Kael, the demonic spirit's words made no sense to him. The Kael he once knew, the one who defied death and had the power to overcome all darkness, now realized that his victory had been false. He may have won on the surface, but the fear and weakness inside him, like lust, had consumed him. The demonic spirit's explanations drove Kael deeper into darkness; however, on the other hand, there was still the weariness and feeling of defeat left from the battle.
The defeat he faced against General Ezekiel had shown Kael that even his immense dark power could not overcome him. The General was so powerful that even Kael himself had difficulty comprehending this power. The General represented a force and existence Kael could no longer understand; he was no longer human, but an Apocalyptic Twin. These beings were directly created by God, possessing powers unlike any other creature. Kael was shaken by this truth. He felt like he was prey in a way he had never felt before.
"Defeat is not a word you're familiar with, Kael," said the demonic spirit, a hint of sorrow in its voice. "But right now, you must accept the General's power. He is not like us. He holds a power far above everything. He fought alongside you in this war, but he will not stay with you. His soul is shaped by the will of God."
Kael took a deep breath for a moment and slowly asked, "But how… how does he gain such power?"
The demonic spirit paused before responding. "Because he is an Apocalyptic Twin. He was sent by God, a being far beyond human limits. There are twelve such beings in the world. Unlike us, they were created by God for a specific purpose. They are the ones who maintain balance in this world. But while the gods observe and control demons and their followers, they only exist where power reigns. Ezekiel's power is far beyond anything you can understand. He is part of a power shaped by God. Our power is darkness, his power is light. But that does not mean light is superior to darkness."
Kael's eyes darkened. Everything had gone far beyond the universe he knew. The demonic spirit saw that Kael was still struggling to accept this new understanding and decided to explain the truth further.
"I warn you now, Kael," said the demonic spirit, in a deeper tone. "The gods do not want a being like you to gain power. The reason I am so close to you is because of this. Our powers are somehow connected. But the gods see you as a threat. That's why the Apocalyptic Twins, who bear the same power as you, may come together to destroy you. If you don't want to win this war, stop using this power."
Kael felt as if the weight of the entire universe was crashing down on him. He realized that everything was a game, and that winning this war would mean bending the gods' wills. But no one in this world could challenge the gods. There were uncertainties about how much his power and soul could intersect with the other beings in this universe.
"So… winning this war will make me a target for the gods?" Kael muttered. "Then… what should I do?"
The demonic spirit looked into Kael's eyes for a moment before revealing a secret. "Then, never see yourself as alone. The forces of this world can control you, but you should not serve them. Do not leave yourself isolated, because only then can you truly discover your strength."
For a moment, Kael felt his anger in a brief moment of calmness. The demonic spirit had truly given him a warning. Whatever reason the gods had for giving him this power, there would be a price to pay. But one thing was certain: Kael was no longer just a pawn in the war, he was a part of power and destiny. This war could bring beings like him together, but Kael now knew what he had to do. He swore to take action against the gods.
Chapter Beginning: The Training of Dark Power
Kael had descended into the depths of the temple. The temple was a place woven with magic, existing beyond time and space. The demonic spirit was determined to teach him how to balance life and death here. Although Kael felt a sense of unease within, one thing was clear: this journey would not end until he found peace again.
The demonic spirit subjected Kael to a different test every day. At first, controlling these powers seemed impossible. Each day, as Kael tried to use his powers, his body would shake, his mind would strain, and at times, he would lose himself in the intoxication brought by his power. Slowly, day by day, he began to feel a bit stronger, but fear and the fear of losing control also grew. During those moments, all he could remember were the deaths of his family and the vows he made to take revenge.
As Kael's power was shaped by the demonic spirit, his physical limits were constantly being pushed. Physical training was inevitable. As his soul filled with darkness, his body had to be able to carry that power. By forcing his body each day, the demonic spirit was teaching him how to transcend the limits of death and nature. Whenever Kael experienced physical collapse, the demonic spirit would increase his pain, and each strike, each jolt, would feed Kael's dark power.
One day, Kael fell to the ground in an exhausted heap. His body was on the brink of collapse. The demonic spirit stood behind him, looking at him with a deep smile. "Come on, Kael. You need more strength to reach your goal. Feel your power and accept it."
With great effort, Kael pushed himself up and took a deep breath. His body was bleeding from every part, his muscles ached, but in the dark corner of his soul, he felt something else. The power that once caused him pain was now offering him a chance. The demonic spirit was giving him strength, urging him down a darker path.
"No one can match you," said the demonic spirit. "But you must learn to use your power. Otherwise, it will consume you."
Kael closed his eyes and gathered all his strength. Dark energy surrounded him, and as he touched the ground with his hands, he released that energy into the world. The demonic spirit watched in awe as Kael's growing power astonished even it. This was only a fraction of the potential power within Kael. But there was much more the spirit needed to teach him.
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Physical and Mental Transformation
As time passed, Kael's power continued to take shape. He was no longer just pushing his physical limits, but was also becoming more mentally resilient. At night, he would walk along the temple walls, learning to accept the intensity of his power. The demonic spirit always presented him with a goal, a problem to solve, and Kael learned to use his powers to find the solution.
