Chapter 160 A Meeting Within The Dark
"...I guess I'll take elder sister Bella with me." He decided, as he chose to return back to the Silver household for now, to let Juliette know about the new arrangements.
Internal conquest of yet another Stronghold.
At the same time, before he leaves, he had to let Adonis and Fiona know about couriers of Time and Space related Classes within their circle of influence. A week or two should be enough to have information about them.
~~~
A few hours after Damien's thoughts finalized.
Within another city in the Shade Stronghold.
In a completely dark room, where no visage of light could find its way within. A place so dark, it seemed like no sane person would choose to reside within.
And yet one did.
One such man did.
"...what do you want?" A dreary voice seeped out of the darkness, as if the one speaking wasn't a person, but the darkness itself.
"Now now, why don't we calm down?" Another voice soon followed after in response. Laid back, and a bit playful.
"..."
The voice within the darkness did not respond, as from the corner of the room, a source of light suddenly ignited itself.
Like a piece of paper being burned within the night, the source of light stood out within the room. And as it stood out, it shone light into its soroundings, revealing a small frog standing atop a book shelf.
A frog... that seemed rather strange.
"Ah, sorry sorry. Forgive my rudeness. I just can't stand the darkness you see." The frog spoke without opening its mouth, or moving an inch of its body.
"..."
The voice within the darkness did not say anything. And that, promoted the frog to speak up once more, "I also don't like the silence. So forgive my rude behavior, if I somehow talk too much." It added.
"..."
The voice wit– the darkness remained silent.
But the frog did not seem to care one bit about that. Instead, it continued. It's tone a bit enthusiastic. "So, how about a job?" It inquired.
"...a job..?" A response finally came.
A subtle inquiry escaped the darkness, prompting the frog to respond. "Yes. After all, you were a bona-fide killer, weren't you? The third ranked assassin, now ranked second?"
"The Darkness Within, a man so powerful, he seemed so in-tune with the darkness, he became an urban legend. Its stated that once you are within the darkness, he is aware of you, and can kill you instantly. That is how you are described."
"Those who step within the darkness, and live to see tomorrow, are said to have received your mercy. You're quite a monster, you were a literal god to us... but after the first ranked assassin eliminated your rival, you've been hiding away from the eyes of the world."
"..."
"You've been absorbed into the darkness, I doubt you've seen light for the past few years." The frog said, and of course, that was impossible.
Even if he desired to stay here forever, the Darkness Within was still human. He had to eat, drink, or even answer the call of nature. He could not stay cooped up within this room every second of the day.
The Darkness Within, did not respond.
But the frog did not seem to care much about his response. "After the Night King perished so easily at the hands of the King of Assassins, you realized that even when revered as a god... you were nothing."
"..."
"It's like... "If I am a god, then what is that thing that could easily take my life considered?", is what you live by now, isn't it?" The frog playfully inquired.
But the Darkness Within didn't respond to that either. Instead, he responded to something else entirely. "...if you want me to do something that is related to the King of Assassins... give up... I'm not doing it." He said.
"Mhm. Its not related to her. Instead, its related to the Adams... I want you to do me a little favor, and attack the princess of Romania under the protection of prince Adonis." The frog said, adding as if to taunt, "Even as a withered husk, you can do that much, can you not, Darkness Within?"
"..."
And the Darkness Within sighed. A sigh so deep, it felt as if the darkness around him had thickened. "...what's in it for me..?" He inquired.
"Ah, we can discuss that just fine." The frog happily replied, before adding, "You were revered as a god, but truly, weren't one. You were just human. A much more talented human. And you know that much yourself, right?"
"..."
"The same applies to the Night King and the King of Assassins. The former died because he was also human, while the latter killed him because she was just more skilled. But ultimately, all three of you are still humans." The frog continued speaking, despite the silence of the Darkness Within.
It's unmoving gaze, that has yet to blink ever since it appeared, remaining locked onto the darkness before it.
"...what are you getting at..?" The Darkness Within inquired, his tone now a bit laid with displeasure.
"Now now, let's calm down. Let me finish." The frog said, it's tone contradicting it's expression. "You were not truly a god, which is why defeat was all but assured... yet what if, you were to truly become one?"
The frog finally laid down its chip, and the Darkness Within took a bit longer to respond. He was shocked, truly so.
Because why... would he even believe that such fairytales exists?
Yes, the world they were in was one of magic and mystical proportions, but gods were a mere delusions the first generational humans envisioned.
Most of the second generational humans did not believe in such beings. And even though the might of the third generation proved a bit of such beliefs, most still did not buy it.
After all, third generational humans were only smarter, faster, stronger, or just more talented than first and second generational humans.
Meanwhile, the so called gods could command miracles and wonders, control the weather, alter nature, and even create worlds. What third generation human can do that?
Not even the perfect son of Gray could, let alone ordinary third generational humans.
Such things were impossible–
"–Even if they've suddenly gained power from this cryptic thing called The Primordial Source, third generational humans still don't completely qualify to be gods. Is what you're thinking, right?" The frog finished up the Darkness Within's thoughts.
As if it could read through his mind, like an open book. And this action immediately silenced him.
But the frog cared less as it continued, "That is true. Since everyone has the blessing of The Primordial Source, everyone might as well as be gods in that case."
It said, and though subtly, the Darkness Within nodded his head in agreement.
But then with a tone full of temptations, the frog added, "But what if I told you I can truly make you a god. Or rather, I can give you a platform where you'll make yourself a god. A genuine god."
Genuine godhood.
The frog finally revealed its true hand to the Darkness Within. A hand that held a special offer within the center of its palm.
"...why should I believe you..?" But the Darkness Within still did not bite the bullet yet. He was a professional assassin. Not a simpleton. "...and what would that even do..?"
He added.
Yes, godhood. Such a tempting thing.
Who in their lifetime, never dreamed of becoming a godlike entity? Or a god in fact.
But what would that do, when the gap between him and the King of Assassins was as vast as the Heavens and the Earth.
"A god is a god. A mortal is but a mortal. What can the latter do unto the former?" The frog responded as such, "If the records are true, then a mortal can't damage a god. Even if you don't attack the King of Assassins, were she to attack you, you would definitely survive."
It added, and the Darkness Within once more remained silent. The frog had a point. But why should he trust it, when the person speaking can't even reveal his true identity?
"As for trust... honestly, I am weaker than you. Even as a third generational human. As someone who is ranked top three amongst second generational humans, you can best 70% of us. If I were to just reveal my identity, you can come kill me anytime. That is, if the information I give you is false." The frog then added after a while of silence.
And those words, silenced the Darkness Within.
Why? He wondered. Why didn't this person go for the chance to become a god themselves? It was suspicious.
"I am weak even amongst my peers. I am just a bit smarter, that is all. Me attaining godhood would only give me protection against mortals. But if you were to become one, I would get a powerful god as an ally." The frog responded as such, then added after a pause.
"If, by chance, other people also become gods using their own means, as someone innately powerful, you can defeat them... In essence, having a god capable of battle by my side, is better than being a god myself."
"..."
The Darkness Within once more remained silent.
And this time, the silence ensured until he let out yet another sigh. A sigh so weary, it shook the darkness he was submerged within.
"...reveal your identity..." He responded at last.
And the frog's tone took on quite the jubilant mood as it responded. "I'll take that as a yes to my suggestion. Now, for my identity... I am the first prince of the Adams royal family, Axel J. Adams. Looking forward to working with you, Darkness Within."
"..."
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