Chapter 7 - Changes

 500 years have passed ever since Katie Died. I couldn't even process it nor could I mourn her. It must be the result of my Immortality. Have I lost my Emotions Entirely? My sense of Empathy could barely work and my will of living was becoming weaker.

Katie Died of Old Age. She didn't face any dangers as long as she was under my protection, but she refused to become immortal. She said it would be better for her to just enjoy her short life and she did so as well. She lived her life to the fullest. She traveled a lot, fought a lot, mastered magic to its peak, and had a good life. However, she couldn't escape the flow of time. I watched as she became older and older day by day, year by year and I suffered. She was the only beacon of the light that I had in the endless darkness that devoured me slowly, and I lost her as well.

Despite this fact, I still followed my original cause – Peace amongst the stars and Galaxies. I could say that everything was going well. I couldn't change the nature of living beings. They killed each other all the time, but there were no wars. No Chaos and no massive cataclysms. If only a few people killed each other on each planet every day, it was good news for me. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. It was much better than seeing billions of people getting slaughtered every day.

The Crusade that I sent from the Royale Palace has fought tirelessly. They punished those who didn't obey, favored those who obeyed, and helped the weak. Of course, there was a commotion in the Council. They couldn't fully accept the fact that the war was over, but what could they have done? The Empire was mine. I was the Supreme Being and if anyone started a rebellion, they would die very soon after.

The barren planets at the outskirts of the universe also obeyed us as we went there in the name of peace. Every time we had contact in the past we only gave them 2 options – Obey us or Die. We replaced the "obeying" part with "Join our empire" and it was very effective. No one chose to die, which was smart. The once abandoned and half-destroyed corner of the universe bloomed with life. We provided them with resources, money, food, and workers to rebuild their planets and it worked.

Soon this kind of strategy made it possible to gather the entire universe in my grasp. Every corner of the vast space was at my command. Before I started this crusade I was feared, but soon I gained people's respect and Love. I became a symbol of hope. If I was the emperor before, I became their God. The Empire itself still didn't have a name. I never came up with anything proper, so everyone just calls it "The Empire". I don't mind. I never needed formalities and names.

I decided to return to Katie's Universe and Check on it. I was already familiar with Multiverse Travel. Each universe was like a Layer of carpet that vibrated on a different frequency. I just had to adapt them and make my space-time portal vibrate at the same pace. It was an easy job for me and I've traveled through endless multiverse a couple of times in the future. I've seen many strong individuals but never remembered their names. There was a bald man in a Yellow Uniform. He was unbelievably strong and he was just like me. His Power became a curse as well and he couldn't find a strong opponent. He could just end every fight with one punch and his emotions went dull as well. I could understand him and Gave him what he desired – a proper fight and Death. I could feel that he was overjoyed in his last moments. The Crimson Devourer absorbed him as well, but I didn't get most of his power. Seems like he was physically strong and my sword absorbs spiritual and Divine energy. His flesh and Blood increased my Strength and speed by a little bit, but nothing special. The fact that he was just a human and he could survive my punches was very impressive.

I also have seen a man with a weird name. He was itching for a fight and changed his Hair colors a few times. He wasn't as strong as the bald guy but still, he was quite impressive. I managed to absorb a lot of Divine energy from him after my sword devoured him.

After I mastered the multiversal travel, I finally returned to Katie's universe. The Planet that I once left was entirely green. There was Green everywhere. The Land was covered by Grass; everywhere you looked the trees bloomed. Even the farthest reaches of my eyes could only see beauty and it pleased me. Probably a few million years have passed here. I sat down at the familiar lake and smiled. Katie's soul must be here. I couldn't find her spirit neither in Heaven nor in Hell in my universe. Looks like she returned to her home world. There may be a spirit world here that I must have found. I wanted to see her once again.

I stared at the clear water and sank into my thoughts. My memories were faint and I could barely remember our encounter, but Katie still was shining as bright as ever. That could not be changed. No matter how many centuries would pass, she would still look like an angel in my memories.

Soon I started meditating. I was trying to sense the evil energy on this planet but it was futile. All I could sense was the energy of the living beings, but it wasn't demonic energy. They were animals and Alien beings that I had never encountered. The seed that has been planted here has different effects every time, according to the planet's soil, environment, and Atmospheric pressure. It was given to me by a Dryad called Lotusia as a sign of her Respect and Loyalty. It has been Millennia ever since she reunited with Nature and turned into a tree, but hopefully, I will see her again in the future.