Every day brought a new challenge. Some days, Kael had to battle a group of monsters. These creatures had been created by the demonic spirit beforehand, specifically to make him stronger. As Kael fought them, he began using both his powers and strategic skills to fight more effectively. Even though none of these creatures posed a real challenge, Kael was constantly leveling up.
The demonic spirit occasionally gave Kael direct instructions on how to control this power. "Remember," said the demonic spirit, "power cannot control you. You must control it. Only then can you truly be the master of darkness." These words left a deep mark on Kael's mind.
As he grew stronger mentally, Kael began to rediscover himself. The hope for peace transformed into a desire for revenge. Now, it was not just about vengeance, but the need to destroy his old world. The kingdom and the dynasty had taken so much from him. Their dark secrets and corrupt structures pushed Kael further down this path.
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Inner Destruction and the Rise of Darkness
During his time in the temple, Kael had become almost a new person. His body had undergone a massive transformation as his powers infiltrated his very being. Now, every muscle, every cell in his body was infused with darkness, making him stronger than ever before. Each night, the demonic spirit taught him a new ability. He learned to convert dark energy into physical power, communicate with all kinds of beings, and even speak with the souls of the dead.
One day, the demonic spirit gave Kael a task. "Now, you must test this power," it said. "And now, the real trial begins. Today, you will face enemies. Do you have the power to defeat them?"
Kael closed his eyes and felt this new power within him. Each passing day, the power he possessed began to feel like an addiction. He no longer wanted to stop. Every moment he listened to the demonic spirit, a new door opened for him. As Kael stepped outside the temple, his goal became clearer. He needed to win the war and exact his revenge.
However, how much of this dark power he could truly control and what price he would have to pay for it was still uncertain. The greater the power, the more dangerous it became.
Kael was now facing the strongest enemy he had ever encountered.
Ezekiel stood in the middle of the battlefield, each step shaking the very ground beneath him. Kael's mind struggled to regain focus, but the darkness inside him had seeped into every corner of his warrior spirit. He hadn't faced such a formidable opponent in a long time. The fire in Ezekiel's eyes locked onto Kael like that of a hunter. The cold expression on his face reflected years of training and preparation, all spent for this one moment.
Kael moved with the power coursing through his body, a burst of fury with each strike. After the training under the Demonic Spirit, his strength had reached its peak. Yet, despite this, the opponent before him seemed to push him further with every passing second. Ezekiel effortlessly countered every attack Kael threw at him, with a single blow sending Kael stumbling, almost to the ground.
Kael tried to rise again, launching faster strikes, but he struggled to match Ezekiel's strategic intelligence and speed. He attempted to combine the power, intelligence, and agility he had gained in past battles. However, Ezekiel had already prepared for every move Kael made. Finally, Kael made a mistake, and Ezekiel exploited the opening, slashing across Kael's right leg, throwing him off balance.
Seizing the moment, Ezekiel delivered a massive punch to Kael's chest. Kael staggered back several steps before collapsing to the ground. His vision blurred, but the demonic power within him gave him a chance to recover. Lying on the ground for a moment, Kael focused on controlling his breath and the pain in his body before pushing himself back to his feet.
"I've done this before... I can do it," Kael murmured, each word helping him gather himself once more.
Despite the pain, Kael resolved to attack once again. He charged forward, aiming at Ezekiel, but this time, he moved with a more strategic approach. Ezekiel anticipated Kael's move, but Kael attacked from an unexpected angle, putting pressure on Ezekiel's defense.
Ezekiel took a step back just in time, but Kael was now stronger. His muscles tightened, and the demonic power granted him speed, strength, and endurance. Kael moved faster and hit harder than before. Ezekiel, struggling to understand Kael's unpredictability, was being pushed back.
At this point in the battle, Kael's body was nearing exhaustion, but his determination and anger fueled him. Every strike he landed only fed his rage. The fire of vengeance in Kael's eyes marked that the end of this battle was near. Ezekiel's few defensive errors gave Kael the opening he needed.
Kael raised his right arm and made a final strike to Ezekiel's abdomen. The force of the blow sent Ezekiel stumbling back, and Kael, seizing the opportunity, tackled him to the ground. For a brief moment, there was silence. Then, Kael delivered the final blow, sending Ezekiel crashing to the ground. His body fell heavily, and Kael, out of breath, stood over him. His eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of victory.
However, Ezekiel's eyes were still moving. Kael stared at him in shock, questioning whether this blow had been enough. Ezekiel was gravely injured, but still alive.
Ezekiel's last words were whispered into Kael's ears: "You… I'm proud of you. But you must know… I am the weakest of the Apocalyptic Twins."
Kael froze, stunned. "What are you saying?"
Ezekiel gave one final smile before his eyes closed. "You've defeated me. But the others… they are not what you think. They are divine beings, Kael. This victory doesn't make you strong enough to face them. There is something you must do, but you are not yet strong enough."
Kael, looking down at Ezekiel's body, took a deep breath. "Not strong enough?" he muttered to himself.
Ezekiel's body fell heavily to the ground. Kael, still in shock, sank to the earth. His vision blurred, but those words spoke a truth he had not understood before. This battle had only been the beginning. The other Apocalyptic Twins were far stronger. Each of them seemed to be a being of divine origin.
And Kael understood this truth for the first time.