Hero Of Darkness

Chapter 1177: In the Jaws of Death

[[Author: Sorry for another break. I have been taking my sister to the hospital for Physical Therapy (which took 4 to 5 hours every day) for almost 2 weeks now, and that’s why I was always tired to work and write after returning home since both of my parents had to go to the office, and I’m the only one who could stay to look after her.

She has finally shown signs of recovery and can at least walk a bit now. So I will try my best to continue posting Chapters properly again.

Thank you for the constant support and being patient with me for the past couple of months.]]

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The Following Day...

Kahn and the group hid amongst mountains and even used caves while letting out the minimum world energy as if they were no different than mortals.

The map was still turning out to be helpful, while some key monuments still appeared around the landscape, but given how big Abyss Forest was, they had to be accurate in terms of directions while hiding their presence.

At noon, they departed for the remnants of the Abyss Empire’s former capital again, hoping to get at least halfway close by the next few days.

For the next couple of days, they reached halfway to their goal, hovering over a large city with dilapidated towers and few stone paved roads.

"To think these are still somehow standing even after 300 years... the architecture and construction methods must have been advanced," said Kahn as the flying ship hovered within an invisibility barrier.

"This is nothing. If the forces of other empires didn’t attack this place and then abandoned it for this long... all these towers, buildings, and paths would still be standing in all of their glory." said Argos.

"He is right. Back then, when I visited the capital of the Abyss Empire for a Non-aggression Treaty... the place was bustling and full of life. You could say that it was no less developed and technologically advanced than the current Rathna.

At least the people who once inhabited these lands are alive in that secret realm." said Rathnaar.

Vildred also took a look around and noticed a few facilities still holding on due to magic formations cast centuries ago. Although they were barely active and could no longer perform their intended purpose, he still acknowledged the achievements of the destroyed civilization.

Dragons never left their empire throughout their lives. Even those on pilgrimage spent a few decades visiting 3 to 4 empires at most.

So Vildred never had the chance to visit the Abyss Empire back then, and after he became the Emperor, he was bound to his duties.

Hence, watching the capabilities of others whom they had always looked down, made Vildred look upon the residents of this fallen empire favorably.

It was right then...

"It’s coming!" exclaimed Argos with disbelief, pushing the flying ship on full throttle.

BOOM!!

The ship now reached its maximum speed of Mach 3. Crossing the whole city below in just a few seconds.

"It’s at least a thousand kilometers away. How did it find us so quickly?" wondered the vampire sovereign.

"It didn’t... it must have been tracking us slowly, without rest.

I’m sure that there must be a trail left that even we couldn’t sense." said Rathnaar.

"Why does it matter now?! We’re as good as dead.

We need to come up with a way to survive." said Kahn, and started racking his brain.

Soon, an idea came to his mind.

"Listen to me... There is a way, but the chances of our survival are less than 10%." iterated Kahn with a hesitant voice.

"Ten percent is still better than none. Let’s hear it." said Argos.

******************

In just 10 minutes, despite its absurdly fast speed, the Godbeast finally caught up and just as soon as it reached a 200-kilometer radius, the upheaval began.

BOOM!!

An insurmountable and unfathomable amount of pressure descended upon the flying ship. Despite the great distance, their collective barriers, saint pressure, and world energy protecting the envoy... the group still froze as if invisible chains bound their ship.

Not just the ship but even their bodies could barely move; no longer were their lives in their hands.

And within the next 10 seconds...

BANG!!!

The ginormous body of the 10-kilometer-tall godbeast descended from the sky, shattering the nearby 10-kilometer radius landscape.

Even though it stood 30 kilometers away, they all felt like the terrifying being stood right next to them.

"Ah, the measly bunch is finally caught. I shall commend your efforts. No one has eluded my grasp so well for so long.

I would say you are on par with what they call a Peak Saint when it comes to running like rodents." spoke the Godbeast Baihu.

Just a simple voice transmission reverberated throughout the 50-kilometer radius, and everything, whether mountains, rivers, or marshlands... they instantly vibrated and fell apart.

The mountains crumbled like a sand castle, rivers evaporated and turned into steam clouds, while forests just turned into a green wooden floor.

