They call him the heartless demon.
A demon with no sense of remorse or empathy.
A creature that knows only to kill and feast upon his enemies.
Others call him a satanic being, capable and intelligent enough to comprehend the concept of morality but fully decided to act against it.
In his quest for power, he had stab the back of his own allies, and killed anyone that was foolish enough to block his path.
But perhaps, his journey could come to and end here.
The gate of the throne room opened with a bang. A two meter tall death knight appeared and spoke: “Master, the enemies breache—“
Before the undead could finish speaking, a long sword enveloped in bright light pierced through its chest.
“Malachi! Your undead army has been eradicated! This is where you’re going to die!”
Ten figures appeared by the gate. All of them wore thick and strong armor with powerful weapons in their hand.
“You won’t stand a chance against the ten of us. We are united here to destroy you once and for all!”
Malachi stood up from his throne of bones. His pale skin and sleepy eyes made it seem like he wasn’t even alive.
Suddenly, he snapped his finger and two undead werewolf with hideous sharp teeth and claws appeared beside him.
“Everyone, be careful! His necromancy power has manage to kill thousands of powerhouse before!”
“Malachi, your reign of darkness ends here!”
“In order to obtain power, you undead take the lives of the living. Vile creature! You don’t even deserve to exist!”
“And don’t forget that he had massacred an entire town just to devour their souls! My mother lived in that town! You! You killed my mother!”
“Is this your mother?” Malachi lifted a lantern and a small transparent figure was trapped inside. It was an old woman.
“Mother! You’re still alive! Demon, release her this instant!”
“HAHAHA!” Malachi crushed the lantern before grabbing the soul and tossing it in his mouth then chewing it as if he ate a snack.
“YOU BASTARD! I WILL KILL YOU!”
The ten powerful figures lunged towards him and they clashed in battles. As the battle commenced, the air crackled with magic, and spells of fire, ice, and lightning erupted. Undead kept coming out of the darkness before they were vaporized by powerful spells.
It was light against dark. The living against the dead.
When they approached and surrounded Malachi, he let out a haunting incantation that summoned a dark mist that enveloped the whole throne room.
After a good hour, the mist disappeared and the ten figures were terribly injured. They were all gasping for breath as they looked at Malachi sitting on his throne of bones with a sword in his neck.
“He’s on his last breath. We can kill him.”’
Malachi felt his power seeping away from him. His wounds were too much too bear. Even though he was an undead, the enemies before him used special weapons designed to specifically killed him.
There was no blood from his wounds, but white mist began to leak from them.
“Those are the souls he captured and devoured. They are finally free now.”
“That means he’s about to die. Our weapons are effective.”
Malachi knew his situation right now, but there was only calmness in his expression. Perhaps he had already accepted his fate. Did he feel regret? Maybe. His only regret right now was that he failed. He did not regret anything else.
Slowly, he stood up from his throne.
“Be careful everyone! I don’t think this demon will die without a fight.”
Everyone quickly stood up and entered a battle stance as they held their wounds.
“All of you are powerful and talented figures rarely seen of this world. Just like me, you stand above many others.”
“Don’t compare us to you, demon!”
Malachi became silent which made everyone else wary.
They were afraid of his abilities, so for hours in this tense situation, none of them even blink.
Malachi raised his hand and a serrated blade appeared.
Everyone began to take a few steps back.
Malachi sliced his right arm and blood spilled to the floor.
“He’s bleeding. How is that possible? Isn’t he an undead?”
“Undead wasn’t supposed to bleed. His other wounds don’t have the sign of blood.”
“Does that mean he was once a human?”
“Undead usually doesn’t have a mind of their own. Even powerful undead is a slave to their master. But I heard it was possible for someone to become an undead while being a master of your own mind. So many have failed and I thought it wasn’t possible. Who would have thought Malachi was once a human that can bleed.”
“He’s no longer a human that’s for sure.”
“Who is his human identity?”
“Whatever he was before, it doesn’t matter. We must stop him before he do something.”
The powerful figures decided to attack and prevent Malachi from casting his spell.
Malachi simply smiled as he saw them rushing towards him. “I am taking you all with me.”
Dark roots with thorns burst forth from his body.
……
“Where there is light, there is darkness. Lord of shadows. Lord of void. Consume light and fill this world in darkness.”
[The God of Darkness has answered your prayer]
“Tell me your wish,” a deep resonant voice came, carrying an air of power.
Malachi smiled. “Give me a chance to do it all over again.
“So be it.”
Darkness of the void came from below and engulfed him.
