Chapter 50: Power of the Void

*** Author's Note ***

There is always the feeling of dread in my heart when I dish out lore.

For it can either make or break the story.

On other note, a review posted on the story made me open my eyes into using grammar checker. I never knew they existed and I am glad that I now know of their existence.

I am going to update previous chapters with grammarly to fix most of spelling and grammar errors that I missed. Which is a lot. Although I will leave some phrases or words for the sake of creative freedom.

Anyway, enough of long notes. Time to dig in on the chapter of the day! Enjoy!

***

I turned around and saw a figure standing 20 meters away from me. He is about 3 meters tall, his body was thin with abnormally long limbs with arms that reaches up to his knees and hands ending with sharp claws that are at least 10 cm long. In his back was a pair of wings that stretches up to 5 meter long which resembles that of a dragon which have phalanges, only his wings looks ragged, with tears and holes all over. In his head was his hair that looks more like smoke than actual hair as it rises into the air, and his face. His face is stuff of nightmare. Two horns protruding in his head and mouth filled with jagged teeth that is at least 5 cm long. His nose looks like it was ripped out from his face and in its place was two holes in his skull. The skin in his face was full of wrinkles which makes him more hideous.

Last was his eyes, his eyes which is pitch black, and the more I gaze at it, the more I feel my whole being is being sucked into it.

"What are you?" I asked the figure in front of me.

"Hooh? You see my true form? Interesting…" The creature uttered. With a single flap of his mighty wings. Straightening his posture to reach his full height, my heart is about to jump out of my chest as the creature becomes more intimidating up close. Seeing my alarmed expression, the creature smile, seemingly enjoying the sight of dread. "You ask what I am, but that is not important. Let me instead tell you who I am." Unfurling his wings, his whole being begins to exude immense power. "I am known as M'agorath, The Fierce. Your way of fighting impressed me human. Such anger, such savagery. I never took Andalor to be so thoughtful to find someone so suited to my taste."

"What?" Suited to his taste? Is he going to eat me?

The creature known as M'agorath laughed a laugh that shook my very being. "Hahaha! Never mind that human. Let's get back to the business at hand." His stretch his clawed hands in front of me. "Answer my question. Do you want power? The kind of power that will make your enemies shaking in their boots?"

What is happening? Is this real? "You offer me power. Why do I even need it? I am powerful in my own right."

"Hahahaha!" The creature laughed again and I clutch my chest from the pain of just hearing his laugh. "You call that power, human? That is nothing but child's play to one such as I. Not even worth lifting a finger against. Let me demonstrate." With his hands behind his back, his energy became almost unbearable as it press against me and I was thrown back from just its' pressure. "Do you feel it now human? That vast chasm that separate you and your kind from one such as I? But don't fret. I feel magnanimous enough to share this power with you. For just a small price."

A small price he says. But what does a creature of this magnitude may even want? My soul, I bet. "Whatever you're selling, I am not buying." I said while trying to look as calm as possible.

"Oh? Is it possible that you are not impressed with what little power I showed you earlier?" He then pointed his hand to his right. His energy then focused on his palm. He then shoots it to a distant. After a few seconds, a loud explosion could be heard. The incoming shockwave forced me to shield my eyes from the incoming dust clouds. Once everything settled. In a distant was a crater at least 100 meters wide and 20 meters deep. "How about that for a taste? Feeling warmer now human?"

What power! I don't think even a dust of me will survive if I get hit with that attack. "What do you want from me?" I asked M'agorath.

"What I want is not important human. What do you want? Oh! Also better be quick. Every second we're here, your body is nearing its limits." The creature said.

"Huh? What are you saying? I feel alright." What is this monster saying?

"How about I just show you." With a wave of his hand, it's as if there is an oval shape tear of about 5 meter high and 3 meter wide in the fabric of reality. After a few seconds, the oval shape tear shone and once it died down, I began to see something in it.

"That is me! How is that possible?" The view that was being shown in the tear was me, being surrounded by the four mages from before. My body is covered by more of the dark energy as it is continually being pelted by fire, lightning, ice, and earth by my enemies. "I need to come back to my body, fast!

"Don't worry human. When I pulled your spirit here to the void, I left some of my energy to protect your body, and don't worry. Since I enjoyed watching your fights. It's free of charge."

