18th Day of Avair 1000

Two weeks have passed since Raeghlie, Khafk, Nomly, and Obo (Ouroboros) departed from the cabin outside Newton. Not surprisingly being hunted by an emperor is quite the deal maker. Originally Khafk wanted to travel on his own with Obo. Raeghlie only manage to make him follow after telling him that he knew a way to completely awaken his internal energy. Khafk being hard struck on vengeance hurriedly agreed, which has led to the current situation.

Their group was trudging through a thick forest, only to stop at a clearing overlooking the next town.

Raeghlie turned towards Khafk, an annoyed look painted upon his ancient features. “Welcome to Bar’beidos the first and last town you’ll see until we reach the border of Diablo’s Rift. Unfortunately, while the city may appear as a glorious site. It is teeming with the Empires Soldiers, even from all the way over here I can see the silver on their uniforms gleaming from the roads.”

Khakf looked at Raeghlie with with a confused expression. “Why is this city of any importance to us?”

Raeghlie’s gaze turned stoic as he looked at Khafk. “There is certain person within the city that has an object which can help awaken internal energy. There are also some personal matters I must take care of so you’ll be staying here. Now child, what are a Ki warrior’s abilities gained from?”

Being told to stay put had Khafk in a bad mood, but he thoroughly enjoyed the lessons which Raeghlie had taught him. Back in the Eastern Empire, Khafk was sheltered and hidden away. He never received any teachings about Ki.

“A Ki warrior gains abilities and power by defeating monsters and absorbing their energy. The resulting ability they gain depends on the monster’s attributes and skills.” Khafk said with a confident smile.

Raeghlie continued. “Why can’t another warrior just defeat a strong monster; then allow someone else to absorb the power?”

“Because when a monster is defeated its energy goes through a process called imprinting, which makes anyone other than the victor unable to absorb the remaining energy.” Raeghlie was now satisfied, a smile appearing on his wrinkled face.

“Good Khafk, now in three days I will return to this clearing. During my absence I want you to focus on controlling your deathly aura, I cannot always be around to suppress it with my Ki.” Raeghlie walked towards a nearby prairie and picked a small yellow flower.

“You need to be able to hold a flower without taking away its life force by the time I return. Otherwise venturing into Diablo’s Tail will only end with your demise. Also I will be sending Nomly ahead to scout out a secured spot on the crux of Diablo's Rift." Raeghlie then stepped forwards placing the flower in Khafk’s outstretched hands. Nomly then appeared on Raeghlie’s shoulder and with a brief wave of hand they vanished.

Khafk looked towards the flower in his palms. It had turned black and grey as if made by ash. He felt as if a 1000 pound weight had been placed upon his shoulders ‘Only three days’ it was incredibly strenuous. He had returned his gaze to the prairie overflowing with flowers when Obo’s voice appeared in his mind. “Chief I can feel how strong your deathly pull is, good luck. I’m going to hunt in the surrounding woods while you train.”

Khafk watched Obo’s as he slithered into the woods hovering just slightly above the ground. Khafk had been told by Raeghlie that Obo was an Ouroboros who could sustain himself through the life energy that is drawn towards his tail. When Khafk had asked Obo why he needed to hunt monsters the creature replied; “I can sustain myself for eternity, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll grow without absorbing the life force of monsters. Don’t worry chief I’ll definitely become a partner you can rely upon.”

Khafk’s smile turned into a look of determination before he marched into the prairie.

****

Khafk’s first day of training was incredibly difficult. Any plant that he touched would immediately shrivel and die. During this time Obo came back with several different kills, ranging from Bat Squirrels to Velocy Monkeys. By the end of the day while Khafk had made little progress, Obo had grown to the length of two meters. His wings turned jet-black with gold lining and were now capable of supporting flight.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Seeing Obo’s progress had flared Khafk’s motivation, but just having motivation wasn’t helping him achieve any control over the deathly aura. That night Khafk sat with his back against Obo while quietly praying for a breakthrough. ‘How can I find a way’ were his last thoughts before drifting to sleep.

‘Where am I?’ Khafk was in a transparent room that was hovering over a mountain of skulls. He continued to look around in mild confusion when a very handsome man his head adorned with long midnight black hair, his body dressed surreal silken drapes. The man summoned a hellish throne in the center of the room, before lounging his body across it.

“Hello Khafk, your people call me Akila, or Death, and I've heard you have a little problem.” The handsome man’s tone of voice made Khafk feel incredibly cold; as if he’d just been in a snowstorm.

Khafk looked dumbfounded “Why am I here? I haven’t died yet. Right?”

Well technically you aren’t actually here, I’ve just projected your consciousness into my dimension to speak with you.” Akila spoke with an amused smile.

Khafk was having a very difficult time understanding this god. He had expected Akila to be more, imposing. Strangely the god looked more like a carefree noble, but Akila did say he could help.

“How can you help me?” Khafk asked.

Akila looked down upon the boy a smirk playing upon his lips. “Let’s see, what if I told you the aura is unstable, but not uncontrollable due to an object in my servant’s possession.”

Khafk immediately knew Akila was talking about the shade, but what did it have within its possession that made the deathly aura so unstable. Khafk looked about the room going over his encounter with the shade when his eyes met a portrait of Akila. He was in a similar position of lounging only his carefree attitude was hidden by a thorny black crown. Even through a picture it could instill fear within a person’s heart. Khafk could only briefly recall an image of the same unmistakable crown atop the shade’s head.

“It’s your crown.” Khafk muttered, the current implications of what Akila said had taken his breath away in fear. He had technically stolen a god’s symbol of power.

Clap, Clap, Clap. “Bravo! Fantastic deducing, also even if you have my crown within your body; I won’t take it back.” Akila gave another amused look.

Khafk could only look on in bewilderment. “Why?”

Akila gave a chuckle. “Because it amuses me, eternity can get really boring. Anyways, I digress. To control the aura all you have to do is regulate the balance of life energy and death energy within your body. Ask Natira’s little pet to loan you its tail, then everything will make sense.”

Khafk’s tongue was tied, even if he wanted to respond he couldn’t have. This situation was just that ridiculous.

The room started shaking; during which everything else slowly faded, but not before Akila got the last laugh. “Also when Walter does decide to talk to you, be nice, he’s quite the shy shade. Bye Khafk, hopefully I won’t see you soon.” Akila gave a toothy grin, and Khafk’s vision went black.

That day the God of Death officially chose his next apostle, while the unsuspecting youth laid asleep; being coiled around by a guardian of the Goddess of Life.

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Hey everyone hope you like the chap, I've been trying to keep the daily release consistent. Anyways Enjoy :D Also any assistance spotting grammar errors and plot holes are greatly appreciated. Thx