Chapter 5: The Path of Shadows
Allen woke up in the depths of the Void, his eyes flickering open to the swirling darkness that surrounded him. He had slept for fifteen days, letting time pass as the power of the Void Null template continued to integrate within him. He could feel the changes in his essence—the exponential growth of his power was undeniable.
At 0.04%, his power had surged far beyond his initial understanding. It wasn't a simple linear progression; it was exponential, each increment magnifying his strength far more than the last. From 0.01% to 0.02%, the increase had been double. From 0.02% to 0.03%, it had quadrupled. Now, from 0.03% to 0.04%, the power had multiplied eightfold.
He clenched his hand, and the darkness obeyed without hesitation, spiraling and reshaping itself into a myriad of forms. He smirked. If this is the power at 0.04%, what will 0.10% feel like? What about 1%? The potential of the Void Null template was terrifying, a horror that could only be comprehended by those who dared wield it.
However, Allen also noticed that as the power increased, so did the time required for each increment. What took only a few days at the start was now stretching into weeks. The climb was growing steeper, and while Allen wasn't particularly concerned, he found the process both fascinating and amusing.
"I'll be a god in this world," he mused, stretching lazily. "But what's the point of being a god if there's no entertainment? Watching mortals fight... Now that's amusing."
Allen chuckled. The fate of his shadow servants mattered little to him. They were tools, pawns in his game. If they perished, he could always create more. For now, though, they were enough to sow chaos and confront the True Gods and Evil Gods alike. He was eager to see what battles they would bring.
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The Village's Decision
Back in Eldermere, the villagers gathered in the central square, their faces alight with fervor. The power of the Void was transforming them day by day. Each villager started as an Apprentice, their first step into the hierarchy of the Void's servants. Over time, they absorbed the essence of the Void, their strength growing steadily.
Among them, Varek, one of the village's strongest, had taken a step beyond the rank of Apprentice. Now a Shadow Warrior, his muscles rippled with shadowy power, and his aura was oppressive to those who were still growing into their roles. He was the first of many to ascend, a harbinger of the strength that lay ahead.
The village chief, Gaelan, called the meeting to order, his voice filled with authority. "My brothers and sisters, we have grown stronger under the guidance of the Void. But this village is too small for the destiny we are meant to fulfill. We need a larger stage, a place where we can grow our numbers and spread the influence of Null."
A woman named Lyra, who was quickly becoming a spiritual leader among them, nodded. "I have heard of the Cubi Isles," she said. "It is a cluster of islands governed by weak rulers and fragmented tribes. It would be an ideal place to establish our presence. The people there are ripe for conversion."
Gaelan considered her words carefully. "If we move there, we can begin building the foundation of a true cult—the Servants of the Void. But we must move carefully. The True Church and the followers of the Evil Gods will not take our presence lightly."
Varek stepped forward, his voice confident. "Let them come. With the power of the Void, we are stronger than they know. We will grow in secret, and when the time comes, we will crush anyone who dares oppose us."
The villagers murmured in agreement. They had felt the power growing within them, their connection to the Void strengthening with each passing day. Their faith in Null was absolute, and they were ready to follow Gaelan's lead.
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The Journey to the Isles
The villagers packed what little they needed and set off under the cover of darkness. Guided by Lyra, who had an innate sense of direction from her connection to the Void, they traveled to the coast and commandeered a few small ships.
The journey to the Cubi Isles took days, during which the villagers continued to absorb the essence of the Void. Their strength grew steadily, and their loyalty to Null deepened. The youngest among them, children who had only recently been touched by the Void, were already showing signs of power, their laughter echoing eerily across the water.
When they arrived at the largest island, they were greeted by a small fishing village. The villagers of Eldermere wasted no time. Within days, they had begun to integrate themselves into the local community, subtly spreading their influence.
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The Birth of the Cult
In the shadows of the largest hut, Gaelan, Lyra, and Varek held a meeting. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the essence of the Void.
"Our first priority is to establish a hierarchy," Gaelan said. "Every new follower will start as an Apprentice. From there, they can rise to become Shadow Warriors or Shadow Priests. The strongest among us will serve as commanders, guiding the others."
Lyra nodded. "We must also create rituals, ceremonies to deepen their connection to the Void. The people of this island are superstitious; they will respond well to displays of power."
"And what of the resistance we may face?" Varek asked.
Gaelan smiled darkly. "Let them resist. Every battle will only make us stronger. The Void rewards those who embrace conflict. Soon, this island will be ours."
They finalized their plans, laying the groundwork for what would become the Servants of the Void. Within weeks, the cult began to grow, its influence spreading across the island like a shadow.
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Allen's Amusement
In the Void, Allen observed their progress with mild amusement. His connection to his servants allowed him to feel their growth, their struggles, and their victories.
"Ah, mortals," he mused. "So eager to prove themselves. So easy to manipulate."
He could feel his power growing, albeit slowly. At 0.04%, his abilities were far beyond what they had been at 0.01%. The exponential growth was undeniable, and the time it took for each increment was increasing as well. He estimated that it would take at least ten days to reach 0.05%.
But he wasn't in a rush. The world was vast, filled with gods and mortals to entertain him. For now, he was content to watch as his servants carried out his will.
The Servants of the Void were only beginning their journey. The shadows were rising, and the world would soon know the terror of Null.