Dark trudged forward, the weight of his recent experiences pressing heavily on his mind. The restored world around him seemed both familiar and alien, and he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. As he walked, a strange, shimmering portal appeared before him, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. Unable to resist its pull, Dark stepped through the portal and found himself in a vast, otherworldly arena.
The arena was a colossal structure, filled with beings from countless dimensions. The sky above was a swirling vortex of colors, and the ground beneath was a mix of obsidian and luminescent crystals. The stands were filled with spectators—powerful entities capable of bending reality and reshaping the world with a mere thought.
Dark looked around, feeling the immense power emanating from the crowd. He knew he was outmatched, but he also knew he had no choice but to fight.
Announcer: Welcome to the Arena of the Immortals! Today, we witness the clash of realities and the struggle for survival! Our first combatant, hailing from the realm of shadows, is the enigmatic Dark!
The crowd roared with anticipation as Dark stepped into the center of the arena. Across from him, a figure materialized—a towering warrior adorned in shimmering armor, wielding a massive, glowing warhammer. The warrior's eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, and the air around him crackled with raw energy.
Announcer: And his opponent, the Conqueror of Realms, the Devourer of Stars, the mighty Azrak!
Azrak raised his warhammer, the sheer force of his presence causing the ground to tremble. Dark swallowed hard, feeling the immense power of his opponent. The battle began with a deafening clash as Azrak charged forward, his warhammer descending with a force that could shatter mountains.
Dark dodged the initial strike, barely avoiding the devastating blow. He countered with a flurry of strikes, but Azrak's armor deflected them effortlessly. Azrak swung his warhammer again, this time connecting with Dark and sending him sprawling across the arena floor.
The crowd erupted in cheers, savoring the spectacle of the battle. Dark struggled to his feet, feeling the bruises and pain from Azrak's strike. He knew he couldn't keep up with the sheer power of his opponent. As Azrak advanced, Dark felt a dark presence stirring within him.
Dark: (thinking) No... not now... I can't let him take control...
But the more he resisted, the stronger the presence became. Azrak raised his warhammer for the final strike, and in that moment, Dark's resistance crumbled. His eyes darkened, and a sinister smile spread across his face.
Sukojo: (thinking) It's time.
Just as Azrak's warhammer descended, Dark's body moved with blinding speed. He looked up at Azrak, his eyes glowing with an eerie light. The warhammer shattered upon contact, the force of Sukojo's power radiating outward.
Sukojo: (mockingly) Oh, did I break your toy? How clumsy of me.
Azrak staggered back, shock and confusion evident on his face. Sukojo stood up, dusting himself off casually. The crowd fell silent, sensing the shift in power.
Sukojo: (laughing) What a pitiful display. Is this the best you have? I expected more from the so-called Conqueror of Realms.
He looked around the arena, his eyes gleaming with amusement and malice.
Sukojo: (mockingly) Look at all of you, sitting there like gods. You think you're powerful? You think you can control reality? How amusing.
Azrak, enraged, charged at Sukojo again, but Sukojo effortlessly sidestepped the attack, delivering a devastating punch that sent Azrak crashing into the arena wall.
Sukojo: (laughing) Come on, Azrak. You can do better than that. Or can you?
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Sukojo toyed with Azrak, his movements a blur of lethal precision. Every strike was met with a counter, every attack nullified by Sukojo's overwhelming power.
Sukojo: (mockingly) This is getting boring. Maybe I should take on all of you at once. What do you say?
The arena buzzed with tension, the spectators unsure of how to react to the display of dominance before them. Sukojo's laughter echoed through the arena, a chilling reminder of his unrivaled power and ruthlessness.
Sukojo: (mockingly) Or perhaps you should all kneel before me. After all, I am Sukojo, the Devourer of All.
As Sukojo's words echoed through the arena, a hush fell over the crowd. The powerful beings who had been prepared to challenge him hesitated, sensing the immense power radiating from him. The silence was broken by a voice from above.
Voice: Kneel before no one!
A figure descended from the sky, a being of pure energy and light, their form shifting and pulsating with raw power. This was Exor, the Champion of the Celestial Guardians, known for vanquishing threats across countless dimensions.
Exor: I am Exor, and I shall be your opponent.
Sukojo's eyes gleamed with anticipation as Exor landed in the arena, the ground cracking beneath his feet.
Sukojo: (grinning) Finally, someone worth my time.
