When we arrived at the shadow elves main home… I was kind of let down. They lived in a redwood-like area where the trees were absolutely humongous. Where their buildings were located, they weren’t on the ground… they were up high made of dark wood and large purple leaves from the redwood-like treetops for roofing. It would have a pure fantasy-like feel… if their buildings weren’t all incredibly small looking shabby huts. They had a lack of plants other than the trees. They only color to be seen were the purple leaves, the grey-skinned people, and the dark brown bark of the trees. The floor of the forest was covered in dead leaves, unkempt and messy. The atmosphere was gloomy and dark. The lake in the center of the area in which the houses surrounded was the only slightly mystical sight. It was clear and looked refreshing, however, based on my past lives knowledge, such a lake is actually either contained poisonous chemicals or was lacking in nutrients to hold the necessary fish or vegetation to support the surroundings.

I could see all the issues before even entering the lack-luster city. There wasn’t enough fish to eat, no sanitation areas besides the nutrient lacking waters of the large lake, which had nowhere to go as there was no river nearby to filter it out. The huts were shabby, not built sturdy, the floor looks like it hasn’t had a proper forest floor fire, which is needed to provide nutrient-based ash to the trees and bushes for even more food. The people lacked energy from fruit and vegetables, even meat would probably be a commodity. For a type of elves, these people had failed in affinity with nature aspects. I thought They would almost be better of becoming nomads, hell just moving next to a river would fix half of the problems they are facing right now.

The new “guest”, me, was being eyed carefully by the guards and nearby elves, at least until they saw the grand elder next to me. The perimeter defenses were also lack-luster, merely being made out of sharpened wood logs. My eyes continued to gaze at the structures, the only way to reach the houses and other facilities from the ground level, were wooden ramps that looked like they would break at any time. These ramps circled around the trees to the respective building, and wooden bridges with ropes as handles connected the trees. At the end of my scrutiny, all I could think was, Pathetic… It seems I have a lot of work to do.

…

I was toured around the city in the trees for a couple of hours to get a good look at their situation. I got a good grasp of their technology level, their food problems, maintenance problems. There were many problems that needed fixing but not enough people with free hands to really help out. They were stuck in a repetitive cycle of “hunt food and gather to survive” situation. No one worked on technology and research, no one could care for other children, no one could sit and relax at all. It was life and death, they needed food, shelters, and warriors. The continental war that is occurring has only led to one good thing with the elves... and that is combat potential. They are naturally good at archery and mobility, the entire population is hardworking and loyal to their kind. The shadow elves are all just rough diamonds, hidden in stone, and deep underground. They could be trained to be perfect loyal assassins, rangers, and scouts. They just need a little guidance, and who could be a better teacher in the area of warfare than a god of death, or a soldier?

I looked at the grand elder Darius, I learned his name during the tour and forgot to ask for it earlier. The only ones remaining by my side at the moment was Darius, Akazul, and my void-knight. I spoke to the two elders, “We need to call for the council, I have observed your situation, let me just say… It’s absolutely pathetic. We will gather together in the council chambers in 1 hour. In the meantime, while you gather the elders, I will fix one of your problems right now. Your species are not currently worthy to serve me, however… they will be soon”.

The grand elders understood that their race is under the threat of going out of existence, they understood they are currently weak, they understood that this being in front of them is their only hope. They nodded without saying a word and went off to the messaging posts and council posts so send word of the meeting. I saw their determination for survival, but those two are idiots if thinking all the elders will just kneel. They need proof of my strength, and I intend to ram my proof right into their dull skulls. I looked to the lake nearby and smiled… Time to get a new guard.

…

I looked at the empty crystal clear lake, standing on the shore, and began to walk into the lake. The surrounding elves noticed this and had very confused looks, I could understand as I was just casually submerging myself into the lake. Like a robot or undead, I walked slowly to the depths of the clear lake. I knew two things about this lake, one, it has no life within it, as there is absolutely no life at all. No germs, no algae, no fish, no people. The waters consume life, but I could sense and figure out there is something else, something that these people could not even to guess that there was something hidden right under their noses. When I sensed life in the surroundings from earlier, I saw something that made even me intrigued. All the life force was being sucked slowly to the lake, then deeper into the lake. Most of the lake could be seen through, however even light seemed to not penetrate its depths. What thing, could suck life, and hide itself in a crystal clear lake. A shadow elemental would be the perfect match.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I began to guess why the old elders began to choose this place to be rather than a river, the species needs a shadow elemental to thrive, but they didn’t know that very shadow elemental is stopping their species from repopulating correctly. If they were to move farther away from their home, they would have no reproduction problems and still gain ambient shadow energy. I could even sense that they no longer even need that energy and their genes have already fully transformed over the thousands of years they have been here.

