Kael Draven stood in a realm unlike anything he had encountered before. The Void stretched endlessly around him, a swirling expanse of darkness dotted with faint, pulsing lights. The air—or what passed for it here—was thick and oppressive, charged with ancient power that seeped into his very being.
He was no stranger to the Void's touch. Its whispers had haunted him for years, guiding him, tempting him. But now, he was fully within its grasp, and for the first time, he felt its presence as more than a distant voice.
A towering figure emerged from the shadows, its form constantly shifting and writhing, as if it couldn't decide on a single shape. Its voice, deep and resonant, echoed in Kael's mind rather than his ears.
"Kael Draven," the entity said. "You have defied the light. You have proven your strength. Now, you stand at the precipice of ultimate power."
Kael smirked, his silver eyes gleaming. "Took you long enough to show yourself. I've been doing your bidding for years, haven't I? Or was that just a coincidence?"
The figure laughed, a sound that reverberated through the Void like a rolling thunderstorm. "You misunderstand, mortal. I did not *command* you. I merely... nurtured your potential. Your hatred, your ambition, your defiance of the gods—they are your own. I am merely the crucible that will forge you into something greater."
Kael crossed his arms. "If you're here to flatter me, get to the point. What do you want from me?"
---
The entity's shifting form loomed closer, its massive silhouette blotting out the faint lights of the Void.
"I want what you want," it said. "A world free from the tyranny of the gods. A world where power belongs to those who seize it, not those who are chosen by celestial fiat. Together, we can unmake this broken reality and shape it anew."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for you?"
The figure's voice darkened, its tone colder than the Void itself. "I am the Void. I do not seek reward. I seek balance. The gods cling to their light, forcing their will upon creation, while I remain forgotten, vilified. Through you, I will remind the realms that I am eternal."
Kael considered the offer, his mind racing. The Seraph had nearly destroyed him. He had fought with every ounce of his power, and it still hadn't been enough. If he was going to crush the gods and their champions, he needed more.
"Fine," he said at last. "We have a deal. But understand this—I'm not your servant. I'm your partner. I'll take your power, but I'll wield it my way."
The Void rumbled with amusement. "You are bold, Kael Draven. But boldness alone will not sustain you. Prove your worth, and the power of the Void will be yours."
---
Before Kael could respond, the ground beneath him shifted. The darkness around him condensed, forming an arena of shadowy stone. From the far end of the arena, a figure emerged—tall, armored, and wielding a jagged blade. Its eyes glowed with a sinister red light, and Kael recognized it immediately.
It was a Shadow Revenant, a warrior forged from the souls of those consumed by the Void.
"So, this is my trial?" Kael said, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
The Revenant didn't speak. It lunged forward with unnatural speed, its blade arcing toward Kael's throat. Kael sidestepped the attack, conjuring a shield of shadow to deflect the follow-up strike.
The Revenant was relentless, its attacks a flurry of precise and deadly blows. Kael countered with his own magic, sending tendrils of darkness to ensnare his opponent. The Revenant twisted free, its blade slicing through the tendrils with ease.
Kael cursed under his breath. This wasn't going to be as simple as he'd hoped.
---
The battle raged on, the sound of clashing steel and crackling magic echoing through the Void. Kael ducked and weaved, his movements a blur as he avoided the Revenant's attacks. But it was faster than anything he'd fought before, and its strikes left him with shallow cuts that burned with an otherworldly pain.
"Enough," Kael growled, planting his feet.
He thrust his hands forward, summoning a wave of shadow that engulfed the arena. The darkness swirled around the Revenant, trapping it in a vortex of pure Void energy. For a moment, it seemed the Revenant might break free, but Kael poured more power into the spell, tightening the vortex until it collapsed inward.
When the shadows faded, the Revenant was gone.
Kael stood panting, his body aching from the effort.
The Void's voice returned, its tone both approving and ominous. "You have proven your strength, Kael Draven. But strength alone is not enough. There is still much for you to learn."
Kael wiped blood from his lip, his smirk returning. "If you think this is me at my limit, you haven't been paying attention."
---
The arena dissolved, and Kael found himself standing once more in the endless expanse of the Void. The entity loomed above him, its form even more massive and imposing than before.
"I will grant you a fragment of my power," it said. "With it, you will become more than mortal. But be warned: the Void's power is not a gift. It is a burden, a responsibility. Use it wisely, or it will consume you."
Kael felt a surge of energy as the Void's essence flowed into him. His body burned with newfound strength, his mind flooded with knowledge of spells and powers he had never imagined. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy coursing through him.
"This... this is more like it," he said, his grin widening.
The Void's voice softened, but its presence remained overwhelming. "Go, Kael Draven. Return to the mortal realm. Show the gods the folly of their arrogance. And remember—your destiny is now intertwined with mine."
---
A rift opened before Kael, and he stepped through without hesitation.
He emerged in a dark forest, the air cool and still. Faye was there, waiting for him, her daggers drawn and her expression cautious.
"You're alive," she said, relief flickering across her face. "What happened in there?"
Kael's grin was feral, his silver eyes now tinged with a faint, eerie glow. "The Void happened."
Faye frowned. "And what does that mean for us?"
Kael looked to the horizon, where the faint light of the gods' domain glimmered like a distant star.
"It means the world isn't ready for what comes next."
---
Far above, in the celestial sanctum of the gods, the Seraph of Judgment knelt before her divine masters.
"He has returned," she said, her voice steady despite the weight of her failure. "Stronger than before. The Void has chosen him."
The gods murmured among themselves, their voices a chorus of light and harmony. Finally, one spoke, its voice carrying the weight of eternity.
"Then we must act swiftly. Kael Draven will not be allowed to rise unchecked. Summon the champions of the realms. The war begins now."