Chapter 1045 Reaching the next Godhood level II
Deep within the fiery pits of Mount Hades, Michael endured the excruciating pain of the lava melting his flesh. The intense heat pushed his limits to the maximum. According to the system, to trigger a heavenly tribulation and ascend to the Demi-God level, he had to undergo a trial by a specific element. In this case, it was the trial by fire. His mind, soul, and body were being tested to their utmost capacity as he braved the scorching heat of the molten pit.
Inside the lava where no one could see, Michael surrounded himself with the dark flames to endure the volcanic lava. As he was cultivating, his mind wandered into another realm. Soon, Michael found himself in a desolate, nightmarish landscape, the skies above a pitch-black void. Strange, shadowy creatures lurked in the darkness, their glowing eyes fixated on him. These monstrous beings were the illusions he had to face to ascend to the demi-god level.
The creatures appeared as dark, ethereal beings with elongated limbs and sharp claws. Their bodies seemed to be made of an ever-shifting, inky substance, and their eyes emitted an eerie, glowing light. Each creature had unique features, some resembling twisted amalgamations of multiple animals, while others seemed to embody the embodiment of fear itself.
These creatures were purposefully created by the universe to challenge and temper Michael as the God of Darkness. Every god had to undergo different trials to ascend to the next level of their godhood. While some trials were easier, others, like Michael's or Rudra, the god of war, faced much harder tests to reach the next stage of their divine power.
As Michael confronted the illusions, the whispers of the creatures echoed through the nightmarish landscape. Their voices were haunting, weaving through the darkness like sinister melodies.
"Look at him, stumbling in the shadows," one creature hissed, its eyes glowing with malice. "The Dark Lord, they call him. But does he truly understand the power he wields?"
Another creature chimed in, its voice sly and taunting, "Oh, he may think he's embraced the darkness, but he's yet to comprehend its true essence. Darkness is not just the absence of light; it's the embodiment of all that lies within the hearts of living beings."
Michael, battered and determined, could hear the whispers surrounding him. Despite the pain, he questioned the creatures, "What are you? Illusions born from my fears, or something more?"
A third creature slithered closer, its form shifting and contorting in the shadows. "We are the manifestation of your doubts, your insecurities, and your deepest fears," it rasped. "But we are more than just illusions. We are the echoes of the power you seek."
Michael's curiosity piqued, and he asked, "What do you mean, the power I seek? I am the Dark Lord, the God of Darkness. I have embraced the shadows within me."
"Oh, but darkness is not just about destruction and chaos," the first creature replied, its voice echoing with ancient wisdom. "A true God of Darkness has the power to harness and control the darkness within others. It is the power to influence minds, to manipulate emotions, and to bend the will of both mortals and immortals alike."
The second creature continued, its tone eerie and mesmerizing, "With darkness comes the ability to cloak oneself in secrecy, to move unseen through the world, and to strike fear into the hearts of those who oppose you. It is not just brute strength, but a subtle, insidious power that can control the very fabric of existence."
Michael listened intently, beginning to grasp the deeper significance of the darkness he wielded. "So, a God of Darkness can control the darkness within people," he pondered, "making them instruments of their will?"
"Indeed," the third creature hissed, "but it is not without consequences. The darkness can consume both the wielder and the wielded. A God of Darkness must master the balance between wielding this power and succumbing to its allure."
The first creature added, "And that is where true strength lies. The power to control the darkness without letting it control you."
As Michael absorbed their words, he realized that embracing darkness was not merely about brute strength or ruling through fear. It was about understanding the intricacies of the shadows and their influence on both the world and oneself.
The second creature whispered seductively, "Join us, Dark Lord. Embrace the true power of darkness and become an unstoppable force."
As Michael stood firm, empowered by his newfound understanding of darkness, he was taken aback as more and more creatures emerged from the shadows. They swirled around him, their forms shifting and twisting with malevolence. Their sudden attack left him confused and shocked, as just moments ago, they were whispering and conversing with him.
Before he could react, the creatures lunged at him, their movements swift and relentless. Michael tried to fight back, but his attacks seemed futile against these spectral entities. Their dark tendrils coiled around him, restricting his movements and draining his strength.
In the midst of the chaos, the creatures revealed their true intentions. With ghastly precision, they reached into Michael's very being, pulling out wisps of darkness that took the shape of his deepest fears. One by one, the shapes materialized into haunting figures.
Among them was Spectre, the mentor who had once turned him into a ruthless hitman on Earth. The specter wore the same dark, hooded cloak, his cold eyes locking onto Michael's. The memories of his past life as an assassin flooded back, stirring feelings of guilt and remorse.
