time for elections, and the problem cannot be solved by electing a new king, and the members of the parliament are not all present." A prince objected.

"The kingdom of Nagaryth can't wait any longer! The cultists have a winter to completely control the army there, and then they will invade the kingdom of Tyrannok! The flames of war will burn all over Ulthuan." Mare Keith slammed his fist on the table and growled.

"You want us to choose you to be the Phoenix King?"

"That's right! Because I am the son of the original Phoenix King and his successor. If Barshiana's betrayal is not enough reason to support me, then you can look at my other achievements. I am the son of the Dwarf High King." Friend, and our ambassador on the side of the dwarves. On the other side of the sea, I have won countless victories, founded vast colonies and countless new cities. The people there come from various kingdoms, and I have always protected them .Now, a whole new race has formed there, and they think that I am the king there, not their original ruler. Barshiana is a wise and peaceful person, but the wisdom of peace cannot meet the threat of darkness. " Malekith said complacently.

"What about Imrik? He also fought in the colonies, and he was an excellent general."

"Son of Imrik the Dragontamer? Where does he hide when we need a hero? He hunts beasts in the mountains of Charis with his cousin! You want a dandy who just hides and plays in the mountains Come to be the co-lord of Ulthuan? Don’t forget that when he declared war on the cult, he only led the army of his own kingdom to fight alone, but I carried the banner of the coalition army. Aren’t you willing to serve me back then? Commander?" Malekith said contemptuously.

"You'd better be careful what you say, arrogance won't work in your favor!"

"I don't intend to hurt your self-esteem, I just want you to recall some of the things you did back then, because deep down in your heart you are willing to follow me." Malekith said with a smile.

"We can't decide who the next Phoenix King is so hastily! My father's body is still alive, and the real situation needs to be investigated in detail. At this time, you are forcing us to hand over the position of Phoenix King to you?" Barshana's son said.

"He's right, Malekith," one of the princes echoed.

"What nonsense! More than 1000 years ago, the Parliament made a ridiculous decision, and I watched Barshina take away the power that I should have. I have never paid much attention to the squabbles in the Parliament, because I Focused on witnessing the growing prosperity of our family and country. I have led my men and soldiers in strange lands and made great sacrifices. I thought you would at least remember the blessings my father did to you, but you seem Ignored the dissatisfaction and cries in my heart."

"I tell you, now is the time for you to follow me! Although I will appear ruthless when necessary, I will never treat those who serve me sincerely. Please understand my position and support my decision! Malekisto shouted angrily. He smashed the table in front of him with his fist, and the crown and cloak fell to the ground. At the same time, his cloak was thrown aside as he moved. His sword flashed from under his cloak.

"Malekis! You can't enter this sanctuary with a sword! This is the oldest taboo, throw your weapon out!" the high priest Meanderin exclaimed.

Malekith was a little taken aback. He looked at the sword hanging from his waist, his face suddenly sank, and he grabbed the hilt with one hand and drew the sword out.

"I've said enough! It's my birthright to be the Phoenix King! This is not something that needs your permission!" Malekith raised his saber and pointed it at the princes. He stared at the princes and growled road.

"You thief!"

The words of Barciana's son were like a starting gun, and the scene in the hall instantly became uncontrollable. Some princes tried to pounce on Malekith, and the princes who supported Malekith wrestled with the princes who opposed it.Soon, more and more black figures appeared behind Malekith. Seeing the knights of Nagareth, the princes, princesses, priests and servants ran away one after another. Falling and stomping, followed by death, the knights of Nagaryth had drawn their weapons and walked towards their waiting prey.

Malekith stared coldly at the holy fire in the center of the temple, and he started to walk towards the holy fire. The screams echoed in the room, and the blood kept splattering out, but none of these seemed to attract his attention. .

"What are you going to do? Asuryan will not accept you! You killed people in his temple! And without the protection of our fire warding spell, this is absolutely impossible!" Mianderlin pointed at Maleki S asked.

"So what? I am Aenarion's heir! I am qualified to be the Phoenix King! Who needs your magic protection?" Malekith yelled angrily while pushing away Meanderin who was pulling him.

"Go away! I don't need to listen to the nonsense of you priests."

After Malekith kicked Midanderin away who was lying on the ground, he raised his hands, prayed to Asuryan for a while, and walked straight into the holy flame.

In an instant, the entire island shook. The earthquake caused the Asuryan Temple to collapse, the ground shook violently, the surrounding pillars also collapsed one after another, and the island trembled and heaved violently.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the lightning kept rumbling.

A terrible scream pierced the rumble and carried the island, a howl of agony so severe it seemed to pierce the soul.

