Hero of Darkness

With a swift and decisive movement, Kahn put an end to the Chimera's suffering. The chapter of darkness and manipulation that the guardian had orchestrated was now closed, leaving behind only the echoes of its malevolence.

As he looked down at the lifeless form before him, Kahn couldn't help but contemplate the similarities and differences between himself and the fallen Chimera.

In a sense, the chimera before him shared a similar life as Elric. Both had traumatic childhood and their parents played a part in it. 

Both had experienced pain and trauma in their pasts, shaped by their upbringing and circumstances.

However, this Chimera guardian had given in to the anger and hatred while Elric had fallen into loneliness and distanced himself from his family.

Their beginning was similar in a way but their life choices created a different path for themselves.

Maybe in another reality, Chimera and Kahn would have a decent conversation and maybe they'd be able to understand or even console each other.

In another world, under different circumstances, perhaps Kahn and the Chimera could have found common ground and shared stories of their pasts.

Maybe they could have been allies or even offered solace to each other's wounded souls.

But the reality of their situation had dictated a different course, one of confrontation and ultimately, the Chimera's demise.

The weight of Kahn's actions was palpable in the air.

The somber truth remained - in a world defined by survival and conflict, the boundaries between right and wrong could blur in the face of necessity.

Kahn's decision to end the Chimera's life was a testament to that harsh reality.

The clash with the Chimera, the battle of minds and wills, had shown him the depths of darkness that could reside within an individual.

It had also affirmed his conviction to protect his identity and the truths he held close.

In the grand scheme of things, Kahn's actions were pragmatic, reflecting his determination to protect his own identity and keep his past hidden.

"System, absorb!" Kahn's command echoed in the air.

However, the response from the system was less than satisfactory, with a tone of reluctance in its voice...

[Error! The system has failed to use the Ability Absorption divine ability on the subject in front of the host.]

Kahn's brow furrowed as he considered the situation...

"Hmm… He does not have a core as well. And for some reason, I still can't absorb their abilities."

His mind cast back to a similar instance in the past.

"The last time I finished Zolvik, the darkness assassin guardian, I had indeed tried to use the Ability Absorption divine ability, but the same message rang in my head."

"It's as if none of the guardians are living beings in the first place." He pondered aloud, his voice carrying a hint of frustration...

"Even though I too took a glimpse into his past using his own ability..." Kahn's voice dropped to a contemplative tone.

"There was no explanation on his history or exactly what kind of life this guardian lived."

"And why was he inside the God's Domain in the first place?" he questioned the mysteries surrounding the guardians.

As Kahn muttered softly, his thoughts seemed to be spiraling with even more questions, further deepening the enigma that surrounded these entities.

The more he thought about it, the more questions arose in his mind.

"Well, it's not my problem. All I have to do is ger Maximus safely to the God's Altar and then enter the peninsula created by God of Darkness through the Realm Tear that's in the last region.

Once I do that, I can return safely without anyone knowing my truth and then leave the Beast Empire using some sort of excuse." he spoke to himself.

This was the main objective he had in mind. To help Maximus properly Limit Break, keep his identity hidden till then and enter the God's Domain created by the God of Darkness.

So that his core wouldn't crumble to dust and he would return safely.

After interrogating Zolvik, Kahn had found that there were 3 Realm Tears in the last region where the God's Altar was situated and among them, were the realm tears leading to the peninsulas created by God of Lighting, Goddess of Knowledge and finally, the God of Darkness.

So it was evident that Kahn would have to accompany the Hero's Party all the way till the end and only then would he be able to succeed.

And finally, his life and identity would be at peace.

----------------

As Atreus rejoined the party, he was met with a scene that he hadn't quite expected.

The aftermath of the mental ordeal caused by the guardian's skills had left his companions in a state of deep turmoil.

"Why am I still alive? What's the point of achieving strength if I can't be happy and content in my life?" spoke Rolakan.

"I am a sinner. I have brought nothing but shame and dishonor to my family and clan." spoke Speki, his eyes weeping.

"Fuck this! I don't want to be here!

I want to be freed from the responsibilities of my family name and the clans.

I just want to live away from this societal pressure and live a life of solitude!" spoke Borat in a helpless tone.

"Die! Die! I don't deserve anything. I should die!" said Conan with lifeless eyes and grabbed both his legs in embrace as he sat on the frozen floor.

Their voices reflected defeated minds that they had recovered from after Kahn killed the Chimera and his ability stopped working on them altogether.

However, unlike Maximus and Kahn, none of them had succeeded in breaking past those nightmares and overcoming their inner regrets.

They were still stuck in limbo and were abruptly pulled out into the reality after Kahn killed the guardian.

Hence, their minds were still in shock and hadn't been able to come to terms with the reality.

Some of them hadn't even realized that they were brought back into the real world and no longer were inside the dream realm.

"Did you find him?" Maximus inquired of Atreus, concern etching his face.

"Found and Obliterated." Kahn's response was firm, carrying an air of finality.

"Thanks. I find myself relying on you to solve problems when I should be leading the charge.

It's quite pathetic, in my opinion." Maximus acknowledged his frustration at not being able to fulfill his role as the leader of the group.

Atreus' response held a touch of understanding.

"It's not about fault, Maximus. Different challenges require different skills.

I may excel as a weapon, but leading that weapon is your forte.

Besides, this one I had to deal with personally." he spoke in a solemn tone.

"Why? Did he get under your skin too?" Maximus' curiosity was evident, understanding that facing these guardians inevitably brought out strong emotions.

"Something like that. He managed to dredge up memories I'd rather forget, trying to pull me back into a version of myself I've long outgrown and are quite ashamed of at this stage of my life." Kahn revealed, offering a glimpse into his motivations without revealing the full truth.

"I can relate. He used my family against me in those nightmares, triggering emotions I thought I had long buried." Maximus nodded in understanding.

With a shared understanding of the emotional toll the encounter had taken, Kahn then posed a question to Maximus...

"So, what do we do now about them?"

"Let's give them time to recover psychologically. They're in no condition to travel or fight.

Pressing on now would only burden both of us further." Maximus suggested, his practicality evident.

Acknowledging the wisdom in the suggestion, Kahn nodded, and together they set about creating a temporary camp to provide much-needed respite for their battered comrades.

----------------

Shatter!

A dark, crimson crystal within the castle shattered violently, allowing the heavy doors to swing open.

Within the doorway emerged the silhouette of a mysterious figure, his anger palpable.

"These useless, pathetic fools! They're falling like dominos before a bunch of amateurs!" His voice seethed with a mixture of rage and disappointment.

"Centuries of preparation and they can't even eliminate the new Hero of Nature? Are we doomed to remain imprisoned here forever?" His words dripped with bitterness and frustration.

Summoning a telecommunication artifact, he established contact with the fourth guardian.

"The fate of our plans rests on your shoulders now. Fail, and there will be no redemption." his words carried a sharp threat.

"I assure you, my lord, I will not fail." a feminine voice from the other end responded with unwavering determination.

In a valley shrouded in an eerie darkness, filled with black seawater and hovering islands, a castle loomed atop one of these floating landmasses.

Inside, a winged woman with silver hair and blue eyes, adorned with horns like a crown on her head and wearing revealing attire awaited.

Her voice held an alluring and cryptic tone as she addressed an unseen entity.

"Welcome to my domain, Hero of Nature." her words dripped with a seductive charm along with an arousing appearance that would invoke the basest desires in males regardless of their species.

She then proclaimed with a beguiling voice...

"Give in to your temptations and desires."