The Contract of Darkness (4)

"With the Devil Crystal in a Recharge State, you can't access your Awakened Form, Master. I probably should've went over the energy levels of the Devil Crystal. I know this final test is gonna be the hardest one yet." Aponshe said. 

"It's fine, I'm still rather strong without my Awakened Form, but the opponents we face off against are growing rapidly due to them scaling to my power." I said and sat against a wall. 

"That's why it's mandatory for all Overlords to keep a Devil Shard in hand at all times as our Devil Crystals aren't only meant to power us up but an entire Domain. Luckily for you, I have a spare." Meliae said and snapped her fingers then held her hand out. 

Terradrake lowered his head to her hand then summoned the Devil Shard in her hand. Meliae handed it to me and I grabbed it. 

[Acquired the Devil Shard.] 

[Tip: Devil Shards have limitless energy stored inside that is made to support an Overlord's power unlike a Devil Crystal. Devil Shards have mana while Devil Crystals require souls.] 

"A renown Overlord like Raiyu doesn't know the most simple things like how to properly use a Devil Crystal? How was he able to even defeat Karius and destroy his church for the Stigma of Corruption?" Desdemona asked. 

"To be fair, I heard when he Resurrected he lost his memories. His existence is a strange one though. He wasn't killed in battle before he Resurrected. It was like a forced restart." Meliae said. 

Aponshe nodded and held her arms and looked at Desdemona. "Besides who are you to talk to my Master like that? Your hobby involves turning people into Ancient Mummies. My master is out here working hard while you're wrapping men in cloth." 

"It's hilarious that you say that. Firstly it's was a simple test to see if he's actually worthy for Kuragari's power. Also, you weren't really putting in any work. You were struggling against one Monster." Desdemona said. 

Aponshe scoffed and placed a hand on her hip. "A monster that had Invulnerability and Immortality. You call that a fair battle..? I guess I shouldn't be very surprised...you are the same woman who's partnered with the A+ Rank Monster, Ira and the sister of a literal Goddess who's aim is to kill us." 

"If you can't handle an Ancient Mummy, how can you handle a Legendary Hero let alone the Guardian of the Divine Domain, Karius? Honestly you're not such a good fit for Raiyu." Desdemona said. 

"Wh—" 

"Enough." I said and stood up. "Aponshe is fine the way she is, plus it is bullshit that the Ancient Mummy had Invulnerability and Immortality. Also you're the sister of the Shadow Goddess?" 

"I was never born a Demigod like Meliae. In fact I was killed by my own sister, but I came back to life after death due to the power of Ira. Our mother was a Grand Hero and our father was a Dark Lord. He's been dead for a millennia and Ira is actually the reincarnation of my father." Desdemona said. 

"I see." I said and crossed my arms. "I'm just gonna ask this to get it out of the way, will you join Astarfall with me and my allies? The Dawn Ages is approaching us and it would be nice to have the Dark Queens at my side during this Total War." 

Desdemona looked at me and smirked. "Hmph!~ What's in it for me? I won't just intertwine my domain with just anyone." 

"Well I mean, you'll be a part of my harem, who are boosted by my presence alone it seems, you'll have access to all of my facilities any time you please. You'll be able to acquire one on one time with me whenever you please. Plus you get to keep dominion over your Domain. I mean you'll basically have free will and more." I said. 

"It all sounds enticing, but I mean what are you going to do for me?" Desdemona asked.

"Anything a leader and lover would do? I don't know how you want me to answer. Unless you would like for me to show you." I said. 

"Show me?" Desdemona asked. 

I walked over to her and gently held her waist. She shuddered and grew aroused then blushed. I let her go and walked backwards. 

"What the hell was that..? I've never...in a millennia ever had a man make me shudder.." Desdemona said. 

"Well?" I asked and crossed my arms.

"I guess I can see where this all goes." Desdemona said and shrugged. 

[Desdemona has joined your Harem.] 

I nodded and looked at everyone. "Alright let us reach the Dark Throne. Let's finish this Temple." 

Everyone agreed and we set off to the Dark Throne. 

[Event: The Ancient Monster that swallows Light] 

We traversed to the final room that Kuragari led us to. The lamp posts leading to the final room began to light up and reveal purple flames. The air grew colder and soon we reached the Dark Throne Room. The doors opened and Kuragari walked toward the throne. 