I was reaching the depths of the lake when my senses spotted the shadow elemental, being at the bottom of the lake is smart for magical entity’s that have no reason to ‘breathe’. However, it’s hiding game is over, no more leaching from my future subjects.

As if to recognize me as it’s absolute master it called out to me through mental connections.

…

Greetings, lord of the shadows. I have been waiting for your return.

The shadow elemental began to vibrate with anticipation upon my arrival, through the mental connection I could sense it’s happiness to be with its ruler again. I sent back a mental connection, Come with me my subject, it has been too long since my being has been away. It’s time for us to rise once again, however, I will tell you that I am not the same master before. I am someone… something much greater. You will prove your worth to me, in return I will give you freedom and purpose.

The shadow elemental vibrated even harder and sent mental connections of repeated thanks over and over again. As I walked right next to the shadow elemental I put my hands on the top of the wisp of shadows. I spoke, “Rise… rise again to serve your master, your lord, your emperor. In the shadows, we rule. In the world, we rule. In death, we rule. Rise Void-Mage, I recognize your strength and intelligence. Your thirst for power will lead you to become one of my own.

The shadow elemental took form, it grew into a humanoid shape as tall as my knight and I. The shadow produced a black mage robe that was smooth and elegant. Runic symbols began to dance across the sleeves, down the robe, and up the hood. A silver mask was created, with nothing but two parallelograms with shining blue as eyes. No mouthpiece was made, only a line that goes from the chin to the bottom the eyes. A circle that held a square which in turn held a triangle that was glowing blue appeared on the forehead. A staff of woven black steel which looked as if branches entwined appeared, the top of the staff opened up then closed making an octahedron shape. A crystal bloomed on the tip of the staff the grew to fit its ‘cage’ perfectly. The crystal began to glow a deep blue.

The Void-mage waved its right hand, which had a black leather glove appearance, and a spherical bubble surrounded us. The water was pushed out and we stood within. The bubble floated to the top of the lake and unfolded to make a 2d plane of thin water in which we stood. I looked at the kneeling mage in front of me, it spoke in a clear but whisper-like voice; “lord, as you have risen me, I will dedicate my whole to you. If there be an enemy, I will make them have regret for their ignorance. If there be a friend, I will treat them with care. If you are alone, I will be there to provide you comfort”.

I put my hand on the shoulder of my new royal guard, “As long as you care for me, I will in return care for you”. The Void-mage stood and nodded. I then asked, “What are your abilities?”. I need to know how to use my new guard to its utmost ability.

The Void-mage spoke, “I have great affinities with water and ice, I can cast large area of effect abilities to destroy thy foes. I also can provide a hard ice-armor to protect thy friends. My abilities also include lifesteal on a physical touch wither with my staff or hands”.

I nodded along with the Void-mage and its abilities. I have a few good AOE abilities like blackhole or shadow domain, but having someone else with that ability will be easier on my management within a battle. Afterward, we glided across the waters back to shore. It was time for the meeting. I could already tell, the strain of the lake has been removed, which in turn, relieves the strain on reproduction. Time to tell these dark elves what I am capable of, and tell them that this continent will belong to me.

Time for the final war has begun, I will first level to tier 2, then I will be untouchable to the races of this continent. In turn, I will provide these species a reprieve. However, ashes must first be created to provide nutrients to the future. The soil right now is dying, it is brittle. I must feed the soil blood and ashes to begin anew. This continent is missing its god, I will be more than happy to replace it.

System(Path of God-Emperor)

Revelation Effect: Those who are under your banner, worship you. Those who face it, shiver in fright. The land, water, and air belong to you and only you. Ability Gained: Godly Majestic Presence

...