★246
ACHERNAR'S POV
Eternity passed and I woke up. At first, everything was normal except for the fact that I wasn't normal.
I could feel the same black aura that he gave off coursing through my veins like blood. I got up and noticed that my white clothes were burned, not from the burning spares, but rather from the effects of my new body. I became curious about how I would appear as my wings turned black, black feathers raining with each motion.
With a mere thought, a black mirror appeared giving off my reflection. Other than my ears growing longer and my hair and wings losing their light and turning black, not much changed.
'No doubt about it... I've fallen from Grace. I possess no Divinity.'
That realisation is the greatest nightmare for a Star, but apparently, I don't feel anything. It's like sinning without feeling remorse.
"Your survival indicates that you are already above the Nebulas Tier."
The man from earlier appeared. I wasn't startled by his appearance. It was as if I was expecting him. I can feel this weird connection between us.
"What's a Nebula Tier?"
"Dark Gods and Nebulas, respectively, are similar to how Stars have Tiers like Supergods and Hypergods."
He replied.
"The class above Nebulas..."
"Dark Nebula, a rank equal to Supernovas."
"..."
"You don't seem surprised"
"I don't... I have not yet awakened, but I was eligible for the Omni Tier. What's your name, invader?"
I asked, looking fearlessly into his eyes. I was never afraid of him, because this is my true inner self. I was just waiting to unleash them.
"Kenos, the Void Emperor. The First Dark Star."
My eyes widened in surprise, but I simply laughed it off. So he's the one, the first Dark Star to ever walk the Star Realm.
"The first anomaly, is it? Well, my new name shall be.."
"Not so fast."
He said, stepping in before I could finish. I paused, a slight frown forming as I looked at him. He lifted a hand and pointed past me.
"The Dragons."
He went on.
I turned. In the distance, shapes moved against the horizon, their presence heavy enough to make the air feel tight in my chest. Even from here, I could feel them.
'So these are the third species in the Star Realm, Star Dragons. From what I've heard, they exist class that can rival the each Star hierarchy.'
"Eradicate the Balance Dragons."
He said, as if it were a simple errand.
"Do that, and you will be king."
I let out a quiet breath, almost a scoff, and faced him again. The offer hung there, waiting for me to take it, but it stirred nothing in me.
"I have no intention of ruling beasts."
I said, my tone steady, though my eyes flicked back once more, measuring the approaching chaos in silence.
"You don't, but we do. Consider this your first task."
"We?"
"Do as instructed, and be one of us."
He spoke without waiting for a reply, and the world shifted around him and he was gone.
I barely had time to access them when they appeared suddenly, surrounding me. Dragon-kin, countless, armed and ready. Foreign material glinting in their hands, wings shifting, eyes fixed on us with open hostility.
I stepped forward, rolling my shoulders once as I adjusted to this new body. There was a strange ease to it, a sense of strength sitting just beneath my skin, waiting to be used. My fingers curled slightly, testing the feeling, and a faint smile touched my lips.
The first strike came without hesitation. Flesh, scales, and metal gave way far too easily, as though none of it was meant to withstand me. One fell, then another, and soon the space around me blurred into motion and impact. Their numbers pressed in, but it made no difference. Each swing, each step, each turn of my body carried a force I was only beginning to understand.
Time lost its shape. The sounds of battle, shouts, clashes, the heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground, blended into one continuous rhythm. Blood stained the ground, the air thick with it, yet I did not slow. I could feel it clearly now, this power was mine, and it answered without resistance.
Even the Balance Dragon fell. When it ended, or perhaps when I finally stopped, the field had changed. Bodies lay scattered, the once-unified force reduced to broken remnants. Those who remained stood at a distance, shaken, uncertain, their earlier confidence gone.
A presence formed before me. It was the Void Emperor. He looked over the scene, then at me, as though measuring what I had become.
"That's enough."
He said, raising a hand to halt me before I could take another step.
"Force the rest into submission… and take them as your army."
"Good idea."
I followed instructions without question or protest because I was getting everything I desired. The destruction I carved but was unable to release, the freedom I lacked in the Star Realm. I was high on the freedom to spread destruction. This earned me the title Dragon God of Destruction.
I drew on the corrupted energy within me and let it spill outward. It answered at once, coiling through the air and pressing down on the survivors.
One by one, they faltered. Some dropped to a knee, others lowered their weapons, their resistance giving way under the weight of it. I held it there, steady, until the last of them bent.
My draconic army took shape without another word, though physical stable, they'll soon transform into Void Dragons in a matter of days.
"Spread out."
I ordered, my voice carrying across the broken field. It was more of a 'go get some rest' than a 'get ready for battle' kinda order.
They moved at once. Wings beat against the air, and the black desert trembled as they scattered to carry out the command. I watched them go, a quiet satisfaction settling in my chest as the last of the hesitation disappeared.
"Let's go. They're waiting."
Kenos said from beside me.
I glanced at him, then back at the path ahead. A faint smile tugged at my lips.
"Strong opponents, I hope."
He gave me a look, his eyes travelling over me in a way that made me pause.
"You've been naked this entire time. Find something to wear."
For a moment, I simply stared at him, the words not quite landing. Then I looked down at myself and let out a short breath, half amused, half embarrassed.
In the rush of the fight, I hadn't noticed at all.
Abruptly, the black gas surrounding my body contracted into a black suit. Recalling the candles that float on my wings gave me the idea to swap them out for eyes with a black pupil and violet iris.
With my hands in my pockets, I smiled softly as I spoke.
[[IMAGE]]
[[IMAGE]]
"Let's go."
The two of us appeared in another space. Apart from the round white table and chairs that fit the corresponding Dark Nebulas in terms of size, shape, and colour.
The entire space was filled with void, not the usual void that Stars produce, but void itself. If I were not transferring more of the dark energy through my body at such a rapid pace, I would have passed out.
With assurance, I made my way to the vacant seat. There were only four people in the space including myself. Kenos, who's the leader, stood up.
"Abyss, let's welcome our recruit..."
"Diavolos."
I answered. No one said a word or even looked at me.
"Is this the Devil Lord you've been yapping about?"
The red-haired man in the white outfit inquired.
"No, but I'll assure you he's far beyond the incomplete Devil Lord, for now."
Kenos replied.
"So tell me, what's so special about you Diavolos?"
He was already behind me as he spoke.
He thought I'd be impressed by his speed but I laughed it off. Raising one finger I spoke.
"I'm special because I'm the one."
Two chains of Dark and Azure energy seized him. He chuckled.
"Oh
"..."
"That's all for now."
He vanished without a trace.
"How about a tour to the Scarlet Peak?"
The Crimson Lord suggested.
"Not interested"
I disappeared, leaving the space after rejecting his offer.
To be continued...