"For many centuries, I have laid to rest, waiting for you to truly awaken. Raiyu...Grand Overlord, allies of Raiyu...it is time for your final test." Kuragari said and his body shined a dark purple. 

He began to evolve and his lower half turned into two humanoid legs, a black cloak surrounded his body and his head, his horns grew larger and his core shined on his chest. His black staff turned into a pitch black scythe made from dark energy. A black halo made from chains formed behind him and a Devil Shard appeared in the middle of the halo. 

"I am Kuragari, Lord of Darkness...The Ancient Monster that swallows Light. This is your final test, defeat me." Kuragari said and warped us to the final battlefield outside the Temple. 

[Warning: Boss Unit Ahead!] 

[Scanning...] 

{Name: Lord of Darkness - Kuragari (LV. 50)} 

Strength: D+ {215} 

Defense: D+ {200} 

Magic: D+ {260} 

[Tip: Kuragari is immune to the Light Element.] 

[Warning: Kuragari as activated his ability, Dark Gift!] 

[Notice: Kuragari is now Immortal. Defeat the Dark Mikos to get rid of his immortality!] 

Kuragari summoned three Dark Mikos and a barrier formed around him. The Dark Mikos summoned their katanas then dashed toward us. 

"Alright let's get this started!" I said and summoned my sword. 

I dashed toward the first Dark Miko and slashed at her, but she blocked the attack. I pushed her back and went for a powerful overhead slash, but she parried the attack then went for a counter. I blocked the counter attack then knocked her off balance. I struck her stomach and she groaned then I slashed upwards, knocking her in the air. Aponshe's orb slammed into her face then Aponshe warped toward her orb and kicked her back down. I grabbed her leg and spun around then slammed her to the ground. 

Desdemona thrusted her staff to the Dark Miko's stomach and followed it with an upwards swing. She knocked the Dark Miko upwards then fired multiple energy blasts at the Dark Miko then launched her away. The Dark Miko landed on her feet and vanished into her shadow. 

'What the hell..? Dark Mikos can do that now..?!' Desdemona asked herself and noticed the shadows split into multiple shadows then circle around her. 

The clones of the Dark Miko jumped up from their shadows, but Desdemona was already ahead of them and changed her staff into her scythe. She slashed in a circle and took all of the clones down. The real Dark Miko slowly emerged from her shadow behind Desdemona and tried to go for the assassination. 

Meliae launched the Dark Miko away with an earth energy beam then dodged the last Dark Miko's attack. She struck the Dark Miko with a back fist strike and hit her with a spin kick. Meliae struck the Dark Miko with her staff then tapped the bottom of her staff on the ground, causing roots to wrap around her legs, pinning her down. 

"Terradrake!" Meliae called upon her Nature Dragon and he roared. 

He began to gather energy from the sun, but it was slow since the sun was setting. He charged up what he could then launched a solar beam at the Dark Miko, striking her down. 

"Impressive, but this is only just the start!" Kuragari said and his barrier shattered.

[Notice: Kuragari is no longer immortal! Attack him now!] 

Kuragari dashed toward us and vanished then reappeared behind me. I sensed his attack and ducked under his slash then pivoted into a slash, but he disappeared into a puff of dark clouds and moved around the battlefield swiftly. 

Aponshe dashed toward him and swung her naginata at him, but he blocked each slash then palmed her weapon, knocking it out of her hand then it stuck to the ground away from her. Aponshe surrounded her hands with dark energy and began to try and strike Kuragari, but he evaded each attack. He parried her next strike then went for a counter. 

"Not on my watch!" I bellowed and kicked Kuragari away. 

Kuragari flipped backwards then landed on his feet. He launched multiple cutting waves at me and I blocked each cutting waves then launched a few of my own at him then fired energy blades at him. He blocked the cutting waves then deflected the energy blades. He launched a large orb of dark energy at me.

I tried to perfectly block it to I could deflect it back toward him, but my timing was off. I groaned as I was hit with the orb then it exploded, blowing me away. 

"Desdemona!" Meliae called out as she dashed toward Kuragari. 

