A dark blot formed in the sky.
So ugly and magnificent that everyone could watch in sheer horror and awe. This blight that darkened the whole world towered above everyone and everything else, doused in the ooze of darkness.
The ooze converged and formed a man. The man had white hair, and black-like veins around his pale body. His eyes glowed purple, and everything around him seemed to grow distorted as a result of his mere presence.
"Haa…" Misty breath escaped his lips as he looked at his hand. Dark Energy converged there, and he inhaled the mist it produced.
"So, this is it? The power I have sought after for so long."
He had built his body to be strong enough to contain it. He had left his primary Core dormant, and even created multiple hollow Cores so he could absorb as much Dark Energy as he could. And now… he had gotten it!
Unlimited energy, newfound power. He could feel his desire getting fulfilled—to be the strongest in the world, and even beyond. His wish is to possess all the Magic and be supreme.
The means were now in his grasp.
He had won!
"There's still so much power to tap from. Haha… I really did it!"
As his cackle echoed across the dark skies, certain people watched from beneath. Their faces told various expressions—not that he cared to notice.
He only sought the one man he wanted to gloat to.
"Do you see, Neron? Do you understand now? Hahahaha!"
However, even though he gave the most maddening laughter, tearing through everything with the echoes he made, Neron's gaze remained unfettered.
It almost felt… detached.
'You're supposed to feel impressed—no, threatened! You should look up in awe or fear—maybe both! Show me something! This isn't the kind of face you should be making!'
Neron's unimpressed expression ached his heart, but it also brought about a blood-curdling thought.
'D-did he expect this too…?'
That couldn't be, right? RIGHT?!
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*
'As expected, he had a countermeasure…' Neron's thoughts trailed as he watched Jared's elevated position—how he oozed so much Dark Energy.
'I'm a little envious, but I can't be in too much of a rush.'
Neron knew the amount of Dark Energy above him was enough for him to achieve his goal—wiping out Magic from this world.
However, that was only one piece of the puzzle.
'Mana won't be an issue. I thought it would be difficult to achieve, but after learning Spellcraft, it shouldn't be too difficult to tweak a few things to achieve the desired result.'
Spreading Dark Energy into every nook and cranny of this world, ensuring the quantity and quality were well-regulated, he could get rid of all the environmental Mana. Once that was done, he'd only need to use it on the living creatures.
'That would be more complex, but it won't be difficult.'
All he had to do was generate a formula that would Induce 'Ineptness' in anyone who consumed it. Considering everyone had different qualities and quantities of Mana, the major hurdle he had to cross was administering the right dosage to them.
'I'll also have to account for timing. The effects have to take place as close to simultaneously as possible, so everyone can lose their ability to use Magic at an approximately similar time.'
If it was a worldwide phenomenon, it would remove suspicion from him as a malefactor. Or, even if he was still spotted as the origin, he could always show them the utopia he wanted to create.
'There's still a lot of work to be done before then, though. I'll need to do more experiments and research to arrive at the perfect formula—preferably one that automatically administers the right amount of Dark Energy to nullify a person's Mana.'
Then, there was the BIGGEST obstacle he had to face.
'The otherworld Jared. He's been of tremendous help to us, but he's also detrimental to the plan.'
Words could not describe how much he respected and even admired the Jared that had come from another completely different reality.
He liked how easily they understood each other, as well as the mutual understanding they shared. He especially admired how, despite the tremendous power he possessed, this Jared would rather help others and assist in their growth.
'He uses his powers for the good of others, and he also desires the welfare of those who should be nothing more than strangers to him.'
Neron genuinely saw Jared as a good friend—a comrade who could understand his ideals.
Unfortunately…
'Despite his good intentions, I'm also certain he has caused his fair share of misfortune thanks to the use of Magic. He must have also suffered a lot of hardship as a result. In the end, Magic is the same everywhere.'
He would have loved to pitch his plan to Jared. He had even hoped they could work together to actualize a relatively more peaceful world without the use of Magic.
Regrettably, he could already see how impossible that desire was.
'He loves Magic. I can see it. There's no way someone like him would understand. Even if he does… he won't accept it.'
Neron could already see Jared as a hindrance to his plan, and as long as he remained in this world, he couldn't actualize it.
'I already know I'm no match for him.'
That was why he had to be patient. Even with his grand prize above him, he had to hold back his desire and play his part in ending the devastating battle that had occurred for far too long.
'Still…' As Neron thought of Jared, something that had been bugging him for some time now resurfaced.
'Where is he, anyway?'
They had been carrying things out according to plan, and Jared should have already been done with transporting all their allies.
'I thought he didn't want to make his move until the portal stabilized, but what about now?' Neron could only contemplate in his head as he kept up his poker face.
"What should we do now, Neron? He has succeeded in fusing with the Dark Energy." Karlia asked, looking worried as she stood beside him.
In response, Neron could only leak out a short sigh. Their plan ended at stopping Jared before he could reach the portal. There was nothing after that.
'But, I can't just say that, can I?'
His hair instantly turned white, and energy danced around his body. In a flash, he transformed into his heightened state.
"We just have to do whatever we can." He spoke, and a wry smile formed on his curled lips.
"We'll do all we can to stop Jared."
*
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*
I watched the fight from a distance, observing everything thanks to my immense perception.
I could already sense everyone on the other continents, seeing as they rushed to the Eastern Continent thanks to the dark blot in the sky.
'So, that is this world's version of me, huh?' The resemblance was uncanny.
What got my attention the most, however, was the swirling portal that murked up the sky and supplied Evil Jared with so much power.
'To think I initially concluded that it was Nether when I first heard the story…'
Now that I was looking at it with my very eyes, I knew better than to make such a skewed comparison.
NO, Dark Energy wasn't Nether at all. It wasn't even close.
'It's just Miasma.'
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[A/N]
Alright! Looks like a lot is about to go down. Do you think Neron (Alter) will get to clash with Jared?
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