Not a single living soul other than Kahn’s group survived the pressure emitted just by those words alone. This was the power of a Godbeast.

Godbeast Baihu’s eyes looked at the group, as if piercing their souls and shredding their entire being instantly. No one felt like they were in control of their own bodies anymore, as if someone had hijacked even their consciousness.

"Now speak, pests. Who are you and why have you dared to enter my lands?" asked the Godbeast, its maw revealing massive teeth, each being as long as 100 meters. While the fangs were close to 250 meters by their own.

"We, we were running away from enemies and had no choice but to enter your territory, great lord." said Argos after the godbeast took away some pressure from their bodies.

Even so, it was really hard for him to even open his mouth while the rest could only move their eyes at best.

"Is that so? Has the outside world become so strong that even a 9th-stage saint has to run away for their lives these days?" asked the godbeast, snarling at the vampire king’s response.

"We were in the middle of a civil war, and the opposition brought in 2 Sovereigns of their own. That was why we were desperate to survive and had no choice but to cross the borders of the Abyss Forest.

We mean you no disrespect, your greatness. We are simply people trying to survive." said Argos, adding more depth to his lies.

"Hah! As if I would believe your nonsense, you mosquito. An Eldritch Vampire at your rank can easily fight 2 other sovereigns.

I gave you a chance to explain yourself, but all you offered me was deception. So now, I shan’t show any forgiveness." said the godbeast, and the very next second...

Pop!

Argos’ body burst like a popping balloon, his flesh and bones scattered in the ship as everyone quivered with fear.

One of the 4 strongest saints of the present era... had died.

"Now your turn, dragon!" iterated the godbeast with cold eyes and grim voice.

"Did your Elder Dragon not inform you younglings that Abyss Forest is a forbidden land even for your kind?

You lot live a bit longer than these ants. How did you not know about the pact made 300 years ago?" asked the Godbeast as he focused his terrifying eyes on Vildred.

"Would you listen to my story first instead of flattening me?" asked Vildred, swallowing his pride.

"Explain. If I do not like your reason, I will break my word and kill you too.

No one is going to hold me accountable since you’re the one who broke the pact first." iterated the Godbeast in a domineering tone.

Vildred then recounted how he was sealed within the Maaskanzavir Formation by his brothers and how the man beside him passed the tests and freed him by binding their lives together.

And how due to his strength being limited, Vildred also ventured into the Abyss Forest.

He did intentionally leave out the fact that he was also the former dragon emperor.

"Hmm... so even those stuck-up lizards are no different than the primitive tribes. Acting almighty but ploying against their brethren for futile things such as power and authority." responded the Godbeast.

"You are correct, sir Baihu. This is also the reason why I did not know about your pact with the Elder Dragon all those centuries ago since I was sealed within that formation." said Vildred, trying to be as respectful as he could.

"You... I shall decide your fate later." spoke the godbeast and then glared at Morrigan.

"The vile species of the succubus; arghh... I do not like your pungent stench." said Godbeast Baihu.

Burst!

Just like Argos... Morrigan also exploded on the spot without even having a chance to speak or defend herself.

The High Priestess of the Cult of Darkborne, who had come to accompany Kahn in this dangerous endeavor due to her duty and devotion to her religion and God of Darkness... died the most meaningless death.

And finally... the Godbeast’s overwhelmingly scrutanizing gaze settled on Kahn. Its eyes suddenly widened as if trying to understand the meaning behind his existence.

"You... you aren’t just any normal human. Why is your body filled with so many bloodlines?

You even have the bloodline of the other four godbeasts!" it exclaimed with confusion.

"And how come I sense the traces of the Draconian, True Demon, and even the Primordial Titan bloodline in you?

Who the hell are you, human?" questioned the Godbeast with his tone filled with disbelief for the first time in centuries.

But before Kahn could even respond...

BOOM!!

The godbeast’s aura erupted, no longer maintaining its calm as its eyes turned wrathful.

"So that’s what you are! You haven’t been awakened yet and don’t possess the weapon. That’s why I couldn’t figure out your true identity.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter. I shall settle the old grudge..." spoke the Godbeast, baring its fangs at Kahn.

"Hero of Darkness!"