Hero of Darkness

Kahn and Omega were left speechless as they heard the name of this ancient entity. The one who they were conversing with till this point.

"The… the first emperor… Rathnaar, the Conqueror?" asked Kahn with a flabbergasted expression.

[Master… isn't he…] asked Omega.

[Not now… let's hear what he has to say first.] replied Kahn.

Kahn looked around the ceiling of this underground hall and ruined architecture. He bowed on the left while Omega bowed on the right.

"Our greeting, great Emperor." he said.

"I'm right in front of you, you idiots!" spoke Rathnaar.

[The hell… why can't I see him then?] thought Kahn.

"But… you're supposed to be dead. And that too more than 800 years ago. How can you be still alive?" asked Kahn in a befuddled voice.

"I said I'm right in front of you!" exclaimed Rathnaar again.

"Don't tell me… you're…" replied Kahn as he looked at what was in front of him.

"Yes, I'm inside the Tablet of Arcana." said the first emperor.

"Don't… don't tell… how come you're not dead yet?" queried Kahn again.

"My body has perished. But I have left half of my soul bound to the tablet.

And it's powerful enough to sustain my remaining soul essence." replied Rathnaar in a thoughtful voice.

"What is this Tablet of Arcana?

If I'm not wrong… And three factions, they wanted it for themselves and caused the Great War under the pretense of a coup against the Imperial family for it." said Kahn.

"So you mean to say that the founding clans turned their back on my descendants for the tablet?" asked Rathnaar in a grim voice.

"Well… that wasn't the first time this empire had a coup.

Many times because there was a slavery system, shunning of particular races and species… war between clans and powerful figures. And from the historical records I read once… the Whitlock family did a real shitty job in managing the empire.

And the previous emperor was the worst of them all. He oppressed and massacred too many people who stood before him. He even wiped out some of the loyal founding clans because he was afraid of their authority.

The records call him the worst emperor of the Rakos Empire. Although I don't know how much of it is true… it is what it is." revealed Kahn based on the knowledge he had about the history.

"This… this cannot be. No one told me anything about it." spoke Rathnaar as his voice sounded that of a dejected man.

"Of course, they didn't." said Kahn as if it was obvious.

"I created this empire to provide a safe haven for different species and races around the world.

Back then… those gods, their churches, their monasteries, and those anomalies called the chosen heroes caused a lot of bloodbaths, massacred and launched a crusade against different species and races.

Some tried to eradicate humans while some deemed demihumans as a race to be annihilated. Those bastards had killed billions of people throughout the world in the name of their God's decree and divine judgment.

Anyone who looked different or belonged to a certain race… anyone who didn't follow the doctrine of their God or questioned the authority of their representatives… all of them were purged.

Many species and races went extinct during those times." revealed the first emperor with a crestfallen voice.

"That was when I and many who believed that the bloodbath in the name of religion was simply too cruel; decided to work together and create a place where all the races and species could live in harmony.

It took me 200 years just to establish the Rakos Empire… but I guess all was for naught.

And based on what you said… the empire is still divided into three factions.

Looks like in the end… I failed very miserably." spoke Rathnaar. His defeated tone gave Kahn a sense of understanding of the man.

"I guess you're also to blame. You created a system where only the strongest of your bloodline became the emperor or an empress.

The truly capable were disqualified because they were weaker and thus it ended up dividing the Imperial family and founding clans.

The great war… was just an end to a thousand-year-long battle for power. It only delayed what should've happened centuries ago." responded Kahn with his honest opinion.

Rathnaar then kept quiet for a while and spoke again with an authoritative tone.

"You still haven't answered my question though.

Even if you were a chosen Hero, you could not have come here since you do not have the Imperial bloodline.

Why and how are you here? Are you also here for the Tablet of Arcana just like that Hero of Lightning from two centuries ago?" asked Rathnaar in a ghastly tone that sent shivers to both Kahn and Omega's bodies.

"If that's the reason… then you might as well return, boy.

No one other than the Imperial bloodline can access the tablet and what lies inside.

You cannot even touch it unless I grant you the permission myself.

So get out of here while I'm being considerate." spoke Rathnaar in a domineering voice.

[Master… I don't think that even I can do anything against that tablet. The aura it's giving off… it's too strong.] said Omega.

[Let me handle this.] replied Kahn.

"You're right… I came here for the tablet and I was able to enter here without even having the imperial bloodline.

Not because I found a way to get inside… but I was allowed to." outright lied Kahn.

"Impossible! The barriers will not let you pass unless it is someone from my kin. Tell me the truth!" Rathnaar's angered voice shook the surroundings.

"Well, I don't know anything about the bloodline but I think the barrier recognized me as one of your own." replied Kahn.

"What nonsense! Why would the barrier recognize you as one of my descendants?" asked Rathnaar in a curious voice.

"Maybe because of this…" said Kahn and soon, he took out something that covered the entire hall in a blinding white light.

A big sphere that was the size of a full-grown elephant suddenly appeared in between them.

"I bet you recognize this." spoke Kahn with a benign smile.

"You!... This can't be! You're not only the Hero of Darkness but also…" spoke Rathnaar in a trembling and bewildered voice.

"My Successor!"