Kael Draven sat alone in the ruins of a cathedral, his silver eyes burning with an intensity that bordered on madness. The once-proud warrior, feared across the realms for his cunning and power, had been reduced to a man consumed by a single, unrelenting desire.
The Void had not appeared to him for days. Its whispers, once a constant companion, had grown faint and distant. The absence gnawed at Kael like a hunger that could never be sated. Every moment without its touch was agony, every second a reminder of how much he needed it.
He leaned forward, his hands gripping the broken stone altar before him. "Void," he muttered, his voice low and desperate. "Come back to me."
The shadows flickered, but there was no reply. Kael clenched his fists, his frustration mounting.
"You can't ignore me forever," he growled. "You belong to me. You said it yourself."
The silence was deafening. Kael's breathing grew heavier, his thoughts spiraling into darker and darker places.
---
When the Void finally spoke, its voice was soft but firm, resonating within Kael's mind. **"You are losing yourself, Kael. This obsession will destroy you."**
Kael's head snapped up, his silver eyes widening. "Destroy me? No, you're wrong. You're the only thing keeping me alive."
The Void's presence flickered faintly in the shadows, its form still intangible. **"I gave you power, Kael. I gave you purpose. But this hunger you feel—it is not strength. It is weakness."**
Kael stood, his body trembling with anger and desperation. "Weakness? You think this is weakness? You're wrong. This is devotion. This is loyalty. You said we were one, Void. Don't you feel it too?"
The Void hesitated, its glowing eyes appearing briefly in the darkness. **"What I feel is irrelevant. You are my champion, Kael Draven. Your purpose is to unmake the gods, not to waste your existence chasing fleeting pleasure."**
"Fleeting?" Kael repeated, his voice rising. "What we have isn't fleeting! It's real. It's eternal. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way."
---
The shadows shifted, and the Void's form began to solidify, its presence growing stronger. **"Whatever it takes?"** it asked, its tone tinged with curiosity.
Kael stepped forward, his expression fierce. "Anything. I'll destroy the gods, burn the mortal realms, tear apart the heavens if I have to. Just tell me what you want, and it's yours."
The Void moved closer, its form towering over him. **"Your hunger blinds you, Kael. You do not see the danger in your words."**
"I don't care about danger," Kael said, his voice trembling. "I care about you."
The Void was silent for a long moment, its glowing eyes fixed on him. Finally, it spoke, its tone colder now. **"Then prove it. Show me that your devotion is more than empty words."**
Kael's heart raced. "Name it. Whatever you want, I'll do it."
The Void extended a hand, its shadowy fingers brushing against his cheek. **"There is a city to the north,"** it said. **"A city under the gods' protection. Its people worship the light, and their prayers strengthen the divine anchors. Destroy it. Leave nothing but ashes."**
Kael hesitated for only a moment. "Consider it done."
---
The city of Meridios was a beacon of light in a darkening world. Its golden spires reached toward the heavens, and its streets were filled with the sound of hymns and prayers. The people here believed in the gods' protection, their faith unwavering even as Kael's shadow spread across the realms.
That faith was about to be shattered.
Kael arrived at the city gates under the cover of night, the shadows bending and twisting around him as he approached. The guards didn't even have time to scream before he dispatched them, their bodies crumpling to the ground in silence.
He stepped into the city, his silver eyes scanning the streets. The Void's presence whispered in his mind, guiding him. **"Burn it all, Kael. Let their faith crumble to dust."**
Kael raised a hand, summoning a wave of dark energy that swept through the city. Buildings collapsed, their golden facades reduced to rubble. The screams of the townspeople filled the air as Kael unleashed his wrath, sparing no one.
He moved through the streets like a force of nature, his power growing with each act of destruction. The Void's whispers grew louder, encouraging him, praising him.
**"Good, Kael. This is what devotion looks like. This is how you prove yourself to me."**
---
By the time the sun rose, Meridios was no more. The once-proud city had been reduced to a smoldering ruin, its people scattered or dead. Kael stood in the center of the destruction, his body trembling with exhaustion and exhilaration.
"Void," he called out, his voice hoarse. "I've done what you asked. Now come to me."
The shadows shifted, and the Void's form appeared before him, more solid and tangible than ever. Its glowing eyes regarded him with a mixture of pride and amusement.
**"You have done well, Kael Draven,"** it said. **"Your loyalty is unquestionable."**
Kael stepped forward, his gaze hungry. "Then give me what I want. No more games. No more tests. I need you."
The Void hesitated, its form flickering faintly. **"Kael, this hunger of yours—it will destroy everything we have built."**
"I don't care," Kael said, his voice trembling with desperation. "I'll destroy everything if it means I can have you."
---
The Void's form solidified, and it stepped closer to Kael, its presence overwhelming. **"You would burn the world for me?"** it asked, its tone softer now.
"Yes," Kael said without hesitation. "I'd burn the world, the heavens, the gods—everything. Just don't leave me."
The Void reached out, its hand brushing against Kael's cheek. **"Very well, Kael Draven. You shall have what you desire."**
The connection between them ignited once more, their essences intertwining in a way that defied mortal comprehension. Kael felt his power surge, the Void's presence filling every corner of his being. But even as they merged, the hunger within him grew stronger, more insatiable.
No matter how much the Void gave him, it was never enough.
---
Days turned into weeks, and Kael's obsession only deepened. He called upon the Void constantly, demanding its presence, its touch, its love. Each time it appeared, the connection left him craving more, and each time it withdrew, the emptiness threatened to consume him.
The gods' champions came for him, but they were nothing more than distractions, obstacles in his relentless pursuit of the Void. Kael tore through them without mercy, his only thought being how quickly he could return to the one thing that mattered.
"Void," he whispered one night, his voice raw. "You said we were one. Then why do I feel like I'm falling apart without you?"
The Void's form appeared before him, its glowing eyes filled with an emotion Kael couldn't quite name. **"Because you are mortal, Kael. And mortals are ruled by their desires."**
Kael reached for it, his hands trembling. "Then make me something more. Take away this hunger. Make me whole."
The Void hesitated, its form flickering faintly. **"If I do that, Kael, you will lose what makes you who you are."**
"I don't care," Kael said, his voice breaking. "I can't keep going like this. I'll do anything. Just don't leave me."
---
The Void stepped closer, its presence wrapping around Kael like a shroud. **"You are mine, Kael Draven,"** it said, its tone both tender and final. **"And I am yours. But this path you are on—it will consume you. Remember that."**
Kael nodded, his silver eyes filled with desperation. "I don't care about the path. I only care about you."
As the Void enveloped him once more, Kael felt the hunger subside, if only for a moment. But deep down, he knew the craving would return.
And this time, it might destroy him for good.
---
Far above, the gods watched with grim determination.
"He is lost," one said.
Another shook their head. "No. He is more dangerous than ever."
The leader of the council spoke, their voice filled with resolve. "Then we must act quickly. Kael Draven's obsession may be his undoing, but it will take the realms with it if we do not stop him."
The heavens trembled as the final battle loomed ever closer.