Exor raised his hand, and a wave of energy surged towards Sukojo. The force of the attack was enough to level mountains, but Sukojo stood firm, his aura absorbing the impact.
Sukojo: (laughing) Is that all you've got?
With a swift motion, Sukojo unleashed a blast of dark energy, colliding with Exor's light. The arena shook violently, the ground splitting open as the two forces clashed. Exor gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his might, but Sukojo's power was overwhelming.
Sukojo: (mockingly) You call yourself a champion? Pathetic.
In a blur of motion, Sukojo closed the distance between them, his fist connecting with Exor's chest. The impact sent Exor flying across the arena, crashing into the stands. The spectators gasped, their confidence in Exor wavering.
Exor struggled to his feet, determination in his eyes. He summoned a massive spear of light, hurling it at Sukojo with deadly precision. Sukojo caught the spear with one hand, his grip crushing the weapon into fragments.
Sukojo: (taunting) You bore me.
With a flick of his wrist, Sukojo sent a wave of dark lines towards Exor, engulfing him completely. Exor screamed in agony as the energy tore through him, his form disintegrating into particles of light.
The spectators watched in stunned silence as the once-mighty Exor was obliterated. Sukojo stood amidst the chaos, his expression one of boredom.
Sukojo: (mockingly) Is there no one here who can challenge me?
A murmur spread through the crowd, fear and awe mingling in their eyes. One by one, the remaining challengers stepped forward, their combined power creating a formidable force. But Sukojo merely smiled, his confidence unshaken.
Sukojo: (smirking) Very well. Come at me, all of you.
The challengers launched their attacks simultaneously, a barrage of elemental fury and raw energy converging on Sukojo. The arena was enveloped in a blinding explosion, the ground quaking under the force of the assault.
As the dust settled, Sukojo emerged unscathed, his aura blazing with dark energy. He moved with lethal grace, cutting through his opponents like a force of nature. Each strike was precise, each attack devastating. Beings who had once been feared across the multiverse fell before him like dominoes.
Sukojo laughed, a sound devoid of mercy as he unleashed his full power. The arena was bathed in blood and destruction, the air thick with the scent of death. None could withstand his onslaught; none could match his strength.
In the midst of the carnage, Sukojo paused, sensing the presence of one last opponent. He turned to see a child, trembling with fear, clutching a simple dagger. Sukojo's smile faded as he approached the child, his claws ready to strike.
Sukojo: (thinking) A child... again.
He raised his hand, prepared to end the child's life, but something stopped him. His sharp fingers and nails hovered near the child's eyes, trembling slightly.
Sukojo: (thinking) What am I doing?
He glanced behind him at the devastation he had caused, memories of past atrocities flashing through his mind. For a brief moment, he hesitated, questioning his actions.
Sukojo: (thinking) Am I really going to kill another child?
The child's eyes were wide with terror, tears streaming down their face. Sukojo's hand shook, the conflict within him evident. But then, his expression hardened. He pushed aside the fleeting thoughts of remorse, his eyes darkening once more.
Sukojo: (thinking) No. I am Sukojo, the Devourer of All. There is no room for weakness.
With a swift, brutal motion, he pierced the child's head, their body going limp instantly. Sukojo pulled his hand back, blood dripping from his claws. He leaned down, biting into the child's head, savoring the taste of their flesh.
As he walked away, the child's head still clutched in his hand, Sukojo ignored the nagging doubt that lingered in the back of his mind. He took another bite, the blood running down his chin. The landscape around him began to shift, warping and bending as if reality itself recoiled from his presence.
The air grew heavy with a palpable tension as Sukojo found himself back at the site of his last battle with Shinryu, The One That Goes Beyond A Cosmic God. The ground was littered with Blood Crystals, pulsating with a faint, eerie glow, casting long, crimson shadows across the desolate expanse. The scent of blood and decay lingered, a testament to the trillions who had perished.
Sukojo: (thinking) The Blood Crystals... remnants of my conquest.
His feet crunched over the crystals as he walked, the sound echoing in the oppressive silence. The sky above was a swirling mass of dark clouds, lightning crackling within, illuminating the battlefield in brief, strobe-like flashes. The ground was scorched and cracked, still bearing the scars of his previous clash with Shinryu.
Sukojo: (thinking) Shinryu, you were nothing but a fleeting challenge. Your end came too swiftly.