Malachi opened his eyes and found himself waking up on his bed. He looked around and recalled that this was his bedroom a long time ago.“I went back in time. The sacrificial ritual worked. It was a good thing that I captured and tortured more than 100,000 souls as offerings.” “The day that should be my end, becomes my beginning.” Malachi clenched his fist. “In this life, I will not face the same fate. I know the future. With my knowledge and vast battle experience, regaining my former strength shouldn’t be a problem.”Malachi had lived over hundreds of years. He had traveled far and wide, gaining uncountable experiences and knowledge in his journey. Information about valuable treasures and their locations were kept inside his head. These treasures were his trump card.He was certain that no one would get to them before he did.“But I have to start training if I want to obtain those treasures.”Most of the treasures were located in extremely dangerous places. Going to these places r
A long ago, when Malachi was just a 5 year old child. There was only him and his mother. Malachi never knew who his father was, and even though his mother was extremely wealthy, he was still jealous of his friends who had their own father to play with.His mother realize this and always tried to bring a man home, but none of them were suitable. His mother was beautiful. The most beautiful the town ever seen. She was also extremely wealthy. No man should ever rejected her, but she was also very picky because she wanted to give Malachi a great father.A man then came into their life. A novice of the Path of Divinity which was the religion of this empire. Any figure of the church in any level were admired and respected as they were serving the god himself. His mother was charmed by this man. He had nothing. No wealth, no status, not even strength in magic. All he had was his words. Yet, that was enough to convince his mother that he was the right man.Aldric. That was his name. Even th
“Do you have any plan?” Seraphina asked.“I have one in my mind. Before that, tell me about your role. Are you some sort of spokesperson for the system?”“You can say that. The system is quite rigid and doesn’t really have a mind on its own. I am more flexible and can answer more of your questions. I can also give out suggestions or advice.”“What are you specialized in?”Seraphina smiled. “Before you, I have assisted dozens powerful necromancer and dark lords. I believe you will need my knowledge someday.” Malachi’s perspectives of her changed. If she truly had assisted powerful necromancer before, then her knowledge could really help him in the future. It seemed like the dark god was fostering a lot of villains in many worlds.‘Could I surpass a figure like that someday?’ Malachi shook his head. ‘Anything is possible. Even time could be reversed. I will reach the highest peak of power even if I have to build a mountain of corpses to do it.’Malachi walked out of his room. He met so
Malachi went through his days with the same routines. Waking up in the morning and forced to drink the poisoned tea after Aldric slap him in the face. He didn’t fight back and simply do as told.Whenever Lily came and told him to prostate on the ground, he would do so without a word which made her laugh. He did all this knowing that he would pay them back a thousand time one day.The sky was covered with gray clouds today, seemingly about to rain. Inside the Mansion of the second floor, all of the opened windows began to be closed by the maid. The wind blew quite hard.“It rarely rains in Trilea.” Aldric frowned as he walked through the hallway, gazing at the sky through the window. “Something doesn’t seems right. Especially that kid Malachi. He used to stare at me with anger and fight back but all of a sudden he turned soft and meek. I can’t let my guard down.”Aldric snapped his finger and a maid walked towards him before bowing. “You called, master?”“Check on that boy. Make sur
“I am thankful of this opportunity, father. But I will need a little time to prepare myself. After all, I might not see you and lily for a long time. I will also miss this house.”“That won’t be—““Actually, that’s a good idea,” Thaddeus said. “I am leaving in a few days. In the meantime, you should spend more time with your father. The academy is far from here, make sure you don’t have any regrets after you go.”Aldric couldn’t say anything else after that. He wanted Malachi to leave as soon as possible, but delaying it for a few days shouldn’t be a problem. “But, I sensed some sort of magical presence around you Malachi. It’s been bothering me ever since I entered your room and noticed that. Would you care to tell me about it?”“Magical presence? I haven’t learned any magic yet, professor.”Aldric frowned.“Every person actually has magical presence around them, one is more distinguishable than the others. Yours are the distinguishable type which mean there was a chance that you ma
Divine Empire of Iaionia was a vast empire that revolves around a central religion known as The Path of Divinity. The religion taught that the empire was divinely chosen by the gods to rule over the land and its people. The Divine Emperor was considered the living representative of the gods, and his decrees were considered sacred and unquestionable.The empire’s culture was deeply rooted in its religious beliefs. Devotion to the god was paramount, and festivals, prayers, and sacrifices were common. The Divine Emperor was the absolute ruler, considered divine in their own right. The Emperor’s decision were guided by the Council of High Priest, influential religious figure responsible for interpreting divine will and advising on governance matters.The High Priest was not an easy position to obtain. Every member of the High Priest were extremely talented and skilled magicians in the art of holy magic, said to be capable of creating miracles encompassing an entire town or landscape. In l
