The Annihilator: Killer Of Gods

Zalgorath's expression darkened, and for a moment, the air seemed to thicken with tension. "You think you can just demand answers from me? You underestimate the complexity of what's at stake here."

"Maybe," Karsha replied, unwavering. "But I've had enough of half-truths and cryptic hints. If you want my help, you need to be straight with me."

Zalgorath sighed, realizing he couldn't bluff his way through this. "Fine. The truth is, the Abyssal Maiden's awakening is part of a much larger prophecy. Her powers are linked to an ancient force that threatens to disrupt the balance of our world."

Karsha raised an eyebrow. "An ancient force? You mean like a primordial evil or something?"

"Yes," Zalgorath admitted. "But it's not just evil. It's a force of chaos, something that predates even the oldest myths. If it awakens fully, it could consume everything in its path."

"And Lady Illo is the key to this?" Karsha asked, his concern growing.

"Yes," Zalgorath confirmed. "Her powers are the only thing that can either seal this force away for good or unleash it upon the world. That's why her awakening is so dangerous. If she can't control her powers, it could spell disaster for all of us."

Karsha took a deep breath, processing the gravity of the situation. "So, it's not just about helping her control her dark side. It's about preventing a catastrophe."

"Exactly," Zalgorath said. "And there's more. Others know about this prophecy, and they will stop at nothing to either control her or destroy her. You need to be ready to face them."

"Who are these others?" Karsha asked, his resolve hardening.

"You don't need to know that," Zalgorath said dismissively. "It's not like you can do anything to them with your current self. What you should be focused on now is how to help the Abyssal Maiden control her power."

"Fine," Karsha conceded. "Tell me then, how do I help her?"

"The last time, I helped her using the Abyssal Key, but that only allowed her to channel a seventh of her power," Zalgorath shook his head in regret.@@novelbin@@

Karsha was taken aback. If what Zalgorath said was true, it meant the terrifying Abyssal Maiden only managed to use a seventh of her power. It sounded almost exaggerated. How could someone so powerful be using just a fraction of their true potential?

"I know what you're thinking," Zalgorath continued, reading Karsha's expression. "But it's the truth. It's also dangerous. When she starts to awaken, you have to find all seven keys."

"Seven keys?" Karsha echoed, trying to wrap his mind around the enormity of the task. "Where are these keys? And what do they do?"

"The Abyssal Keys are ancient artifacts, each one capable of unlocking a portion of her power," Zalgorath explained. "They were scattered across the realms to prevent anyone from harnessing her full strength. Finding them won't be easy. They are heavily guarded and hidden in places that are nearly impossible to reach."

Karsha's mind raced with questions and concerns. "How am I supposed to find them all? And what happens when I do?"

"When you find all seven keys and use them to unlock her full power, she will finally have the ability to control the darkness within her," Zalgorath said.

"But be warned: each key you find will draw more attention to you and to her. The forces that wish to see her power sealed or destroyed will stop at nothing to prevent you from succeeding."

Karsha felt the weight of the task settling on his shoulders. "So, I need to get stronger, find these keys, and protect her from those who would seek to harm her. Anything else?"

"Yes, when you become strong enough, the location of the first key will be transmitted to you. It's the safest and easier to claim so be sure to not fail when the time comes" Zalgorath said.

"I won't," Karsha said clenching his fist.

Zalgorath smiled grimly. "You'll need allies. This isn't a journey you can undertake alone." His expression shifted to a sinister smile as he continued,

"You have already accepted my legacy and will soon take the Seven Trials of Darkness. This is good for you."

Karsha's eyes narrowed. "The Seven Trials of Darkness? What are those?" He already knew what the trials were, but he had to ask the engineer behind them.

Zalgorath's laughter echoed through the cavern, full of evil and foreboding.

"The Seven Trials of Darkness are ancient tests that will push you to your limits and beyond. Each trial is designed to break you down and force you to confront the darkest parts of your soul. Only by overcoming these trials will you gain the strength and power needed to guide the Abyssal Maiden."

Karsha felt a chill run down his spine. "And if I fail?"

"Failure is not an option," Zalgorath said, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "If you fail, you will be consumed by the darkness, just another lost soul in the void. But if you succeed, you will emerge stronger than ever, a true master of the shadows."

