Capítulo 22: Unleashing Shadows

As Kael spoke the word "Necro," a sudden shift occurred in the world around him.

The ground shook violently, and the sky turned a deep shade of purple.

The crack in the earth expanded, swallowing everything in its path.

Kael watched as Raven's body was pulled into the abyss, disappearing from sight.

Lyra screamed, her eyes wide with fear as she stumbled back.

As the chaos continued, Kael felt a surge of power through his body.

Kael gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with fierce hatred. The pain of losing Raven and the hate he felt for Beelzebub had ignited a fire within him. As he stood up, a surge of power coursed through his veins, enveloped his body in a swirling aura of black-purple energy. It was a power he had never felt before, raw and untamed.

Kael's eyes burned with intense hatred. The weight of his loss and betrayal fueled a surge of power within him. As he rose to his feet, his body became enveloped in an eerie aura of black-purple energy, crackling and pulsating with an otherworldly intensity. It was a power he had never experienced before, coursing through his veins like a tempest of darkness.

In the midst of this overwhelming energy, the word "NECRO." resonated in Kael's mind, unfamiliar and yet strangely empowering. The word slipped past his lips, uttered in a hushed tone that echoed through the depths of the forest. The sound carried an air of mystery and ancient power, as if calling forth forces long forgotten.

As the word escaped Kael's lips, the forest seemed to hold its breath. The air grew still, the leaves on the trees stilled in their rustling dance, and the very essence of the surroundings paused in anticipation. Yet, amidst this momentary silence, Beelzebub vanished from sight.

One second, the demon lord had stood before Kael with an air of arrogance, his sinister gaze fixed upon his enemies. But in the next heartbeat, he was gone, as if consumed by the very shadows that had birthed him. There was no trace of him, no lingering essence or fading silhouette.

Kael's cold expression remained unchanged, his eyes narrowing with determination and mistrust. He understood that Beelzebub's disappearance was not a sign of defeat but rather a cunning retreat. This was a ploy to regroup and strike with greater ferocity. The demon lord was far from defeated, and the battle between them was far from over.

His gaze swept across the forest, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger or hidden adversaries. The aura of black-purple energy that enveloped him cast an ominous glow, intensifying the shadows around him. It was as if Kael had become an embodiment of darkness itself, his once warm and vibrant features now transformed into a chilling visage.

In that moment, anyone who dared to meet Kael's gaze would be met with an unsettling coldness—a piercing glare that bore into the very depths of their beings. His eyes, once filled with curiosity and compassion, had turned into two orbs of icy determination. The warmth they once radiated had been extinguished, replaced by an impenetrable veil of distrust and detachment.

Lyra looked on with a mix of awe and concern. Lyra's gentle features were etched with worry, her eyes searching Kael's for a glimpse of the person he once was.

"Kael, can you explain to me what is happening to you?" Lyra's voice trembled with both fear and compassion.

Kael's gaze met hers, but it was different now. The warmth and vulnerability that once resided in his eyes had been replaced with an icy determination. "What do you think." he admitted, his voice laced with a coldness that startled even himself. "There's one thing I know for sure, I will not let him get away with what he's done."

Lyra, a voice filled with concern, stepped forward. "We've come this far together. I won't abandon you now, no matter."

A flicker of gratitude flashed in Kael's eyes before being swallowed by darkness. "Thank you."

From this moment onward, Kael would be driven solely by his own goals and desires, his actions fueled by a relentless pursuit of justice and retribution. He would show little emotion or warmth, viewing others with suspicion and maintaining an emotional distance from them. The wounds of his past had forged him into a solitary figure, determined to forge his own path regardless of the cost. As the forest trembled under the weight of his aura, Kael took a step forward, his footsteps shrouded in darkness. The world would soon learn the true extent of his power, and those who stood in his way would face the full force of his wrath.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Lyra's voice broke the tense silence. "Kael, do you think there's any chance we can still save Raven?"

Kael's jaw clenched, his grip tightening on his weapon. "I don't know," he replied. His voice was hardened. "But I won't let her sacrifice be in vain. I will make that demon pay for what he's done."

Lyra's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she nodded, her faith in Kael unyielding.

Their journey led them to an ancient ruin hidden deep within the forest. It was a place Lyra had spoken of—a location that was rumored to be hidden.

Kael's mind raced with conflicting emotions as he stood there, shrouded in the aura of black-purple energy. The revelation of being used by gods had left him feeling betrayed and angry. The weight of this newfound knowledge weighed heavily on his shoulders. He couldn't help but question the true motives behind the artifacts and his role in this grand scheme.

As they entered the crumbling structure, Kael's senses were heightened. He could feel the weight of the past bearing down on him, the lingering power of the gods that had bestowed upon him their artifacts.

Lyra, sensing the turmoil within Kael, stepped forward with a determined expression on her face. "Kael," she began, her voice filled with a mix of concern and urgency, "there's something you need to see. It's information that was entrusted to us, too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands."

Intrigued yet cautious, Kael regarded Lyra, his gaze piercing through the shadows cast by his darkened aura. "What kind of information?" he asked. His voice was tinged with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Lyra took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a glimmer of both fear and determination. "It's knowledge about the true nature of the artifacts, Kael. The truth that the gods wanted you to carry, but now that you know the truth, it's up to you to decide what to do with it."

The weight of responsibility settled upon Kael's shoulders, his mind racing with the possibilities of what this information could entail. He had trusted the gods blindly, believing in their wisdom and guidance. But now, as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, he realized that their intentions may not have been as noble as he had once thought.

He looked around at his remaining companion, Lyra. Her expressions mixed anticipation and uncertainty. The fate of the world rested in his hands, and the burden of that responsibility weighed heavily upon him.

"What is this information?" Kael asked, his voice steady but tinged with resolve. "Tell me what the gods want me to know."

Lyra hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with apprehension and determination. She reached into her bag and pulled out a weathered scroll, ancient symbols etched on its surface. Unrolling it carefully, she revealed a map depicting a hidden location—a place of forbidden knowledge.

"This," Lyra said, her voice quivering slightly, "is the map to the Forbidden Archives. It contains knowledge that could change the course of history, but in the wrong hands, it could bring unimaginable chaos and destruction."

Kael's eyes widened as he stared at the map, his mind racing with the implications of what lay within those archives. It was a revelation that neither he nor his companions could have anticipated—a secret so profound and dangerous that it shook the very foundation of their understanding.

As the weight of this revelation settled upon Kael, he realized that he now possessed a choice—a choice that would shape not only his own destiny but also the fate of the world. The gods may have used him as a pawn in their grand scheme, but now he held the power to determine his own path. He could either continue to serve their agenda, or he could choose to stand up and fight for what he thought was right. He knew that either way, his decision would have profound consequences.

Kael's eyes flashed with defiance and purpose. He had been betrayed, manipulated, and used, but he would not allow himself to be a mere pawn in the gods' game any longer.

"I will take this knowledge, Lyra," Kael said firmly, his voice resolute. "I will uncover the truth hidden within the Forbidden Archives and decide for myself what needs to be done." He stepped forward, determined to face whatever danger lay ahead. He was ready to accept the consequences of his choices, whatever they may be. He was ready to fight for what he believed in.

His eyes narrowed, Kael turned his attention to the shadows surrounding him.