"Let's do this!" Desdemona said and dashed toward Kuragari. 

Kuragari smirked and his dark aura flowed around his body. "Give it everything you've got, Overlords!" 

Meliae and Desdemona went for an attack at the same time on each side of Kuragari, but he blocked both of their attacks. He pushed them both away and released an omnidirectional wave of dark energy at them. They groaned as they were hit and knocked back. 

Aponshe appeared behind Kuragari and went for a spinning kick, but noticed her leg ripple through Kuragari. She was surprised then groaned as she was slashed by his scythe then launched away. Three orbs of darkness appeared above Aponshe then were launched at her, striking her and exploding. 

"I know there is more to this! Prove your worthiness!" Kuragari said and let out a battle cry then sensed powerful energy. 

I stood up and my Devil Shard shined brightly. My aura surged and I transformed into my Awakened Form. My wings emerged from my back and my horns protruded from my head. My eyes shined brightly and I looked at Kuragari then smirked. 

Kuragari watched me then he smirked at me. "Let's start the real battle.."

I walked forward then dashed toward him and went for a spinning kick, but he blocked it. I slashed at him, but he blocked the attack and pushed me back. He slashed at me, but ended up clashing with me. We clashed rapidly then on the last clash, I knocked his scythe out of his hands. I noticed chains were launched at me and jumped backwards. I blocked the beam of energy Kuragari launched at me from his core and slid backwards. 

"Even with his Awakened Form, it's not enough to take him down! Let's help him!" Meliae bellowed and activated her Devil Shard and transformed into her Awakened Form. 

Meliae had fairy wings emerging from her back and butterflies appeared around her. Her outfit changed into a leavy dress with thigh splits on both sides with a chest window and an exposed stomach area. Her staff shined golden and vines grew around her staff. The battlefield had flowers sprouting from the ground and a light green mist formed around the battlefield. 

Desdemona transformed into her Awakened Form and tossed her Scythe upwards then Ira caught it and got into his battle stance. 

"This is the battle I was hoping for! Come at me with everything!" Kuragari bellowed. 

[Notice: Kuragari has become Empowered!] 

I dashed toward Kuragari and slashed at him, but he dodged my slash. I went for a spinning heel kick, striking him and knocking him toward Aponshe. She palmed his stomach and uppercut him then launched multiple energy blasts at him. She tossed her orb in the sky and warped toward it then threw her orb at his back, knocking him back down. 

Meliae caused wood pillars to strike him from below then Terradrake swooped down and grabbed Kuragari with his talons then launched him to the ground. Roots emerged from the ground and rushed toward Kuragari then pierced him multiple times before a large vine swiped him away. Desdemona appeared behind Kuragari and Ira slashed at him, striking his back. She appeared in front of Kuragari then struck his core then multiple delayed strikes hit him and blew him away. 

"It's over." I said as I walked toward him and dashed toward him. 

Kuragari grunted as he fell onto one knee. I bellowed and my sword shined brightly. I struck his core with my sword and Kuragari grunted softly. His core shined then shattered. 

"Well done...you have...defeated me. It has been a while since I've known defeat. By working together, your strength in numbers was more than enough to take me down...You've passed the test and as your reward...I bestow upon you my contact...The Contract of Darkness. May we destroy worlds together in the future.." Kuragari said then slowly turned into energy particles. 

[Quest Cleared: Clear the Dark Temple] 

[Reward: Kuragari - Lord of Darkness] 

[Achievement Unlocked: Dark Temple Clear] 

[Reward: 100 Grand Tokens] 

"We did it...We did it!" Aponshe said and laughed. She cheered and clapped her hands together. 

"We...actually made a good team and we have one of the strongest Monsters in our ranks! The Heavenly Order stands no chance!" Meliae said happily. 

Desdemona crossed her arms and smiled. "I guess we do make a good team, but this is only one of the nine Ancient Monsters. It is a good start, however." 

With Kuragari within our ranks, Astarfall now has their Dark Guardian and our moral has increased by a lot. I was pleased by the progress we were making and couldn't wait to actually use Kuragari in later missions. Things were looking up...I felt more confident about the incoming Dawn Ages.

[Event Cleared: The Ancient Monster that swallows Light]