Asuryan's holy fire grew paler, from dark blue to bright white.The silhouette of Malekith can be seen in the center of the flame, his arms held motionless in an outstretched position.

With a loud bang, the sacred flame burned violently, and the fiery light illuminated the entire temple.

Malekith fell to his knees in the fire, covering his face. He was lit by the holy flame, and he threw up his head and screamed as the holy flame engulfed his body.His howling of pain echoed around him, growing louder as time went on.His withered figure slowly stood up in the holy fire, and then rushed out from the depths of the holy fire.

Smoke billowed from Malekith's charred body on his knees, his charred flesh peeling off in chunks amid the molten armor.His clothes were burned, and in several places only bones remained.His face had become a black and red mask, with eyeballs exposed beyond lidless sockets.He trembled, then fell motionless to the ground.

"No! No! It shouldn't be like this!" Malekith, who broke free from his memories, vaguely saw him in the phantom standing on the edge of the holy flame again, and he roared hysterically.After that, he gradually calmed down, as if out of control, he fell into the memory of Barshina's coronation.

It was 1000 years before Malekith was burned by the sacred flame. With the end of the coronation ceremony of Barshina, only Malekith remained, staring at the sacred flame for a long time, thinking about his fate.

The sacred flame resumed its shifting colors, appearing darkened after the dazzling eruption.From Malekith's point of view, the flame seemed to have weakened somewhat, tainted by Barshinar's presence.

Malekith walked forward slowly, unaware, his thoughts confused and filled with conflicting emotions.If he dared to face the sacred fire and survived, without the protection of the priests' spells, then it was undoubtedly Asuryan's will for him to succeed his father as the Phoenix King.However, what if he's not strong enough?Will the flames consume him?So what was left of his hopes and dreams?

Malekith stood in front of the flame without realizing it, fascinated by the changing patterns of the flame.He had a strong desire to reach out and touch the holy fire, but just as he was about to put his hand into the fire, he heard the steps of the priests re-entering the temple.He quickly withdrew his hand, turned away from the sacred flame, and quickly left the temple, ignoring the curious eyes of the priests.

This is where Malekith's father, Aenarion, first prayed for mercy from the greatest god and was reborn as a savior!
Malekith, who broke free from the memories again, looked at him in the phantom, and at Dacius standing beside him in the phantom.He has already reacted, he is on the bank of a river of undetermined time, recalling the top of the river, looking down the river.

The upstream facts are established and have happened.But the downstream is unknown, thinking of this, he has completely calmed down, and Malekith wants to see what surprises the downstream in front of him will bring him.

"Is there anything you want to ask me now? I can tell you." When Dacius said, he didn't look at Malekith, but stretched out his arms and fingers and twirled with the swaying holy flame.

"What evidence do you have?" Malekith demanded.

"Asuryan never rejected you from the beginning to the end, it was you who rejected Asuryan at the last moment! Your heart was not strong enough at that time, Asuryan has always planned to let you inherit your father's position. Think carefully , Why did the subsequent Phoenix Kings who entered the holy fire through the fire-avoiding spell usually become unknown in their later years? They all fell into some kind of madness? Only a few got a good death?" After Dacius finished speaking, seeing Malekith delay There was no movement, so he continued.

"Because they fooled Asuryan, they were cursed by Asuryan. Evidence? I need evidence for what I said? I have many identities besides the hand of the Witch King. I need to call out one and let him tell Do you? Looking back at the eager eyes around, although they couldn't tell, their eyes already said everything."

"I know what you want to say, but I never manipulated you from the beginning to the end. I once told you that fate is in our own hands! It is your right to be the real Phoenix King, not something I can give! I'm just telling you the truth at a critical moment. If you don't have the courage to face all this, we can turn around and act as if we have never been here today. Of course, you can also kill everyone present so that no one will I see your weakness."

"Weakness!?" When Malekith said this word, blood rushed to his throat, and he began to cough violently. He seemed to be irritated by Dacius' words. He took three steps towards the holy flame, and then stopped.

"If I pass through the flames, then all my efforts will be a lie! These 5000 years will be a complete joke!" Malekith said slowly.

"Will this make you regret your actions?"

"But I don't regret what I did. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose to do it!" Malekith's tone of voice became forceful, as if he was covering up the deepest fragility in his heart.

Malekith, who watched all this from outside the illusion, suddenly realized that he once said this to Dacius in the throne room of his black tower, and no third person was present at that time. realized something.

"Aenarion's bloodline doesn't need any fire-avoiding spells to survive in the holy fire, you have to be ready. Asuryan demands sacrifice, your rebirth is not without pain." Dacius put his hand on it while speaking. There was a hissing sound in the air on Malekith's midnight armor, and his hands were burned by the heat from the midnight armor.