"You pulled my spirit? How did you even do that?" Damn it. My body is taking a beating. It is also not healing like before. "Also, bring me back to my body!"

"First. Pulling you here is easy. For how, it is because of what is inside of you." He then run his claw to my chest. "Second, what do you think you could do once I return to your body? If you are not aware, these mages know of your weakness and how to exploit it. If not for my intervention, you would've already lost."

"I don't know! But if I don't do something, they will surely take my body!" I say in panic.

"Well. How about taking my offer? If a sliver of my energy could make them unable to penetrate your defense, imagine what you could do with more? I couldn't wait to see the look on their faces as you stomp them to the ground. Imagine all the punishment you will rain on their puny little heads. Hehehe." The creature seem happy, ecstatic even as his imagination runs wild. Seemingly remembering himself, he coughed before speaking once more. "So. Are you ready to take my offer human?"

"You offer me much. But what do you want in return?" My heart races as I await his answer. Whatever it is that M'agorath wants, it will surely not be in my favour.

"Small thing actually. Not even worth your time." He said as he pick on his sharp finger nails.

"Tell me." I insisted.

M'agorath then sighed before speaking once more. "Okay. You will learn about it sooner or later, wouldn't matter if I say it now." He then look me straight in the eyes with his dark and soulless eyes. "I want to merge with your soul." He declared.

"Merge with my soul?" I was dumbfounded at what I have just heard.

"Yes. Merge." He reiterated. "We will be two soul inhabiting your body. Once we merge, you will be able to access my awesome powers. To freely use however you wish."

"And this will not affect me in anyway whatsoever? You're just there inside my body doing nothing? You're not going to control my thoughts and make me do evil deeds like you did earlier?" I asked him.

"Are you implying that the things you did while fighting those weaklings are because of me? Hahaha! You sure are funny, human." He laughed heartily. "To answer your question, no. I did nothing of the sort. It is 100% you. You are such a savage little monkey."

What? So he did not control me whatsoever? So all that wildness, that savagery, all that was me? How could that even be possible? During that time, I was not feeling me. I feel… Free.

"Either way, be thankful that I even offer this option human. For I tire of explaining things to you. Haaahhh. Sometimes I wish that weakling Andalor is here. He enjoys dialogue as much as the other low tier demons." He then suddenly shuts up as if he bit his tongue.

"I knew it!" Somewhere in my heart, I wish he wasn't. That he only looks evil but is secretly benevolent. Sigh… I am in deep shit. Somehow I wish I was back in my body, getting pelted by spells in every direction. It is much better than here with an actual demon right in front of me.

"So you knew. What are you going to do about it? You're not seriously thinking of fighting me are you? Don't even think of trying to go back to your body. As long as you're using your powers, you will never be free of me." M'agorath is wearing a smug expression as he speaks in a mocking tone. "Don't worry. It will take time for our soul to be fully merged. While the process is taking place, I will let you do anything that you want with my powers. Kill, rape, rampage. Anything you desire."

"What if I say no?" I asked as I get ready to defend myself. Don't know what I could do. But if I am going down, I will go down swinging!

"Then I will absorb your soul, here and now. Although I would prefer merging, I will not hesitate to absorb you. If only to have access of your body. But be warned. If you chose to fight me. I will not only take your soul, but I will make you suffer before I do." He smiled evilly.

"Then I am afraid I will decline." I answered before launching myself forward. Since we are not even a meter apart, I quickly delivered a hail of punches and kicks on the demon.

M'agorath was just standing there, receiving all of my attacks like they were nothing. Not even my full powered punches is doing any damage against the demon, much less solicit any response. "I see. Truly a man after my heart. I too hate talking. It is not my forte. Besides, hitting people is much more fun!" In an instant, I was grabbed by his long hands. I can feel his claws digging into my skin, drawing blood. After that, he suddenly threw me high up in the air.

"Woaaaahhh!" I can feel my insides tighten as I start to fall after reaching at least 20 meters in the air.

Then suddenly, I was grabbed again mid-air by the demon. Just when I thought I was not going to die from falling from dizzying heights, the fucking demon suddenly threw me with such force that I was embedded to the ground.

"Gaaaah!" I pitiful sound escaped my throat as I feel my innards and bones crush from such fall.