"So you've already arranged everything, huh? Talk about manipulative bastards, you and Nfang are the same," Karsha sighed, shaking his head. Zalgorath smiled, clearly pleased with Karsha's exasperation.

"Don't be disheartened," Zalgorath said, his tone taking on a mocking edge. "I don't do things for nothing. These trials are full of rewards beyond your imagination. If I were you—which, in a way, I am—I would prostrate myself at my own feet."

Karsha couldn't help but snort. "Yeah, sure. Because that's exactly what I want to do right now."

Zalgorath chuckled. "You'll see, Karsha. The trials will push you to your limits, but the rewards will be worth it. Power, knowledge, and abilities that only a handful in history have ever possessed. Think of it as an investment in your future."

"An investment, huh?" Karsha muttered, more to himself than to Zalgorath.

"You will find out soon enough. Just don't die before then; it would be bad if your life were cut so short," Zalgorath said with a sly grin.

Karsha smiled back, his eyes narrowing slightly. He could tell this bastard was planning something, and for once, he wanted to know what. "You always have something up your sleeve, don't you?"

Zalgorath's grin widened. "Oh, you have no idea. But trust me, it's all for the greater good."

"Your definition of 'greater good' and mine might be very different," Karsha replied, crossing his arms.

"Perhaps," Zalgorath conceded. "But in the end, you'll see that everything I do is necessary. Now, enough talking. You've got preparations to make and allies to gather. Time is of the essence. For fuck's sake, kill those bastards already and raise your strength. They're just two guardians—why waste time on them?"

"Easy for you to say," Karsha retorted. "But don't worry, I'll be taking care of them soon enough." He himself felt the frustration of wasting time, but he also knew it was part of the process. Soon, he would deal with the guardians and ascend to the next level of his power.

Zalgorath's form flickered, almost as if he was getting bored of the conversation. "Just make sure you do. The longer you delay, the more vulnerable you become."

Karsha nodded, the weight of urgency pressing down on him. "I know. I'll handle it."

"Good," Zalgorath said, his voice fading into the shadows. "Remember, everything hinges on your success. Don't screw this up."

As Zalgorath disappeared, Karsha took a deep breath. The pressure was immense, but he was determined to push through. He couldn't afford any more delays. Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

Karsha's thoughts turned to the guardians he needed to defeat. They were formidable, but he had faced worse. With the right strategy and a little bit of luck, he could take them down and absorb their power.

"Ah, why am I thinking of this? In front of absolute strength, all scheming and strategy are useless," Karsha muttered to himself. He stood up, sighed deeply, and then his figure faded into the shadows.

Inside the room, Karsha opened his eyes, feeling the lingering effects of his conversation with Zalgorath. As his senses sharpened, he heard the soft sounds of someone crying. Turning his head, he saw Lady Illo sitting beside him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Illo," he called softly, his heart aching at the sight of her sadness. She looked up, startled by his voice, and her eyes widened with a mix of relief and sorrow.

"Karsha, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "I was so scared. You were unconscious for so long."

Karsha reached out, gently wiping away her tears with his thumb. "Hey, it's okay. I'm here now," he whispered, his voice soothing. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "I'm sorry I worried you."

Lady Illo buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with quiet sobs. "I thought... I thought I lost you," she choked out, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly.

Karsha kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering on her soft hair. "You didn't lose me. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere," he murmured, his voice filled with reassurance.

He tilted her chin up gently, looking into her eyes. "I promise, Illo. I'll always come back to you. No matter what happens, I'll always find my way back to you."

Her tears slowly subsided as she gazed up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and vulnerability. "I was just so scared," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Karsha leaned in and kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, tasting the salt of her tears. "You don't have to be scared anymore," he said softly. "We're in this together, and I'll protect you with everything I have."

His lips found hers in a tender kiss, conveying all the emotions he couldn't put into words. Lady Illo responded, her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, becoming a silent promise of their bond and their future together.

When they finally broke apart, Karsha rested his forehead against hers, his breath mingling with hers. "We'll face everything together, Illo. You're not alone."

She nodded, a small smile breaking through her sadness. "Thank you, Karsha. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," he replied, his voice firm with determination. "We're stronger together. We'll overcome everything that comes our way."

As they held each other, the world outside seemed to fade away.

In that moment, nothing else mattered except their connection and their love. They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could conquer anything.