Chapter 430 It's Your Turn
After seeing everything through Raziel's eyes and standing in the presence of the progenitor of dragons, Asher came to realize that Drakaris was not a peak Soul Devourer but something far beyond with abilities and wisdom he couldn't comprehend.
The fact that his blood force had the power of a Deviar could only mean that he couldn't be a mortal.
This made him wonder what or who Drakaris really was and what happened to him.
Drakaris revealed, "I am not a mortal, nor am I a devil. If I were, I wouldn't be confined to this place, nor have my powers limited by this realm."
Asher's curiosity piqued, "How can someone as powerful as you be stuck in a tower?" he asked, his tone laced with incredulity.
Drakaris' voice rumbled through the void, a mixture of regret and acceptance, "Raziel departed before me. He apologized for leaving but expressed his weariness of this world. He longed to join his mother and Selene and everyone he loved in the Seven Hells."
Shock registered on Asher's face, "The Devourer committed suicide? I heard he vanished in the Tower of Hell. Everyone thought he was there to conquer it." The original content can be pinpointed to n0v3lbin•
Drakaris corrected him, "Raziel didn't take his own life in despair. He was satisfied with what he had built. He was of great age and had fulfilled his promise to me. He passed down my teachings and birthed a new era. He had nothing else to offer this world. It was his time, and I saw no reason to stop him."
Asher, absorbing the gravity of Drakaris' words, felt a pang of understanding. Raziel's choice resonated with him.
In Raziel's place, he might have made the same decision, seeking a final peace with his loved ones.
"Then why are you still here?" Asher asked as his question lingered in the air.
Drakaris' voice, echoing with a tone of sacrifice and duty, filled the space, "I remain because of my duty and the pact. When my time came, I knew I couldn't linger in the physical realm. So I allowed my body to perish, trapping my soul in this tower built by the devils – the only entity capable of sustaining me for years to come. My purpose became to find someone who could accomplish what Raziel began: conquering the Severed Realm. Raziel was the first to attempt it, but lacked the necessary motivation nor was this realm prepared."
Asher absorbed this revelation, understanding now why Raziel was known as the first Demon King, and why each successive ruler bore the same title.
He could only imagine how powerful the Bloodburn Kingdom must have been in the past to strike such terror back on Earth for so many years.
Curious, Asher inquired, "Then why didn't you ever try? Surely you could easily overpower the Hunters without even trying."
Drakaris' response was steeped in the constraints of his role, "I am forbidden from such actions. My duty is to maintain balance and nothing else. And do not underestimate the Severed Realm – it too has its guardian."
Asher's eyes narrowed as he pondered this. He remembered the myths and legends of human history he learned as a human in his past life. He was beginning to realize that he had yet to learn about stuff that really mattered.
Asher then asked, "You mentioned you were here because of the pact. What did you mean by that?"
Drakaris' voice resonated with the weight of centuries, "Even in my current state, my soul enforces the pact. It's crucial to ensure that what Raziel painstakingly built isn't undone. However, I must admit, the way things have unfolded has been a great disappointment, though not unexpected."
"It is a sword, but it is not meant to be used as a weapon but as a key," Drakaris explained, his voice echoing with a gravity that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the blade, "You can use this sword to protect your kingdom from any dangers for a while. Place it in the heart of your kingdom, and no one will dare attack. But be very careful where you keep it. This is a very unique sword and cannot be stored in any dimension other than the one you are standing on. In the wrong hands, it might threaten the safety of the entire realm."
With a mix of intrigue and uncertainty, Asher reached out, his hands grasping the hilt of the great sword. As he withdrew it from its stony sheath, a surge of unimaginable power coursed through him.
[ Item Name : Void Reaver | Enhanceable]
[ Grade : ??? ]
[ Status : Unpowered]
Asher could see that there weren't many details about the sword, but he could guess this sword was definitely not forged by a mortal.
"How long will this sword protect my kingdom?" Asher inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.
Drakaris answered, "It will protect your kingdom as long as there are enough Deviars left to power it. But beware, this sword uses unimaginable energy, more than necessary for what you wish to use it for. I wouldn't advise you to use it longer than a year or two unless you want the Deviars of your kingdom to lose whatever power they have. This sword devours any energy you throw at it."
Asher, his expression a mix of relief and newfound resolve, understood what this meant.
The sword could safeguard his realm, but at a potentially devastating cost. He knew he needed to grow stronger, to stand against the draconians and shield his kingdom without relying solely on the sword's voracious appetite for power.
Otherwise, the sword will only end up weakening his kingdom even more and leave it completely vulnerable.
Drakaris spoke again, his voice tinged with weariness, "It's time. You may return to your world, and I can allow myself to rest. I have to thank you for giving me a chance to release myself after all this time," As he spoke, his enormous wings, spanning kilometers, began to unfurl, stirring the air into a frenzy and causing the ground to tremble.
Asher took a step back, the gusts of wind from Drakaris's wings causing him to fall back.
He felt a strange sense of sentimentality and a tinge of sadness that Drakaris wouldn't remain in this world any longer. He wondered if it was because of Raziel's memories.
To Raziel, Drakaris was not only just his Master but was like a father figure as well, who guided him for his entire life and taught him the ways of the world.
With a deep bow, Asher said in a sincere tone, "And I will be forever grateful for looking after my kingdom and its people. I will finish what Raziel started as you want me to."
Drakaris, ready to depart, hummed before saying his final words, "Remember one thing always...In the shadows of deceit lies the truth you seek. May the darkness guide you."
With that, his massive figure took flight, ascending into the crimson skies, leaving the realm behind.
Asher watched with a confused expression as Drakaris disappeared into the horizon.
What did he mean by saying that? Or why did he say that?
However, in the next moment, he felt an encompassing darkness envelop him, a sensation both familiar and yet something that reminded him that he was going back into the world filled with nothing but danger.