The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 74: Secrets of the Darkness God

Chapter 74: Secrets of the Darkness God

Back in the academy, the Vice Principal entered the Principal’s office. As usual, the Principal sat wearing his golden monocle, busy writing on papers scattered messily across the desk.

As he heard footsteps approach in the dimly lit office, he looked up and saw a shining bald head standing before him. The Principal removed his monocle, leaned back in his chair, and asked in his thick, aged voice with a serious tone,

"Jasper, what brings you here? Last time I checked, you were on a mission with the kids. Is it already finished?"

The Vice Principal sat down with a worried expression and replied in a serious voice,

"About that..."

The Principal’s eyes narrowed as he straightened up.

Jasper continued, sweat forming on his shiny bald head from the pressure,

"The portal the students entered was classified as C-rank and located outside Thunderstorm City... but... it vanished."

Silence echoed through the room.

Then—suddenly—the pressure of a Sage filled the space.

Jasper’s expression tightened. It felt as if mountains were weighing on his shoulders.

Boom!

The pressure vanished.

The Vice Principal gasped like a fish out of water.

The Principal stood up and walked to the large window behind his chair. He pulled open the drapes, flooding the room with light, and stared at the stormy sea below, crashing into the mountains.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he asked in a deep voice,

"How many years have you been here?"

Now calm and composed, the Vice Principal answered with a nostalgic smile,

"It’s been fifty years, Principal. I’ve seen everything. As a commoner, I often felt helpless when I couldn’t protect students who came from the same background."

The Principal turned toward him with a faint smile and said,

"Yes... You were a good teacher. You may leave, Jasper. We’ll wait for a month. If the children don’t return by then, inform their parents—and the others."

Back in the forest where darkness ruled, Meika moved silently, her sleek black leather armour blending with the shadows.

As she passed through the woods, she came across igloo-like houses made from black stone, seamlessly merging with the gloom. They were scattered in the heart of the forest, surrounded by dense trees.

Children made of darkness — shadowy figures resembling human kids — moved around, playing with glowing eyes.

In the center of the strange village stood a four-sided pillar. Each side bore an eye—dark, abyss-like eyes—that seemed to watch every movement in this shadowy realm.

Meika hesitated. Are they humans? What’s going on here? Why does that pillar feel sacred, like something meant to be worshipped?

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice one of the children approaching, watching her curiously.

When she finally saw the strange child beside her, she stumbled back and fell onto her rear.

"Ouch!"

The child screamed in a strange hissing sound.

Other children, hearing the noise, rushed over. They surrounded Meika, crouching like animals. Some looked at her curiously, others sniffed her, and a few touched her sleek leather armour.

Meika’s eyes widened. Fear gripped her heart. They’re darkness... no, they look human—but they’re not. Are they children of darkness? How is that possible? Impossible... right?

Adults soon followed, drawn by the commotion. Their glowing eyes widened when they saw Meika. They immediately moved the children away and knelt before her.

They began hissing words in a language Meika couldn’t understand.

Then came another adult—this one more intelligent-looking, holding a dark staff with a curved circle at its peak. The figure came near and gently held Meika’s face with cold hands.

Upon seeing Meika’s eyes, the figure immediately knelt and hissed, "Hisss... Darkness... hisss... God’s... hisss... spawn!"

Meika’s swirling thoughts froze. She stood straight like an arrow and looked at the kneeling villagers.

The one who inspected her stood and gestured for her to follow. Meika, understanding the gesture, followed and finally entered the village she had been watching from afar just moments ago.

Now, she could see the igloo-like houses surrounded by dark flowers with jagged mouths. She was led into the biggest house in the center, near the pillar.

As she entered, she saw carved writings in a familiar language, with images decorating the walls of the igloo.

"Welcome, stranger. Or should I call you the human blessed by me—The Eternal Darkness."

Meika’s eyes widened. Is it talking to me?

Her gaze fell on the second line:

"Yes, I, the Great One, am addressing you beyond time."