"Oooopppsss! Did I kill you already? Sorry. It has been a long time since I played with someone. I was so excited that I couldn't control myself." The demon descended slowly and floated above me. "Oh! You're still alive! Good thing you are durable. I wouldn't want our game to end in such an anticlimactic way."

He then continued to abuse my body. Breaking the bones on each fingers in both my hands and feet. Throwing me around like a ragdoll. Breaking both my arms and legs. Cutting my arm and beating me with it. After all the punishment that I have endured, I was even surprised that I still haven't lost my sanity, much less alive.

"You're a tough one to crack, human. Most of your kind would've succumbed by now. Oh well. All the more fun for me! Hahahaha!" M'agorath laughed maniacally as he threw me with much force, that I began skidding in the ground for God knows how far.

Fuck! I don't even have Ki to heal my wounds, if it is even remotely useful here. I don't think Ki will help me regrow a lost limb. What can I even do to fight against such a monster? I don't even have anyone who I can absorb energy from since I am here inside the Void. Huh? Inside the Void. Maybe I could do something after all.

"Still haven't given up, pathetic human? Good! After all, breaking a toy is the fun part." He then proceeded to lift me by my head and proceeded to smash my face against the ground.

God damn it hurts so much! But I must not succumb! I must fight! I hold on to the last strands of my sanity. The memory of my family waiting for me. For them I must not fall! Mages, Demons, whatever this crazy world may throw upon me, I will overcome them all!

I began to try something that is not particularly new. It was a feat that I was able to do way back before Philip and his party captured me in the Elven Forest. I remember entering a lush forest before I sleep and when I wake up, everything around me is dead, like the very life was sucked out of every living organism in my vicinity. If my hunch is correct, that is because I was unconsciously absorbing energy in my surroundings while not even needing for direct contact like I did in the material plane. Somehow after getting the blood seal from the elf Alora, that ability was somehow nerfed to direct touch. But here in my spirit form, I am not restricted by such seals. That means…

"Aaaaaahhh!" I yelled at the top of my lungs as I try to absorb the energy from my surroundings.

"Trying to absorb the energy in the atmosphere are we? Futile effort. There are no Mana here for you to absorb. Only the Void, and absorbing much will surely kill mortals, even demons like me. So you should---" The demon was suddenly silent.

I can feel it! I'm! "Gaaahhhh!"

***

Impossible. Is he really a human? Not even a demon like me, no, even demon lords, don't have the ability to absorb pure Void energy.

The Void, a vast space between worlds were the aspect of space and time doesn't apply. Demons such as myself were born with an affinity to the Void. Which gave us the ability to absorb mana to make ourselves stronger. Although, it also gave us the insatiable hunger for more, which led our kind to travel from planet to planet to absorb its energy till nothing was left, leaving the dead planet to be reclaimed by the Void. After that, we will go forth and look for another planet to invade. Although it is still possible for our kind to die due to exhausting all of our Mana reserve while travelling inside the Void, the allure of Mana and the strength that comes along with it is something that is worth the risk.

Thus, demons like me were sent to seek for other worlds to invade, after which we create a portal for others of our kind to go through.

In our pursuit of Mana, we often come across beings who were loved by the so called Gods. Who they save from being utterly annihilated and put into another planet to repopulate. In time, the planets that we could invade for its' natural Mana became lesser and lesser. Not only that, but few of those we discover are surrounded by a defensive field that makes it almost impossible to breach. Facing such difficulties, the eldest and the wisest of the Demon Lords had an idea.

We scatter the knowledge of the Void and its' use to gain unimaginable power to the inhabitants of various worlds we could invade. Keeping some survivors alive in hopes that those idiot Gods would save them transfer them to a new world. At such time, the agents that we hid amongst the population will work to entice the inhabitants to use the forbidden knowledge and breach the Void in search for knowledge or power. In turn, they become beacons for us to follow, and their Void-touched bodies can act as a bridge for us to pass through the defenses laid by the Gods, and have access to our full power.

Thus, this should be something to rejoice, for not only have I finally found such a mana rich planet, wherein being the first to enter such a planet would mean that I have the opportunity to absorb more mana than others, possibly turning me into a greater demon, or possibly even a demon lord, I also have in front of me the tool of which I could enter the world to. Unfortunately.