These Alien Beings were benevolent by the nature of their spiritual energy. Looks like they were not aggressive and I couldn't sense any killing intent. I felt overjoyed because of this, but I had no business with them. No one was around me at that moment so it didn't matter to them if I appeared here or not.

Soon I traced a scent of the demonic energy up in the atmosphere. Seems like Katie told me the truth. They left the planet and started to wander in the universe, sucking the life out of planets and living beings. It was a terrible thing, indeed.

I summoned my Angelic wings and flew up into the sky. The scent became stronger as I flew upwards and I followed it as well. It wasn't a smell in the traditional sense. I could see and feel traces of energy and they left a lot of it behind. I started following it into the space.

Every planet where I could sense this scent was tainted and corrupted. Living beings there were mostly wild beasts without any consciousness. I tried curing them but it didn't work. They must have been like this for many centuries and their mind was completely corrupted. I couldn't feel any kind of pure energy on any of the corrupted planets. I could only see Death and Violence. It was a terrible sight, indeed.

I destroyed tainted planets to give the poor souls on the surface the rest that they deserved. Black Holes devoured them entirely. I didn't feel guilt or sadness. It must have been done. Those wicked creatures tried to murder me multiple times even though I thought I cured them. There was no saving them except for long-awaited death.

My "Chase" continued for a couple of weeks. I didn't care about time as time passed slowly here. When I would return to my universe probably a few minutes would've passed. A few minutes wouldn't ruin my empire if I could save helpless beings.

After 46 days of space travel, I finally felt a scent so powerful that it was obvious that I found their current Hideout. I scanned the half-tainted planet with my eyes. I could see huge dark figures made by dark energy and it disgusted me. I could also sense a little source of pure energy at the surface. Most likely just innocent living beings. I flew towards the planet and landed on top of a Mountain. I could see everything at the bottom of it. A few Huge Demons were hibernating nearby. I pulled the Pistol of Agony from the Pocket space, a gun made by Lucifer himself that shoots unbelievably powerful blasts of Dark, Demonic energy. It was the Gun that Took Sun Wukong's one layer of immortality. Truly a powerful weapon, indeed. I shot at one of the demons. A dark Blast of energy has been unleashed and immediately disintegrated the lower half of the closest demon. It screamed in pain and fell with a loud noise. I flew down at his head and looked at one of his eyes.

"Where is your Ruler, Demon?" – I spoke.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Harold. I would like to find out where your Lord is. Who is your ruler? And where is he now?"

"Go to hell, you mortal!"

"Already been there. Didn't like it. Conquered it."

I shot it again in what could be called the Chest. It screamed once again. Its noise woke up other demons around. They stood up and started moving. Both of them looked disgusting. One was holding a Claymore while another – a Spear. I shot the screaming demon in the face as I had no need for it anymore and turned around.

"If any of you have an ounce of brain left in those twisted heads of yours, show me the way towards your Demon King and I will Grant you a quick death."

They chuckled. It was enough for me to pull the Wind talker from the Pocket space. It was a Bow that the Elf God, Darfin Chaevalur, Gifted me Eons ago. It was a magical weapon that could shoot thunder. It was one of the most powerful weapons in my arsenal.

I aimed at the demon holding a spear and pulled the string that was as gentle and slim as silk. A Yellow Shining Arrow has appeared out of thin air. It was making the same sounds as thunder in the Stormy night. I let go of the string and the Lightning flew away at an astonishing speed. It pierced the Demon's skull in an instant. Its entire body started shaking and soon exploded. The Arrow's electric energy was enough to power an entire Royale palace for 100 years and I could shoot an endless amount of them. Truly an astonishing weapon. I always respected and Favored Elves. They are very Wise and Friendly, Always willing to help and always having a happy life. I spent 700 years with them and adapted to their culture and traditions. It was one of the most fruitful periods of my life and I will never forget it. Darfin was a true friend and a trustworthy ally. Unfortunately, he passed away before he got to see the United Empire. He believed that I would overthrow the rule of the Old man and fought alongside me. Too bad that his chest was pierced by a Loyal Angel's Spear.