Amidst the garden's tranquility, Aldric's shock was palpable as his trembling hands clutched the edge of the table. The realization of Malachi's extraordinary talent had shifted the balance of power in a way he had not anticipated. The implications of an A grade talent's accelerated rate of comprehension loomed ominously over him."I... I never realized the extent of an A grade talent's capabilities," Aldric stammered, his words faltering with anxiety. Professor Thaddeus observed Aldric with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Father Aldric, is something the matter?"Aldric took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure. "No, it's just... the news about Malachi's talent has taken me by surprise. I never imagined the depth of his potential."Professor Thaddeus chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the underlying tension. "Ah, I can understand your astonishment. A rare gem like Malachi could indeed alter the course of the empire's future. It's a testament to the gods' favor upon this l
“What are you going to do now?” Seraphina asked.“I am going back to the mansion.” Malachi immediately ran to the direction where he came from.Seraphina was confused. He retrieved the book of necromancy. From a logical perspective, Malachi should have run far away from this place and learn the art before slowly regaining his former power. If revenge was what he wanted, he could wait until he gain sufficient strength. With the memories of his past life, that shouldn’t be difficult. ‘So why is he heading back to the mansion now?’ Seraphina pondered.As Malachi sprinted through the forest, clutching the book of necromancy tightly in his hands, his mind raced with conflicting emotions. As they neared the mansion, the sounds of rustling leaves were replaced by the distant murmurs of people. The moon's soft glow began to illuminate their path as darkness settled over the landscape. “Seraphina, fly ahead and inform me if there are any guards.”“The guards are still patrolling,” Seraphina
After the unsettling events of the evening, Malachi made his way back to his room within the estate, his footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit corridors. Upon entering, he gracefully sank onto the bed, exhaling a calculated sigh of feigned exhaustion. He sprawled there, his posture a picture of weariness, yet his mind was anything but at rest. Malachi was acutely aware of the ever-watchful eyes that monitored his every move, invisible threads of scrutiny woven throughout the noble’s domain.No sooner had he settled than the door creaked open, revealing a maid pushing a cart laden with refreshments: a pitcher of fresh orange juice, an assortment of fruits, and an array of snacks. She approached with a quiet efficiency, placing the cart beside him with a deferential bow before turning to leave, her movements practiced and unobtrusive.Malachi’s gaze followed her departure, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, appreciating the predictable routine of hospitality—or perhaps, su
In the moonlit garden of the estate, an air of anticipation and amusement filled the air as Malachi and the tall, blonde nobleman faced each other. The gathering of nobles, drawn by the prospect of a light sparring session between the renowned Malachi and one of their own, stood around in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright glee.The nobleman, his rapier hanging elegantly at his waist, introduced himself with a flourish. “I am Lord Edric, a humble practitioner of the blade,” he said, his voice carrying a note of pride. He offered Malachi a slight nod, the gesture a subtle acknowledgment of respect typically given to a commoner by a noble.Malachi, understanding the nuances of the gesture, responded in kind. He bent his knees slightly and bowed his head, maintaining eye contact with Lord Edric. This posture indicated his respect for the noble’s status, yet it also conveyed his readiness to engage fully in the spar.As they prepared to begin, another nobl
As Malachi stepped into the grand hall of the estate, he was immediately struck by the opulence that surrounded him. The room was a dazzling array of colors and lights, filled with beautiful women in flowing gowns and handsome nobles in their finest attire. Each person there held a tall standing, rulers of their own territories, their power and influence palpable in the air.Surveying the room, Malachi couldn’t help but think that this gathering was much more significant than he had initially anticipated. The small, relatively poor town he had been staying in seemed an unlikely place to draw the attention of such high-ranking nobility. His reputation, it seemed, had spread far and wide, or perhaps these nobles were facing a threat so grave that they were willing to use any means to increase their odds of survival.As he mingled through the crowd, a noble approached him. The man carried himself with an air of authority and grace, his eyes sharp and assessing.“Master Malachi, it’s a