Beside Spectre stood a tall, menacing orc, the very same one who had been possessed by the God of War Rudra's sliver of grace and attacked him on his wedding day. The orc's eyes glowed with malevolence as he wielded a wicked, blood-stained blade. The fear of losing his loved ones all over again gripped Michael's heart.
These manifestations of his fears and past experiences were overwhelming, and for a moment, Michael felt helpless against the onslaught. The creatures seemed to feed on his vulnerability, their sinister laughter echoing in the dark abyss.
However, as he struggled to regain control, he remembered the whispers of the creatures before their betrayal. The true power of darkness was not just about destruction but also about harnessing and controlling the shadows within. Drawing upon his new understanding, he steadied his mind and focused on the darkness within himself.
As Michael confronted the illusions, each attack from Spectre, the orc, and the creatures felt terrifyingly real. He was thrown, slashed, and pummeled by these spectral foes, causing immense pain and challenging his determination. With every blow he endured, the system instantly rebuilt his body, allowing him to persevere.
While Michael was confronting the darkness inside his mind, the lava, and dark flames slowly melted down his skin. At that moment, Michael's flesh slowly melted down, revealing his skeleton. But soon, the dark flames slowly coiled around every bone in his body and started to rebuild his flesh. The seed of darkness Michael acquired after completing a speed trial in the form of golden energy slowly infused with the dark flames to enhance his speed.
On the other hand, the system started to upgrade all his spells.
[The system has upgraded the Silenes spell to level 2]
[The system has upgraded the Meteor spell to level 2]
[The system has upgraded the Energy Devouver to level 6]
[The system has upgraded the Soul Eater to level 6]
[The system has upgraded the Soul Stare to level 5]
[The system has upgraded the Responsive Shield to level 9]
[The system has upgraded the Environment Scanning to level 9]
Inside Michael's mind, the battle against the darkness raged on. The creatures of darkness, led by Spectre and the menacing orc, relentlessly attacked him. Each blow felt agonizingly real, and the pain was intense. Michael struggled to hold his ground, feeling overwhelmed by the relentless assault.
But something inside him snapped. With a fierce roar, he unleashed a powerful shockwave that sent the dark creatures flying backward. The whispers of the creatures echoed in his mind, urging him to embrace the darkness, to feel the connection that bound them all.
His eyes closed, and he embraced the connection to the darkness, sensing the pulsating energy within the creatures. The whispers grew louder, goading him to tap into his true self, to embrace the darkness that was part of him as the God of Darkness.
Amidst the pummeling from Spectre and the orc, Michael opened his eyes, unflinching, as if welcoming the pain. He allowed the attacks to hit him without yielding an inch, drawing strength from the growing connection to the darkness.
With newfound clarity, he reached out with his hand, his touch suffused with power. He felt the beating heart of darkness within the creatures and understood that this was an integral part of his own power as the God of Darkness. With conviction, he crushed the darkness within them, absorbing it into himself.
As the dark creatures were stilled by Michael's actions, their whispered encouragements intensified. They urged him to embrace their essence, to become one with the darkness. Michael, now embracing his role as the God of Darkness, stood tall and unyielding.
With each dark creature he absorbed, he felt a surge of strength and confidence coursing through him. His form grew larger within his own mind, towering over the defeated creatures.
"Yes, embrace it! Become one with the darkness!" the creatures urged, their voices resonating with excitement.
Michael's determination was unwavering, and he continued absorbing the darkness within them. As he did, a new sensation washed over him - a power that felt innate, beyond the system's limitations. It was his own power as the God of Darkness, and it surged through him, making him feel more potent than ever before.
At that moment, he realized that he had always possessed this power within himself, waiting to be acknowledged and harnessed. It wasn't just a title given to him; it was who he truly was.
[Congratulations to the host for reaching Level 2 of the Godhood- Demi God Level!]
[An Innate power has unlocked!]
[Body reconstruction has 65% completed…]
As Michael battled the darkness within his mind, a sudden echo reverberated through the dark realm. It was the voice of the system, breaking through the haunting whispers of the creatures. As the system's voice reached him, the darkness began to gradually fade away, leaving a sense of clarity in its wake.
In the realm of volcanic lava, Michael's body was encased by the dark flames and the system's power. Slowly, he emerged from the molten pit, floating effortlessly in the air. The dark armor of the God of Darkness gently covered his once-naked body, bestowing him with an imposing and powerful appearance.
His hair, as black as the night, cascaded down to his shoulders, adding to his formidable aura. The transformation was complete, and Michael now exuded an air of confidence and strength as the God of Darkness.
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