Allyce shot off toward the energy she could feel building in the air. The closer she got, the more she felt like she was flying through tar. The energy disgusted her at a primal level as she feared the worst.
‘What’s the Devourer up to? I have to reach Exile before it’s too late!’
As the war on the mountain was coming to an end, the players in the air and on the ground shivered. All warmth seemed to vanish from the air, and their movements became sluggish. This didn’t stop them from hunting down the remnants of the Stalkers. However, there wasn’t a single player that didn’t feel fearful of the strange energy emanating from somewhere on the mountain.
“What are you doing?” Mikari roared as he struggled against the disgusting energy leaking from Exile.
“I’m ending this!” Exile roared back as the sludge of Dark element coursed around his body.
Exile scowled as he struggled to make the element flow smoothly. ‘Allevia may have threatened me if I feed this power. But I’ve got to use my greatest weapons to end this threat.’ A pitch-black rune slowly formed on Exile’s palm as Mikari continued to hold the beast down.
As the rune came to completion, Exile could sense it as Nar’Kozz’s attention focused on him, and the divine beast almost seemed content. However, Exile did not hesitate and slammed his palm onto Nar’Kozz’s back!
‘Devouring Palm!’ Nar’Kozz roared as dark energy flooded its body. Mikari frowned as the Devourer seemed weaker by the second as he found it easier to keep it pinned. ‘What did my brother do?’ He could feel the sickening sensation in the air moving toward the giant beast.
‘This doesn’t feel right.’ However, there was nothing he could do. Mikari didn’t have access to the same information that Exile did. So he couldn’t understand what was going on. At that moment, someone who did understand arrived on the scene.
Allyce’s eyes went wide as she glanced from Nar’Kozz to Exile. It only took her a few seconds to make sense of the situation.
“Exile! You must stop!” Allyce screeched as she flew toward him. “Stop this madness, now!”
‘But, it’s so good!’ Exile answered in his mind. Nar’Kozz’s stats were flooding into Exile’s body, overcharging him. However, Exile failed to notice the tainted energy of the beast flowing along with it. The euphoria of the sudden burst of power blinded him to what was happening.
A sphere of dark energy exploded from Exile’s body, creating a barrier around himself and his prey. Allyce came to a stop in mid-air, and even Mikari reacted by jumping away from the changing situation.
“What’s going on?” Noslin asked as she ran up to Mikari.
“I don’t know.” Mikari sighed as he slowly shook his head.
“Lord Exile is using the dark element to take Nar’Kozz’s strength for himself.” Allyce cut in as she glared at Exile. “As the Devourer grows weaker, Exile becomes empowered. This is a dark power, one that could corrupt him.”
“What does that mean?” Mikari asked as a grim mask descended on his face.
“It would mean my nest, and I would be banished from our tribe. Terrible consequences would appear in the mortal realms through his followers, and Exile may be labelled as a dark god.”
Noslin frowned at Allyce’s statement. “What do you mean he could be corrupted?”
Allyce shook her head as she observed Exile. “He may become addicted to the power of the dark element. If that happens, he’ll seek out ways to improve his control over it. Which will lead to stronger abilities designed to feed his addiction to growing stronger.”
Mikari felt helpless as he watched his brother’s eyes turn dark. “Is there any way to stop him?”
Allyce considered the question as she studied the barrier. “You’d need to move through that barrier and break his contact with Nar’Kozz. But that barrier will likely feed on your stats and grant them to Exile. As he is now, I sense you would have difficulty in taking him against his will. We can only hope he cuts the connection himself before he’s too far gone.”
Meanwhile, Exile felt a presence within his mind. “You are worthy.” The Devourer said as it took an ethereal form within Exile’s mind. “Worthy of what?” Exile asked as he focused on the internal dialogue.
“To carry on the will of my master.” Nar’Kozz grinned as he peered into Exile’s memories. I present you with a choice, young god. Take my power for your own, and use it to illuminate the darkness in the light.”
“What’s the other option?” Exile asked with mild curiosity. He could feel Nar’Kozz’s life force dwindling under his spell.
“I could serve you. Stand by your side and guide you through the darkness. Together, we could return things to how they should be.” Nar’Kozz snarled.
Exile wavered for a moment as he studied the ethereal beast. ‘Nar’Kozz would be the greatest asset we could have hoped for.’ He pondered what the future would hold with such a powerful beast at his disposal. However, there was one problem.
