Ranking: Khaos, Keeper Of The Gate Of Spirits.
Grade: Special - Elder
Rank: A+
Threat Level: High-Risk (Elder class).
.....
[SHADOW MANIPULATION (UNLOCKED)]
[SHADOW ABSORPTION (UNLOCKED)]
A smile formed on Flynn's face. "Now, I might just be able to kill the Keeper! Thanks, Ring—"
"My Host," the voice in his head spoke up.
Flynn's expression turned confused.
"You can speak without being called upon?"
"My Host, yes," the voice replied, with sarcasm. "I can when you have starved me critically. And, for your information, my hunger level is 99.8492%."
Flynn responded, "Listen, Ring! When I kill the Keeper, Khaos, I'll feed you the soul shard you insisted on having—"
"Just for a simple reminder, Your survival is my priority," the voice declared. "Your death is mine as well. My main goal: RING'S OBJECTIVE—Evolve Host into The Omnipotent King."
Flynn's eyes slightly narrowed. "What would you gain when I evolve?"
"I would personally have unlocked abilities to help you, My Host, survive the death chase that comes with evolution," the Ring responded.
"Okay... "
Although he definitely did not completely trust the Ring, especially with what the Keeper had said earlier regarding him ending the world, He however needed to complete what has already been started.
"Now, I need to take Khaos's soul shard. Is that okay with you, Ring?"
"Yes," the Ring affirmed. "And remember, My Host," the voice warned, "if you're in a critical state and death is inevitable, you have the command to grant me full control of your body and time limit."
"What if I don't have the strength to tell you all these?"
"Then I'll take over your body until the threat is eliminated and killed."
[RING HUNGER — 99.9%!!!]
[HOST NEGLIGENCE EFFECT — Excruciating Pain lasting 5 mins!]
[BLOOD BINDING EFFECT — (-3) drops of blood every 5 seconds]
Flynn frowned as the voice fell silent. "Why does this Ring sound so suspicious? But my priority is to feed it before it affects my wellbeing."
He gazed upwards at the floating platforms, distant but within reach. "Balance and speed, that's all I need."
With resolve, Flynn stood upright amidst his fall, his legs pushing against mid-air. With a swift, powerful thrust, he ascended from the void.
"Crash!"
The Keeper turned towards Flynn, who landed safely on the platform. Although having a skull head, it was easy to tell the Keeper's irritation, "You have returned, human. Why didn't you stay in the void for your own good?"
Flynn held the dark sword, spinning it before its tip, he pointed it at the Keeper. "Well," he began, "I would have died five times over if I continued falling... and that's not an option."
Within his mind, a thought resounded, 'If I die, won't the Ring die too? Would the Ring give me negligence effect when I'm not around the source of the required quests?... Or what would happen?... Definitely, I have lots of question to ask it.'
"...You seem confident, probably because you've unlocked more of your abilities as The Shadow Lord?" Khaos asked, "Correct?"
Flynn's brow rose. "Even if I did, how would you know?"
"I'm an Elder," Khaos replied.
Flynn's gaze narrowed. "...You yourself sound more confident."
The Keeper's face remained impassive. "Of course I do. Like I earlier said, you won't kill any innocent soul..."
'Clink..'
Flynn gripped his sword tightly, his gaze fixed on the Keeper's. "... I've told you time and again, I won't kill anyone except you."
"... I see..."
A faint red mist escaped the Keeper's skull-like jaw. His scythe dug into the ground.
"Then, I accept your challenge.... Death Form - Gate of Oblivion."
'BAM'
The ground melted away. The blue lights on the pillars flickered wildly before blowing out. Darkness crept around Flynn, leaving the world in shadows.
'Whoosh!'
The fire erupted,with flames surging upward in a deep, blood-red hue.
Flynn straightened up, scanning his surroundings. It was more of a Hellish landscapes, around were burning rocks, and smoldering ash. However what got his attention was ahead, a thin, blue-light broad force-field dividing the scorched world.
"Where am I?" Flynn asked aloud.
The Keeper walked horizontally towards the darkness of the world, where skulls and bones were scattered all over the ground. He spoke up, "Gate Of Oblivion; a gate made to erase anything that passes through it from existence. Here, there is a Reality Lock. You will be prevented from leaving this domain, no matter your power, grade, or rank. Silence of the Dead, here, you will be disconnected from time and space. And if I wish, you will find yourself in an endless loop."
Flynn's pupils dilated as those words were spoken by the Keeper whose red gaze staring deep into his soul.
He tightened the grip on the sword as the Keeper faced him.
"I'M KHAOS, KEEPER OF THE GATE OF SPIRITS!"