He paused, looking around at the ruins of once-great structures, now twisted and broken. As he took another step, the air grew colder, and a faint, haunting melody began to play, carried by an unseen wind.
Sukojo: (thinking) What is this sensation?
The melody grew louder, a symphony of sorrow and rage. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the Blood Crystals began to vibrate, their glow intensifying. Sukojo's eyes narrowed as he sensed a familiar, yet altered presence.
From the depths of the battlefield, a fissure opened, spewing forth a blinding light. The ground split apart, and from the chasm, a figure emerged. Clad in ethereal armor that shimmered with a dark, otherworldly glow, Shinryu rose, his eyes burning with a renewed, terrifying power.
Shinryu: Sukojo... You thought you had seen the last of me. But I have returned, stronger than ever.
Sukojo's smirk faltered for a brief moment, replaced by a look of genuine intrigue.
Sukojo: (thinking) This power... it rivals even Cosmic's weakest vessel.
Shinryu stepped forward, his movements graceful yet filled with an unearthly menace. The ground cracked beneath his feet, the air around him distorting with the sheer force of his presence.
Shinryu: This time, Sukojo, I will not fall so easily. Prepare yourself for the ultimate battle.
The two stood facing each other, the tension between them palpable. Sukojo's grin returned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Sukojo: Very well, Shinryu. Show me what you've got.
With a flick of his wrist, Sukojo unleashed a line of death, a sharp, invisible force that cut through the air towards Shinryu. The line was like a scythe, slicing through everything in its path. Shinryu barely managed to evade, the force of the attack creating a deep gash in the earth behind him.
Shinryu: Impressive. But not enough.
He raised his hand, summoning a torrent of energy that spiraled towards Sukojo. The energy crackled with raw power, bending reality as it surged forward. Sukojo countered with a wave of his own, the two forces colliding in a spectacular explosion that sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
Sukojo: (thinking) He's faster, stronger... This will be interesting.
The camera angle shifted, capturing Sukojo's confident stance, his eyes locked onto Shinryu. The scene cut to a wide shot, showing the vast expanse of the battlefield, the air shimmering with the aftermath of their clash.
Shinryu charged, his form a blur as he closed the distance between them. He swung his blade, a weapon forged from the very essence of stars, aiming for Sukojo's heart. Sukojo deflected the strike with a mere flick of his fingers, the force of the parry creating a shockwave that rippled through the ground.
Sukojo: (mockingly) Is that all you have?
Shinryu's eyes burned with fury as he unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike faster and more precise than the last. Sukojo moved with fluid grace, evading and countering with ease. The ground around them shattered, the air thick with the scent of ozone and blood.
The camera zoomed in on Sukojo's face, capturing the wicked grin that spread across his lips. The scene cut to a slow-motion shot of Shinryu's blade narrowly missing Sukojo's cheek, the sheer force of the attack creating a gust of wind that ruffled his hair.
Shinryu: You underestimate me, Sukojo. That will be your downfall.
With a roar, Shinryu unleashed his full power, the ground beneath them erupting in a maelstrom of energy. Sukojo was thrown back, his body skidding across the scorched earth. He pushed himself to his feet, his eyes blazing with defiance.
Sukojo: (thinking) He's stronger than I anticipated. But I won't be defeated.
Sukojo flicked his hand, and a web of multi-directional lines of death exploded outward, cutting through the air like a net of invisible blades. Shinryu raised his arm to block, but the lines sliced through his defenses, leaving deep gashes across his armor and flesh.
Shinryu: (grimacing) This... is nothing!
Shinryu retaliated with a blast of concentrated energy, the force of which could obliterate entire planets. Sukojo crossed his arms, creating a shield of pure, destructive force. The two energies collided, creating a blinding explosion that engulfed the battlefield.
As the dust settled, both warriors stood amidst the wreckage, their bodies battered but unyielding. The camera panned around them, capturing the devastation, the scorched earth, and the pulsating Blood Crystals that cast an eerie glow over the scene.
Sukojo: (breathing heavily) This is what I've been waiting for, Shinryu. A real challenge.
The ground trembled as they prepared for their next clash, the air thick with anticipation. Sukojo's eyes narrowed, and with a burst of speed, he lunged at Shinryu, his fists crackling with lethal energy.
The camera followed their movements, capturing the rapid exchange of blows, each strike creating shockwaves that rippled through the ground. Sukojo's attacks were precise and deadly, while Shinryu's counterattacks were swift and powerful.