With their thoughts linked like this, Exile could feel the boundless hunger that Nar’Kozz possessed. Images of the beast growing stronger while devouring Exile’s allies and enemies alike flashed through the latter’s mind.
However, two images truly made him feel disgusted with Nar’Kozz’s offers. Exile watched as in one he sacrificed his Pantheon to the beast to make Nar’Kozz grow stronger. In the second image, Exile massacred Ragnarok to steal their power for himself.
Exile shrank away from those thoughts before his eyes narrowed. ‘That’s not what I want.’ He relaxed his mind as he reached out to truly feel what was happening with his spell. The dark element within him was steadily growing, and he could feel the connection as Nar’Kozz funnelled its consciousness into him through the link with the spell.
‘If it keeps up like this, I could end up with a piece of Nar’Kozz in my thoughts. Constantly driving me down a dark path.’ However, there was something that surprised Exile. His control over the dark element grew easier the longer he maintained the connection.
Exile clenched his jaw as he forced himself to memorise the feeling that allowed him to control the darkness. ‘It’s not perfect, but I should be glad I gained something from it.’
“I choose the third option.” Exile calmly said as he glared at the ethereal beast.
“There is no third option.” Nar’Kozz snorted at Exile’s statement.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Exile chuckled as he stared t the ancient horror. “I choose neither.”
At that moment, Exile cancelled his spell and withdrew his palm. He sighed as he reconciled himself with the power he wielded at that moment. ‘This is a terrible power.’ Exile opened his eyes, which had returned to their golden colour.
“Mikari! How many Stalkers are left?” Exile called out from Nar’Kozz’s back as the barrier disappeared.
Mikari sighed in relief as he noticed Allyce’s hopeful expression. ‘Seems like he’s pulled himself back from the brink.’
“I’m not sure, but there shouldn’t be many!” Mikari called back.
Exile nodded slowly as continued to study the dark element he had absorbed from Nar’Kozz. ‘Devouring Palm creates a resonating effect, allowing me to steal an element I have an affinity with.’ Exile’s eyes gleamed as Nar’Kozz whined beneath him.
‘If it weren’t for this spell, I wouldn’t understand the real truth behind Nar’Kozz’s nature.’ Exile took a deep breath and released it slowly. ‘His ability to revive by transferring to another Stalker comes from his nature rather than his breed.’
‘The old gods failed to eradicate him because he likely keeps several hidden well away from the battlefields.’ Exile closed his eyes as he mulled over what he had learnt. ‘Nar’Kozz is the devouring darkness. Even light only serves to fuel him. However, there’s one thing he can’t devour.’
Exile opened his eyes and glared down at the ancient beast. “Any last words?”
“Exile, wait! We have to kill the others first!” Allyce screamed from the ground as Mikari and Noslin leapt forward to stop him.
“End it,” Nar’Kozz replied in a guttural voice. ‘End my hunger.’
Exile nodded as dark energy coated his fist. He called forth all the darkness and new stats he had stolen before punching Nar’Kozz with all his might!
The world turned dark, blinding Mikari. The younger Anderson brother froze, as the fear of failing to put an end to Nar’Kozz once and for all flooded his thoughts. Moments, seemed like hours before the curtain fell, and light returned to the world.
Mikari fell to his knees as Exile alighted on the ground where Nar’Kozz had been. ‘No, it’s not over yet!’
“Allyce! Noslin! Send word not to let any Stalker escape! Scour the tunnels until every last one is found!” ‘We still have a chance. We need to kill them all before any of them can grow into Nar’Kozz’s power.’ Mikari rounded on his brother and grabbed him by his shoulders. “Why?”
Mikari searched Exile’s eyes for an answer, but the latter clicked his tongue. “Why what?”
“Why did you kill Nar’Kozz?” Mikari groaned as he shook Exile. “We almost did it!”
“Almost? What are you talking about?” Exile cocked an eyebrow before he realised what the problem was. “Oh, don’t worry.”
Exile patted Mikari’s shoulder before freeing himself from his brother’s grip. “The war is over. Nar’Kozz won’t be coming back.”
Mikari’s eyes went wide as Exile’s wings exploded from his back. “Call everyone to the longhouse. I’ll explain it once everyone has gathered.”