The Annihilator: Killer Of Gods

Inside his head, the voice spoke just one word, but it was enough to make Karsha feel his mind open up. The doubt he had been carrying instantly vanished, and his mindset shifted from skepticism to anticipation.

It was as if he had been expecting this voice for a very long time. Though he didn't show any of these emotions on his face, the man remained unaware. The voice had simply said his name: "Karsha," using his own voice.

The experience was strange yet somehow clear to Karsha. He felt a deeper aspect of himself coming to light. His understanding seemed to soar with every second he focused on the voice. He was tempted to explore this newfound clarity, but something held him back. He tried to dive deeper, but it was as if he were locked out of his own mind.

Questions swirled in his thoughts: 'What was that?', 'Where did this clarity come from?', 'Who am I?' But he had no answers. So, he turned back to the man, who had a lively yet bittersweet expression on his face. Karsha managed to read the emotion this time but didn't get the chance to delve into it before the man spoke.

"I can't tell you much about the seed, because that's all I know. In fact, I was instructed to mention it when I met you. You may not realize this, but I've known about you for a very long time and have been waiting for you."

Karsha looked at the man, skepticism etched on his face. Since he had transmigrated, he wondered if the man knew about Austin, not him, since he was just wearing Austin's skin. But he was mistaken.

"General Karsha Damon, third son of Dr. Kleo Illa and General James Damon. You enlisted right after high school because you wanted to follow in your father's footsteps and save lives like your mother. Your father died in the line of duty while you were still in training, and the day you graduated, your mother also passed away.

Yet you didn't let it overwhelm you. Instead, you channeled that pain and used it to drive you against the enemy. You rose through the ranks quickly and became a general by the age of 27. You also married your childhood sweetheart and had two lovely children, Michael and Michaela.

But everything came crashing down when you returned home one day to find your entire family slaughtered. You were framed for their murder and executed. And now, here you are, standing before me as a Grandmaster-stage cultivator with a destiny so immense that only few could carry it."

For a moment, Karsha was tempted to draw his swords and attack the man before him, but something held him back. His mind saw an opportunity, so he decided to press forward. "You know about the planet Earth?"

The man looked at him and smiled, then began speaking, "As I was saying, it is your destiny to be here at this very moment, talking to me." He sidestepped the question, but Karsha didn't dwell on it. He could tell from the system's guidance that he was too weak to grasp such matters fully.

"In fact, this entire world we are in is the legacy left behind by the Demon of Shadows. This place was prepared for your arrival. Now that you are here, you can finally embrace your destiny and walk the path of shadows as you were meant to."

"Can you tell me more about this legacy and how I can accept it?" At this point, Karsha didn't care about the risks. He was ready to gain additional strength, no matter the cost.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The man smiled and waved his hand. A scroll materialized, and the room plunged into darkness. When the darkness lifted, Karsha was met with a sight so horrifying that he took a few steps back to steady himself.

They appeared in a room that seemed to be filled with blood—or at least, that's what it looked like at first. At the center was a bath brimming with what appeared to be more blood, which seemed to be boiling or exuding vapor. The bloodthirsty aura emanating from it made it clear that this was no ordinary bath.

Hovering above the bath was the horrifying Mask that had brought him to Shadowfield, the red planet. The mask seemed to be absorbing energy from the bath. Karsha turned to the old man and asked, "What is this?"

"This is the bath," the man replied. "This is where you will accept the legacy and rebuild your body."

"Rebuild?" Karsha echoed, confusion in his voice.

"Yes," the man confirmed. "You might call it body tempering. You will temper your body in the bath so that the mask can fuse with you without much difficulty."

"The mask is the key to unlocking the legacy. By fusing with it, you will gain the right to undertake the Trial of Darkness. Of course, you're not expected to complete the trials immediately. Your task now is to accept the legacy and gain the mask's recognition."

The man continued, "There are seven trials in total." He retrieved a scroll and began to read from it, his expression serious.