In a blur of motion, Shinryu delivered a powerful kick to Sukojo's chest, sending him flying backwards. Sukojo crashed into a crumbling structure, the impact creating a cloud of dust and debris. He emerged from the wreckage, a fierce grin on his face.
Sukojo: (laughing) Is that all you've got?
Shinryu's eyes narrowed as he summoned a massive sphere of energy, its surface crackling with lightning. He hurled it at Sukojo, the force of the attack shaking the ground. Sukojo raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, he deflected the sphere, sending it crashing into the distance where it exploded in a brilliant display of light.
Sukojo: (thinking) I need to end this quickly. His power is almost equal to mine.
With a burst of speed, Sukojo closed the distance between them, his form a blur as he unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks. Shinryu matched him blow for blow, the ground beneath them cracking and shattering with each impact.
The camera zoomed in on their faces, capturing the intensity and determination in their eyes. Sukojo's grin widened as he felt the thrill of the battle, while Shinryu's expression was one of grim resolve.
Shinryu: (thinking) I must defeat him. For the sake of all those who perished.
With a roar, Shinryu unleashed a powerful blast of energy, sending Sukojo flying backwards. He crashed into the ground, the impact creating a deep crater. Sukojo struggled to his feet, his body battered and bruised.
As the dust settled, both warriors stood amidst the wreckage, their bodies battered but unyielding. The camera panned around them, capturing the devastation—the scorched earth, the shattered remnants of the once-great battlefield. The camera zoomed in on Sukojo, his smile widening, the sinister glee etched deeply into his features.
Sukojo: (his voice dripping with malice) You were strong, Shinryu.
The camera focused on Sukojo as he crouched down, his gaze shifting to the ground. The angle tilted downward, following his movements, capturing every subtle shift in his expression. His eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, his face framed by the shadows cast by the Blood Crystals scattered around them.
Sukojo: (quietly) Ryo Magic...
The world around them slowed, as if time itself feared what was about to unfold. Shinryu's eyes widened, terror flashing across his face as he realized what those words meant. The camera lingered on his expression, every detail of his fear stark and vivid.
Sukojo: (with cold finality) Devious Mode.
As the words left his lips, Sukojo's form began to change. The camera captured the transformation with meticulous detail—the shift in his posture, the subtle but terrifying increase in his presence. His clothes morphed from what Dark had been wearing into a black and white kimono, its edges sharp and clean, exuding an aura of ancient power. A symbol, glowing with an ominous light, appeared on his forehead, and his eyes, once gleaming red, now burned with an even more intense, hellish glow.
The camera pulled back to reveal the full scope of his transformation. Sukojo's power surged, his aura expanding, suffusing the air with a dense, oppressive energy. The ground beneath him cracked under the weight of his presence, and the Blood Crystals nearby vibrated, their light dimming in response to the overwhelming darkness that now radiated from him.
Sukojo: (thinking) This... this is who I truly am.
Sukojo took a step forward, his movements fluid, deliberate. The camera shifted to Shinryu, who was slowly backing away, his earlier confidence shattered. He had realized, too late, what he had awakened—the true Sukojo, the being of pure malevolence, a force that transcended evil itself. The camera zoomed in on Shinryu's face, capturing the growing terror in his eyes, the realization that there was no escape.
Shinryu continued to back away, his feet stumbling over the rough, broken terrain. The camera followed his descent as he tripped over the edge of a cliff, tumbling down, before landing hard on his back. He groaned, struggling to rise, his body trembling with fear.
Sukojo, unperturbed, continued his advance. The camera moved back up to follow Sukojo's steady, relentless approach, capturing the chilling contrast between his composed demeanor and the chaos around him. As he reached the cliff's edge, he didn't pause—his body remained perfectly straight as he stepped off, falling gracefully through the air. The camera captured this descent from below, showing Sukojo landing smoothly, his eyes never leaving Shinryu.
Sukojo: (his voice eerily calm) Shinryu... Oh, Shinryu.
Sukojo's voice cut through the silence, his tone almost conversational, as if they were discussing something trivial. But the underlying menace was unmistakable. He continued walking toward Shinryu, who scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around, searching desperately for an escape.
Sukojo: (with a dark satisfaction) Thanks to you, I've awakened my true form.