Meika stumbled back, and a shocked cry left her mouth:

"WHAT?!"

"Now listen carefully."

Suddenly, carvings began to appear:

A being with two hands, two legs, two glowing eyes, and a mouth was shown landing on the planet from outer space.

Next, another carving showed a peaceful village resembling the one outside.

Slowly, more people—similar to the being—appeared.

Then, an eagle came above the peaceful village. Its eyes were menacing, its beak twisted in a cruel smile. In its path followed lightning, devastating everything.

The being emerged from the village and confronted the eagle.

A battle began: the being wielded swirling darkness, the eagle fought with lightning.

Another carving showed the being forming a storm of dark energy—just as the eagle flashed past and landed in the village.

The peaceful village became the center of a lightning storm. The eagle was shown enjoying its slaughter, holding a child in its beak. The child’s glowing eyes were filled with despair.

Then, the final image: the dark being kneeling before the eagle.

The carvings ended with the words:

"I, The Eternal Darkness, knelt to save... only to become a slave."

Meika’s eyes widened. Her thoughts were in chaos.

Is this the story of the God of Darkness... enslaved by the Thunder God? No. It can’t be... right?

She let out a long sigh, resentment thick in her voice.

"Why does it feel like this is a prison made by the Thunder God?"

Nothing appeared on the wall as she kept waiting, she looked toward the person who led her here still kneeling.

She thought what should I do? Where would others be?

Far away from her, in a dark hill, a small cave had formed naturally. Inside, dim green light bathed the rocky walls. Four shadows sat in a circle. A faintly glowing eyed wolf rested beside one of them.

The sound of chewing echoed, sharp in the heavy silence.

Breaking the uncomfortable quiet in the overwhelming darkness, Rina spoke.

"It’s been three days, and we haven’t improved at all... That training is terrifying."

Lyra responded with clear sarcasm in her voice, "We improved. You didn’t. You always come back early."

Rina’s voice turned sheepish. "That... It’s just... the forest is really scary."

Alex answered calmly, "Rina, Lyra’s right. You’re not trying hard enough. Everyone else is doing their best to adapt to this environment. Our lives are on the line... and so is Meika’s."

Rina lowered her head and nodded in the dim green light. She quietly continued eating without another word.

I am trying... but the darkness terrifies me.

What should I do, Mother? Mother, please help me...

Lyra kept eating, lost in her own thoughts.

I have to get out of here. I need to see Riven... He must be worried sick. He might actually kill someone if I don’t get back soon.

Kaelan’s sharp voice cut through the silence. "What were those black figures with glowing eyes?"

Alex replied thoughtfully, "We don’t know. But I don’t think they wanted to kill us. They hated the light. After they dropped you, they left and never returned."

He paused.

Then added in a grave tone, "But if we use light again, they’ll come back. And next time, they might not leave us alive."

Lyra interjected, "Alex is right. We have to be careful. We’re like blind people in here... and a blind person can’t fight someone who can see."

Kaelan nodded, his voice frustrated and defeated. "I get it. That’s why I’m doing the training. But this darkness... it’s suffocating. I can’t use my power attacks or I’ll attract more threats. It feels like my wings are clipped."

Silence followed. No one spoke.

Then Kaelan added, his voice tighter, more bitter, "You guys don’t get it... You can use your powers freely."

Lyra looked at him with sympathy. "Don’t worry. We’ll leave this place soon."

Alex finished eating and stood up. "I’m going to do extra training. You guys rest."

He turned and began crawling through the narrow passage.

"Come on, Hati."

He left the cave and moved deep into the dense forest, far from his usual spot. There, he sat down and let the forest speak.

He heard the sounds... felt the shift of air... recognized the familiar, earthy scent of leaves and moss.

Then—rustling.

Something crept toward him, silent and deliberate. Like a predator closing in on its prey.

Just as it struck, Alex dodged the whipping vine by a hair’s breadth, flipping onto the grass.

He grinned to himself and muttered, "I think I’ve improved... a little."