Hero of Darkness

Out of a sudden, Rathnaar proposed to become Kahn's mentor, his guide, and even wanted to help him become a Demi-God. And in return, all he wanted was for Kahn to become the next Emperor of the Rakos Empire.

As for the reason why? Kahn had no idea.

"Why do you want me to do that? Don't tell me you trust me just because I'm your successor?

To be honest, I'm the sovereign of the Verlassen fiefdom now. But I have no attachment to the rest of the empire.

What you want me to do is too much unnecessary risk." he spoke truthfully.

"Touch the tablet and meet me inside.

We need to talk about this face to face." said Rathnaar.

[Omega… store the core.] ordered Kahn as he took a necessary measure first.

Omega stored the massive core in his space ring and disappeared from the place in the next moment.

Kahn walked forth and placed his hands on the huge golden tablet.

Vooom!!

The following second, everything around Kahn suddenly turned white. There were no stones, no ground or any construct as if Kahn entered a different realm.

"Is this… the chamber of exaltation?" he asked himself.

"No. This is just a passage. The one you cannot pass through without my acknowledgment and permission."

A tyrannical and stoic voice came from behind Kahn quickly turned around with an alarmed expression.

A massive 10 meter old man sitting on a giant red and golden throne came into sight.

On his head, was a golden crown and a grizzly white beard, as well as a mustache, was the first thing Kahn noticed.

This giant man was covered in gray and golden armor while on the left side of the throne, was an 8 meter tall greatsword hovering in the air.

Kahn finally saw what Rathnaar Whitlock, The legendary first emperor of the Rakos empire looked like.

His appearance was oozing with power, responsibility, charisma, leadership and honor.

He looked like those heroes of the legends or someone who trained those heroes himself.

"Don't worry. This is just my soul form. I'm actually not that big." said Rathnaar.

"What do you want to talk about?" asked Kahn.

"You don't see the big picture, Kahn Salvatore.

You need me, my knowledge, my methods to survive against the heroes, their churches and if that punk called the Demon God really achieves the realm of True Gods… you know what will happen.

Only having the Rakos Empire behind you will help you survive and give you enough manpower, authority, and resources to repel your future enemies.

Because sooner or later, your identity will be revealed to them even if you don't want to.

What I'm offering you now is your only chance to protect yourself since you don't even have your divine weapon." said Rathnaar.

"What do you mean? How will they find out?" asked Kahn as he noticed another revelation.

"The moment you become a saint, every other God and their religious institutes will sense your presence.

No other hero has been an exception to this.

You're lucky to have survived even till now without anyone finding out about your real identity.

Just because Rakos Empire doesn't support any God or follows their doctrine doesn't mean they will look favorably on you either." elaborated Rathnaar.

"But still… there should be better alternatives than me. If what you say is true… then I will become the biggest threat to the empire itself since others will come after me.

Me becoming the emperor will spell more trouble. So why would you want to risk the fate of the whole empire?" asked Kahn curiously as he found some answers of his own.

"You're an otherworlder. Unlike us, I know that you won't have to leave the world of living even after you become a Demi-God since you're not naturally born in Vantrea.

What more could I ask for if a Demi-God will protect my empire?" explained Rathnaar.

"As things stand in the current situation…

You need me more than I need you." he continued in an authoritative tone.

"Fine then… I accept." spoke Kahn instantly.

"Good. Let me begin the Soul-Pact." spoke Rathnaar and soon, 20 different archaic formations surrounded Kahn's body and Rathnaar's soul form was being absorbed by Kahn through a white fog-like wave.

After one hour… the procedure was finally done and Kahn returned outside of the tablet.

"You in there?" asked Kahn.

[Yes. Our souls have been attached perfectly.] replied Rathnaar in Kahn's mind.

Omega then appeared in front of Kahn and handed him the peak saint's core.

But the very moment Kahn took the core back in his space ring…

[Finally! I am free!] Rathnaar's voice resounded in Kahn's head.

And Kahn then completely lost control over his body.

[Do you think I'm a fool, boy?

I was a peak saint when I was alive.

Do you really think I can't sense that someone with my family's bloodline is coming here?

Did you think I revealed all that information because I trusted or empathized with you?

Do you think I needed you to tell me that you had my core?

I sensed it as soon as you crossed the final barrier. I was simply waiting for you to come here.] suddenly Rathnaar's voice gave Kahn a sense of ominous foreboding.

[I told you everything I knew about the chosen heroes so that you could trust me.

I used your sorry situation against you to make you feel that you needed my help and had to rely on me in order to survive.

Since you already have my core… you shall become my vessel!] his grim voice sent shivers to Kahn.

"You bastard!! Was that your plan from the beginning?!" asked Kahn in an enraged tone.

[Yes. Although I have a descendant coming here… you're a far better choice.

Last time, I failed to become a Demi-God.

But with the body of a chosen Hero with divine abilities… and my core back to me…

I can reach the pinnacle very quickly. I will rip apart everyone who massacred my descendants and reclaim my throne.] he declared as Kahn kept losing control over his body.

[Hahaha haha ha!!

You must be really dumb, boy. If you want to survive in this world…

You need to look for the worst in people even if they seem trustworthy.] said Rathnaar and finally, he gained full control over Kahn's body.

"Sit in the back from now on. I'm in charge now." spoke Kahn… now Rathnaar.

But before this celebratory scene continued… the real. Kahn spoke…

[System… do it!]