"Gaaahhh!" The human shouts as the energy of the Void rages in his body. Normally the energy he had just absorbed would've tainted his Mana, which in turn makes the body disperse it back to the Void, and basing in the amount of Void energy he absorbed, it should've killed him ten times over. Instead, he is getting more powerful.

"Andalor, you imbecile! What kind of being have you brought upon me?" I will torment that fool until he wish to be sent back to the abyss where he would further be tormented. But before that. "You think this is enough to scare me? M'agaroth The Fierce? Think again puny human! You are nothing to me!"

There was no response from the human. He was just standing there with his newly grown limbs and seemingly perfect body. His rate of recovery is astounding. He must be a Master in the Restoration Arts. To be able to heal this fast. No matter. Not a problem that can be fixed with a quick decapitation. With a quick swipe of my claws, the wretched human's head flew from his body. All that is left is for me to absorb his spirit and steal his body for my own. But what unfolds right after I decapitated him surprised me.

His head that was separated from his body, flew back and reattached itself. What kind of magic is this? With another swipe, blood gushed out of his neck as his head dropped from his body. Which quickly returned to its place like nothing has happened. "Grrrr! Why don't you just die?!" I swing my clawed hands repeatedly, shearing his head and limbs from his body, only for them to reattach themselves.

What is happening? I've seen every healing magic possible and not one of them could possibly do something like this! It is like… It is like time is rewinding itself. Returning his body to a state where he is in perfect condition. How could this be possible? Is this a power of the Void we don't know of?

"Die human!" Frustrated at the situation, I cut the wretched human into ribbons. Only for him to regenerate again. "Grrrr. If you won't die from being cut. How about if I reduce you into nothing but dust? Prepare to be disintegrated human!" The human still doesn't respond, he was still standing there. Mocking me. This could not stand! I gathered my energy in the palm of my hand. This attack is 5 times stronger than my attack earlier. With this, not even his dust will survive! I flew up in the Void sky and pointed my palm at the human. "Time to die!" with that, I let the energy loose towards the human. Within a few meters of his body, the energy exploded, enveloping the area with intense force that could destroy anything in its vicinity. "I did it!" I shout in triumph. But then something dawned upon me. "Oh no! If I disintegrated him, then there is nothing left for me to absorb. Then I won't be able to steal his body! What have I done?!" I lamented. So close. I was so close to all that Mana. But I let my temper in the way of the power that should have been mine. I slowly flew down to the ground as I drown in my sorrow. But then I sensed him again.

The turned around to face the direction where I felt the energy. Once the dust settled, it was clear. He's alive. But how? There shouldn't be enough time for him to cover 1 kilometer in a second. Could he used the Void energy to boost his speed to run to safety? No. It's not possible. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "I don't know how you survived. But I am glad that you did. I almost lost a body there. Now, how about we reduce you to dust that I could still absorb?" I pointed a finger at him and fired a disintegration beam. But before the beam hits, he disappeared. Only to reappear a meter to the side. Did he just do a quick sidestep? Then how about if I do it in close range? I then flew towards the human and with my finger right to his face, fired a disintegration beam. Which also hit nothing as the human disappeared right in front of me, only to reappear behind me. This is starting to get into my nerves! Attack after an attack, either he regenerates from the wounds I gave him, or to impossibly dodge pointblank attacks. I finally stopped attacking the human as I start to feel tired.

"This is getting nowhere! Not only is he unkillable while in here, he is also doing some kind of technique that is unknown to me in order to dodge attacks that are supposed to be impossible to dodge! If this continues, I will exhaust all of my energy way before I could kill this human." I should have killed and absorbed him earlier while I had the chance. Right now, while he is in that state, while he is here in the Void, he is untouchable. I'll return his spirit back to his body, cutting his supply of Void energy. Then once he is vulnerable again, I will kill him outright. No more talking. I thought as I send his spirit back to his body. One thing is for sure. This human must be prevented in mastering his powers.

Even if I can't take his body for my own, Andalor is still out there. Even if this human should perish, Andalor would surely find me another suitable host. Hopefully someone who is not a freak of nature. If not, he should pray to the Demon Lords that I don't find him back in the Abyss. For I will make himl yearn to be erased from existence once I am done with him.