"To fully inherit Zalgorath's legacy and unlock the full potential of the Mask of Malevolence, the chosen one must endure and overcome seven harrowing trials. These trials are designed to test your resolve, strength, and willingness to embrace malevolence while ensuring you do not sacrifice your will, soul, or love.

Each trial is a grueling journey into the depths of terror and evil, pushing you to your absolute limits."

1. The Abyssal Descent

The first trial plunges the chosen one into the Abyss, a dimension of pure chaos and darkness. Here, they must navigate a labyrinth of shifting shadows, where the very environment twists and turns to trap and confuse. They must confront their deepest fears personified as grotesque apparitions and resist the lure of despair that seeks to swallow their soul.

2. The Gauntlet of Souls

In the second trial, the chosen one must face the spirits of those who have fallen to the mask's influence. These tormented souls challenge the chosen one in a series of combat trials, testing their physical prowess and mental fortitude. Each spirit is a formidable opponent, representing the essence of malevolence that once consumed them.

3. The Mirror of Malice

The third trial involves confronting a twisted reflection of themselves in the Mirror of Malice. This doppelgänger embodies the chosen one's darkest desires and worst qualities. To succeed, they must overcome their darker self without succumbing to the temptation of merging with them.

4. The Trial of the Forsaken

The fourth trial requires the chosen one to traverse the Forsaken Wastes, a desolate realm where the ground is littered with the remnants of those who failed to save their loved ones. They must endure harsh environmental conditions, including relentless storms, extreme temperatures, and toxic mists that erode their willpower.

5. The Chamber of Nightmares

In the fifth trial, the chosen one is imprisoned in the Chamber of Nightmares, where they are subjected to their worst fears through vivid, terrifying hallucinations. These nightmares are so realistic that they blur the line between illusion and reality, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

6. The Pit of Betrayal

The sixth trial places the chosen one in the Pit of Betrayal, where they are forced to relive moments of betrayal and treachery from their past, and future. They must navigate a maze filled with echoes of these betrayals, confronting the individuals who wronged them and the choices they made.

7. The Convergence of Shadows

The final trial is the Convergence of Shadows, where the chosen one must merge their essence with that of Zalgorath without losing themselves completely. This involves a ritual that requires them to channel Zalgorath's power while maintaining control over their own will."

He put the scroll away and turned his gaze back to Karsha. "These are the Seven Trials of Shadow, and you must complete them within 300 years. If you fail to finish them within this time frame, your soul will be consumed by Zalgorath's essence, and you'll be turned into a mindless monster."

Karsha fell into deep contemplation, considering the severity of the trials. Each one seemed to be filled with unimaginable evil, demanding that he endure immense pain and torture to unlock the power hidden within the mask and beyond.

Despite the grim nature of the trials, Karsha remained resolute. His primary goal was to complete them swiftly so he could return to his quest. He had no idea how long he'd been away or how the Shadow Guards were faring in his absence.

"So, how are we going to proceed?" Karsha asked.

The man looked at him with a smile that was anything but cheerful. Karsha sensed that something significant was about to happen. But before he could ask any more questions, he felt his body start to float toward the bath.

"I've waited over 60,000 years for this moment. Young man, this old man is deeply honored to meet you before I take my final breath." As he spoke, Karsha's body was slowly lowered into the hot bath at the center.

"I, Teye of the Seven, have fulfilled the last wish of the Lord of Shadows. May my soul find rest among my brothers in the Land of Shadows." As Teye uttered these words, Karsha's glaive floated beside him. Although Karsha could sense he was controlling it, he hadn't intended for it to levitate.

"Once you are reborn, you will know what to do next. I leave you my Rune Knife and the Arcane Codex. Never stop drawing runes," Teye continued. Suddenly, the glaive shot forward and drove itself into Teye's forehead, killing him instantly.

Karsha was stunned by the man's actions. He tried to scream, but no sound emerged. He struggled to break free from the mysterious energy holding him, but it was futile. Desperation and confusion clouded his mind as he tried to figure out his next move. But before he could think further, something began to happen to him, and the system messages started to appear before him.