Chapter 5: Ascension of the Void
Allen awoke from the depths of the Void after what felt like an eternity. The dark tendrils of the Void swirled around him as if celebrating his resurgence. His template of Void Null had now reached 0.13%, and the difference in power was staggering. He clenched his fists, and reality itself seemed to tremble.
Before, at 0.04%, he could manipulate shadows and distort minds with ease. Now, at 0.13%, his very presence exuded a pressure so overwhelming that it felt as if the world itself was bending under his influence. He extended his hand, and the Void obeyed his command instantly. In a flash, a creature emerged—a hulking mass of shadow and darkness.
The creature, a Void Wraith, stood over ten feet tall, its form constantly shifting, flickering like a mirage. Its hollow eyes glowed faintly, and its presence radiated terror. Allen knew these creatures were bound to him completely. They could die and resurrect endlessly as long as his power sustained them.
He smiled, amused by his newfound abilities. "So, this is the terror of the Void," he murmured. "At 0.13%, I could wipe entire countries off the map. When I reach 0.5%... not even gods will stand before me."
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The Void's Influence on the Island
It had been a year since the villagers had relocated to the Cubi Isles. Under the leadership of Gaelan and Lyra, the Servants of the Void had grown exponentially. The original villagers, directly blessed by Allen, had become powerful entities in their own right. Their ranks included Shadow Warriors and Shadow Priests, all wielding the essence of the Void with frightening efficiency.
However, the new members—those converted by the efforts of the original servants—were given only a diluted version of the Void's blessing. These individuals gained power but at a terrible cost. The more they drew upon the Void, the more their sanity eroded.
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The Birth of Void Thralls
The villagers had devised a method to initiate the new converts. In a darkened chamber deep within the island, rituals were held where the Void's essence was bestowed upon the newcomers. These initiates would writhe and scream as shadows consumed their bodies, embedding themselves into their very souls.
At first, the power was intoxicating. They could manipulate small tendrils of shadow, enhance their physical strength, and heal minor wounds. But over time, the Void exacted its toll. Their minds frayed, their eyes hollowed, and they began to lose themselves to the darkness.
One such initiate, a man named Jeren, had been a fisherman before joining the cult. Now, he was a Void Thrall, his body unnaturally elongated and his voice distorted. He served the cult with unwavering loyalty, but his humanity was almost entirely gone.
"The Void consumes all," Jeren muttered one day, his voice a hollow echo. "And we are but its vessels."
The villagers watched in both awe and terror as the Void Thralls began to multiply. Though their sanity diminished, their power grew, and they became terrifying tools for the cult's expansion.
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The Cult's Expansion
The original villagers worked tirelessly to spread the word of the Void across the island. Using rituals, ceremonies, and demonstrations of power, they converted hundreds. The island was slowly being consumed by the Void's influence, its people transforming into either loyal servants or mindless Thralls.
Lyra, now a high-ranking Shadow Priestess, oversaw the expansion. Her once gentle demeanor had been replaced by a cold, commanding presence. She stood in the center of a gathering, her voice echoing with an unnatural timbre.
"Our Lord watches over us from the Void," she declared, raising her hands. Black tendrils of smoke spiraled around her, mesmerizing the crowd. "Through his power, we shall ascend. The Void is eternal, and so shall we be."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their faces alight with fervor.
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The Terrifying Effects of the Void
The Void's influence wasn't limited to the people. The island itself began to change. The once lush greenery faded, replaced by withered, blackened trees. Shadows lingered unnaturally, twisting and writhing as if alive. The waters around the island grew dark and ominous, reflecting the essence of the Void.
Animals that wandered too close to the cult's ceremonies were consumed by the darkness, their bodies morphing into grotesque, shadowy forms. These creatures, known as Void Spawn, roamed the island, protecting the cult's territory.
One night, Gaelan stood atop a cliff overlooking the island. Beside him was Varek, now a Shadow Enforcer, his body clad in shadow-forged armor.
"This island has become a part of the Void," Gaelan said, his voice filled with pride. "Soon, the entire world will know the power of Null."
Varek nodded. "The gods will tremble before us. And those who oppose us will be consumed."
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Allen's Observations
From within the Void, Allen observed everything. The cult's growth, the transformation of the island, the creation of Thralls and Spawn—it all amused him greatly.
He stood amidst the swirling darkness, his power resonating through the Void. With each passing day, he could feel his strength increasing. At 0.13%, he could manipulate reality on a scale that dwarfed his previous abilities. His new powers included creating armies of Void Wraiths, manipulating large-scale environmental shadows, and distorting the minds of thousands simultaneously.
Allen chuckled, his voice echoing in the emptiness. "They grow strong, but they are still nothing more than ants compared to me. When my template reaches 0.5%, not even the gods will be able to challenge me."
He extended his hand, and the darkness formed a massive, intricate pattern—a sigil of Null. The sigil pulsed with power, illuminating the Void for a brief moment before fading back into darkness.
"Let the mortals fight their wars," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I'll watch from the shadows. And when the time comes, they'll know the true meaning of despair."
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The Cult's Future
The cult had solidified its presence on the island, and the villagers were already making plans to expand to the neighboring isles. Lyra stood before the gathered followers, her voice filled with conviction.
"The Servants of the Void shall rise," she declared. "We are the chosen, and the world will kneel before our Lord. The True Church, the Evil Gods—they will all fall."
As the crowd erupted in cheers, Allen watched from the Void, his laughter resonating through the darkness. The stage was set, and the shadows were rising.