But Malekith, who was looking out of the phantom, didn't feel the pain on the face of Dacius in the phantom, but with concern and sympathy.

"Pain?" Malekith sneered, seemingly feeling Dacius' touch as the flames died out in the gaps between his armor.

"You have to endure, you will be destroyed and reborn. When you stepped into the sacred fire last time, you were almost destroyed. If you endure a few more breaths, the rebirth will begin. So, don't come out so early this time Yes, my Phoenix King."

"Even though I desecrated the temple of Asuryan with my blood, even though I killed Barshana with my own hands, if I could endure a few more heartbeats? This... this pain... war... 6000 years Sad because..." Malekith said the words slowly and incoherently.

"Because you are weak, Malekith! Overcome your weakness."

Looking at the phantom, Malekith couldn't help being shocked. At this moment, he really believed it. Instead of anger and pain, he had a feeling that he hadn't felt in more than 6000 years: shame.

"Let's start!" After a long time, Malekith in the illusion calmed down and said slowly, and then he stepped into the holy fire of Asuryan.

Looking at the phantom, Malekith's perspective was fixed outside the phantom, he saw him burning in the phantom, and a scream burst out from his throat.Although this is just an illusion, the emotions in his heart can resonate with his in the illusion.He experienced every moment of 6000 years, and 6000 years of pain flooded his body in an instant.

Malekith had an almost irresistible urge to flee, so what if his people were destroyed, he would survive, he was the greatest of them all, they existed only to be sacrificed to keep him alive.

But Malekith resisted the urge, listening to the beating of the heart, not the fear within.He remembered that he was the son of Aenarion, and he remembered what Dacius had said to him. He firmly believed that as long as he could endure a few heartbeats, he could be reborn.

Even if Dacius is deceiving Malekith, and the century-old plan is only at this moment, it doesn't matter.

Malekith, who knows the truth, is better than continuing through the painfully entangled years, filled with what he most desires, but he refuses, since Dacius wants it, give it to him.

It is not physical pain that causes such torture, physical pain is just a memory of mental pain.The blood on his hands, whether symbolic or real, is his sin, which he has always carried.

Asuryan passed no judgment on Malekith, and the only punishment he suffered was self-punishment.

Acknowledging this, Malekith accepted his fate, remembering that his father had been willing to die protecting Ulthuan.To become the Phoenix King, one must rise from the ashes of death, there is no other way!
Malekith laughed outside the vision, as the holy fire within the vision consumed him, the flames passing through him and touching every part of his body and mind.No pain, no feeling of any kind.He felt like a ghost, cut off from the world, and he swore a thousand voices were calling now.

Malekith, who was outside the illusion, could no longer see the scene in the illusion, and there were only colorful flames around him.He is made of fire, and nothing can be seen but dancing flames.Even though he couldn't move, he felt as if his body had wings, lifting him up like a phoenix with flame wings.He tried closing his eyes, but nothing changed, the flames still filled his vision.

Soon, a gentle breeze passed over Malekith, touching him, smoothing the metallic skin, charred flesh, and broken bones, reducing him to a delicate ash without the slightest discomfort.He felt it come back again, the flames coalescing into his form again, creating body, limbs, head and fingers, every part of him.

"No! This is impossible! This is not an established fact!"

Before Malekith, who was outside the illusion, opened his eyes, a voice appeared, and the flames around him disappeared, as if everything just now was an illusion. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was the scene in the illusion. He in the holy flame has been burned to ashes, and there is no so-called rebirth. He can clearly see the shock and disbelief on Dacius' face.

In the next second, Dacius rushed into the holy flame crazily, as if he was looking for something, but soon, a scream that pierced his soul came into his ears.

Dacius was also swallowed by the holy flame, and was burned to ashes before he walked out.

Kadroin, Asuryan Priest, Phoenix Guard, Prince and Princess Azul who supported Malekith in the illusion, and Drucci all looked dazed and shocked. They were overwhelmed by the sudden arrival. I don't know what to do.

In a short moment, Drucci's Majesty the Witch King, Drucci's Hand of the Witch King, Ulthuan's Majesty the Phoenix King, and Ulthuan's Hand of the Phoenix King all died in Asuryan's holy fire .

　Um, let’s talk about it here, there will be no disgusting people in the follow-up, this chapter is a foreshadowing at the end, maybe I have to go to the Chaos Realm for a while.

　　This is written here because this is the river of time, so the downstream of the river is half-truth and half-false. I also said before about the kingdom of God and the existence of magic. . .

　　
　
(End of this chapter)