I couldn't think a lot as the second demon swung his Giant Claymore like it was nothing. I pulled The Skull Crusher, a Battle Axe Made of the Most Durable Metals in existence – Adamantine, Tungsten, Titanium, and Chromium. It was also forged on the Anvil of the deepest pit of Hell – the ninth ring, where Beelzebub forged it using souls of the damned. It has the power to slice souls themselves. It always glowed in a strong Cyan Color which was the color of the Ice at the bottom of the dark pit that I always hated.

I broke a mile-long Claymore into pieces in a single Swing. Just one leap towards the Disgusting creature and it lost its legs. "The Bigger they are, the Harder they fall", as the saying goes. It fell with wicked screams and curses. I approached it.

"Where is your lord, Monster?"

He didn't answer. I scanned its body with my eyes and found its heart, as dark and disgusting as its entire being. I clenched my fist and grabbed its heart using telekinesis. The creature screamed in pain. It pleased me.

"Where is the Demon King, Monster?" I repeated.

"He's In the North! He's sitting in the Dark Palace and Hibernating. You shan't disturb him! We will all die if you will do so. You have no idea who he is..."

I pulled the Blaster of Hellfire from the Pocket Space and shot the cursed being at once.

"You do not need to trouble yourself by thinking about the future. You don't have a head after all."

It was true. The blast decapitated it. I summoned a magic circle and used the flames of Eldritch – The Holy Mage of Develdion. I murdered and absorbed his skills as well. He was an interesting man, would never back down so I cut his legs off first so he could learn how to kneel.

The Demon's disgusting body turned into ashes as I flew towards the Northern Mountains. My compass could always show me the sides of the world no matter where I went.

After 20 minutes of Flight, I finally saw a dark palace. It was a gruesome place: It was surrounded by a lot of sleeping demons and Countless slaves, just doing Physical labor. I couldn't understand what they were doing. A Palace was standing, what were they working for? My First guess was for Demon King's Enjoyment. The Suffering and Pain of mere mortals must amuse that being. Truly Unacceptable.

I pulled the Wind talker once again and Shot at the Demons one by one. They didn't even realize that they were dying as they exploded. The People on the Surface looked in the sky. I could hear their whispers: "Who is he?"; "Are we safe now?"; "Did he save us?" I flew down and landed on the Surface. People looked at me with fear.

"No need to fear me, mortals. I have come to free you from your suffering." I spoke as I looked at them one by one. They looked weak and dirty. All this work was probably exhausting and they were more of walking corpses.

I also noticed a few people who looked relatively fatter and cleaner. They were holding whips. It became clear to me that they were forcing these slaves to work. All the demons were sleeping so there must have been someone who would do the dirty work. It disgusted me.

"Have you lost your humanity?" I approached one of them and grabbed his Whip. "Do you enjoy making your brothers and sisters suffer?"

He trembled with fear.

"I had no choice. The Demons forced me to do this..." He whispered.

"You didn't seem to mind at all..." Screamed one of the slaves who was lying on the ground and breathing heavily. She was a middle-aged woman wearing tatters. She looked at the man in front of me in disgust. I could see tears in her eyes.

"What nonsense are you spouting you dumb bitch?!" The Man screamed but his head soon left his shoulders and fell on the ground.

"You must be Hungry," I spoke and Pulled a button of Emilia, the Cooking goddess, from the pocket space. I gave it to one of the slaves. "Imagine any kind of food and press the button. It will appear immediately and you can eat as much as you wish.

The Slave didn't even say "thank you", but I could understand. Who knows how long has it been since the last time these poor people tasted normal food?

The First Slave summoned a huge, fried chicken and grabbed it while sobbing. He seemed happy. Another slave picket the button and Summoned a cow's meat. And so on they all ate delicious food. While they were busy enjoying their food I took whips from all the traitors and also let them eat. After all, I fight for peace. I do not wish to judge anyone because of their past deeds, because it was all forced by demons.

Then I walked towards the Dark Palace Alone. I could sense that the Demon King was waiting for me. His Anger, excitement, and anticipation were filling the air and it disgusted me. It was time to end all of this.

"Demon King Dies today," I whispered to myself as I went towards a huge, tainted building without an ounce of fear in my heart.