In the heart of the city, amidst the bustling training grounds, Malachi was deeply engaged in instructing a group of new recruits. His methods were unconventional, yet highly effective, drawing a crowd of onlookers who watched in awe. The children he had trained stood by, observing and learning from his every move.As Malachi demonstrated a complex maneuver, a soldier approached him, navigating through the crowd with a sense of purpose. The soldier, clad in the city’s guard uniform, carried himself with a respectful demeanor.“Master Malachi,” the soldier called out, drawing Malachi’s attention. The recruits paused, turning to witness the interaction.Malachi turned, his expression calm and inquisitive. “What is it?” he asked, his tone neither welcoming nor dismissive.The soldier bowed slightly, a sign of deep respect. “I bring a message for you, sir,” he said, extending his hand to present a magnificent letter. The envelope was adorned with gold embellishments, its craftsmanship ind
As Garrick, driven by a mix of rage and desperation, charged towards Malachi, the air around them seemed to crackle with tension. Malachi, his expression unchanging, calmly assessed his adversary. He knew the bandit leader was no match for him, but he also understood the importance of making a statement.In a fluid, almost effortless motion, Malachi extended his hand, summoning the shadows around him. A bolt of dark energy, pulsating with malevolent power, coalesced in his palm. With a flick of his wrist, he released the Dark Bolt, directing it straight at Garrick.The bolt tore through the air with a hiss, striking Garrick squarely in the chest. The impact was devastating, the dark energy consuming him in an instant. Garrick’s body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, a look of shock forever etched on his face.As Garrick fell, a notification flashed.[You have killed a bandit].[You have received 20 soul points]. These acknowledgments of his deed were mere formalities to Malachi, insi
The aftermath of the raid was a scene of chilling efficiency. The bandits, with ruthless precision, gathered the trembling women and herded them back to their camp. The night air was heavy with a mix of fear and resignation as the captives shuffled along, their futures uncertain.At the camp, the bandits, with a twisted sense of hospitality, allowed their captives to clean themselves. The women, still in shock, moved robotically, their minds numbed by the night’s horrors.As the women bathed under the watchful eyes of their captors, Malachi observed them with a detached curiosity. His gaze was analytical, searching for any sign of rebellion or escape plans. But all he saw were broken spirits and defeated bodies.Later, as the bandits gathered around a roaring fire, the leader, a burly man named Garrick, made his appearance. His eyes, dark and calculating, scanned the captives with a predatory gaze. “Well done, boys,” he praised his men. “A fine haul tonight.”Malachi, still in his dis
The city, usually bustling with the everyday clamor of its inhabitants, was blissfully unaware of the new threat lurking within its walls. A group of bandits, cunningly disguised as merchants, made their way through the city gates. The guards, diligent but unsuspecting, waved them through without a second glance. But the keen eyes of the street children, who had learned to notice the unusual in their daily struggle for survival, immediately sensed something amiss.Eli, one of the children who had recently started training under Malachi, narrowed his eyes as he watched the carriage trundle through the streets. “Something’s not right about them,” he muttered to his companions. The group of children, their curiosity piqued, decided to follow the disguised bandits at a safe distance.The carriage, instead of heading towards the bustling market square as one would expect from merchants, stopped at a restaurant near the military barracks. The bandits chose a table outside, ostensibly to enj
The following day dawned with a new challenge for the children under Malachi’s tutelage. As the sun rose, casting its golden rays over the barracks, Malachi led them into the dense forest where the soldiers were already engaged in a hunt. The soldiers, formidable and seasoned, moved with precision and confidence, hunting giant bears, wolves, and other fearsome beasts.“Watch closely,” Malachi instructed the children. “Observe their tactics, their coordination. There is much to learn from them.”The soldiers, aware of their young audience, seemed to take pride in their prowess. They displayed extravagant moves, working in pairs to efficiently track and take down their targets. Each move was a blend of strength and strategy, a dance between predator and prey.The children, wide-eyed with amazement, whispered among themselves, pointing out the soldiers’ techniques and the fluidity of their actions. They were particularly impressed by how even in the face of danger, the soldiers maintaine
After the refreshing bath in the lake, Malachi's demeanor shifted from nurturing to demanding. "Now, we run," he announced, his tone leaving no room for debate. The children, still catching their breath from the earlier exercise, exchanged weary glances but dutifully followed as Malachi set off at a steady pace.The run was grueling. Malachi led them over several kilometers of undulating hills, each ascent more challenging than the last. Then, without warning, he veered off towards a mountainous terrain. The children's legs burned with fatigue, their breaths shallow and rapid. The sun, now high in the sky, beat down mercilessly, adding to their exhaustion.Some of the children began to falter, their steps slowing, bodies slumping towards the ground. Voices of protest rose among them, pleading for a respite. Malachi, however, was unyielding. "Keep going," he commanded. "True warriors find strength even in their weakest moments. This training is not for the faint-hearted."His words, t