The camera shifted to a wide shot, capturing the vastness of the barren landscape, with Sukojo's menacing figure dominating the scene as he advanced on the retreating Shinryu. His aura was now a swirling maelstrom of black and white energy, and the air around him crackled with latent power. The camera zoomed in on Sukojo's face as he spread his arms wide, embracing the power he had long forgotten.
Sukojo: (his voice rising) FOR SO LONG!!! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY!!!
The ground beneath them trembled with the force of his voice, the very air seeming to vibrate with his intensity. The camera moved in closer, capturing the raw emotion in Sukojo's eyes as he continued to advance, his voice growing louder, more fervent.
Sukojo: Do you know how long it took me? To remember myself clearly?
Sukojo's voice dripped with a mix of rage and triumph, his steps becoming more deliberate, more forceful. The camera angle shifted to Shinryu, who was now visibly shaking, his fear palpable. He tried to back away faster, his feet slipping on the uneven ground, his mind reeling with panic.
Sukojo: (with a sudden, explosive fury) DO YOU KNOW?!!?!
Shinryu's back hit the wall of the cliff, trapping him in place. He raised his hands defensively, his voice shaking as he shouted back.
Shinryu: NO, I DON'T, NO!!!
The camera captured the sheer desperation in Shinryu's face, the realization that his end was near. Sukojo, now standing over him, tilted his head slightly, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
Sukojo: (smirking) Of course you don't. You're not me.
The camera pulled back slightly to reveal the entire scene, the overwhelming contrast between the two figures. Sukojo's aura grew darker, denser, the weight of it pressing down on the very earth around them. Then, suddenly, a powerful force erupted from Sukojo, sending Dark's consciousness flying out of his body.
Dark was hurled backward, his form crashing into the ground several meters away. The camera followed his tumbling figure, finally coming to rest as he lay motionless, the breath knocked out of him. When he finally looked up, he saw Sukojo standing tall, free of the restraints of Dark's body—his own form fully restored.
Sukojo: (thinking) I am free again... And now, the world will pay.
As the realization of his freedom settled in, memories flooded back—memories of a time long past, of when Sukojo was a hero, a protector of all that was good. The scene began to blur, the colors fading as a flashback began to take shape.
Flashback: 10,000 Years Ago
The scene was peaceful, serene. Sukojo sat at a dinner table, his wife and daughter by his side. They laughed, the warmth of their love filling the small, cozy home. The camera captured the gentle smile on Sukojo's face as he watched his daughter play with her food, the innocent joy in her eyes a stark contrast to the man he would become.
Sukojo's Wife: (smiling) You've done so much for us, for everyone. The world is finally at peace, thanks to you.
Sukojo reached out, taking his wife's hand in his, his heart swelling with pride and love. The camera lingered on this moment, the simple beauty of a family united.
But the peace was short-lived. The door to their home was suddenly shattered, the sound of splintering wood and crashing debris filling the air. The camera swung around to reveal Cosmic, his presence overwhelming, his eyes filled with an unrelenting fury.
Cosmic: (coldly) Sukojo... You've gone too far.
Sukojo leaped to his feet, his body moving instinctively to protect his family. He stepped forward, his hand outstretched in a futile attempt to stop the inevitable.
Sukojo: (desperately) No! Leave them out of this!
But Cosmic was merciless. With a single, devastating kick, he sent Sukojo crashing through the wall, the camera capturing the brutal force of the impact. Sukojo hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him as he struggled to get up.
Cosmic: (ruthlessly) You were a fool to think you could defy me.
Cosmic advanced on Sukojo's wife, his massive hand closing around her head. The camera zoomed in on Sukojo's horrified expression as he watched, helpless, from the ground. Cosmic's grip tightened, and with a sickening crack, her skull was crushed, blood and brain matter splattering across the room.
Sukojo: (screaming) NOOOO!!!
Tears streamed down Sukojo's face as he reached out toward his wife's lifeless body. But before he could move, Cosmic grabbed his daughter by the neck, lifting her into the air. The camera captured the look of terror in the girl's eyes, her small hands clawing at Cosmic's arm.
Cosmic: (with chilling calmness) You brought this upon them, Sukojo.
Without hesitation, Cosmic took Sukojo's own sword and drove it through his daughter's heart. The camera followed the blade as it pierced her chest, her body convulsing in pain. Sukojo's scream of anguish filled the air as he watched his daughter's life drain away, powerless to stop it.
The flashback began to fade, the colors dimming as the scene dissolved into darkness. The camera returned to the present, focusing on Sukojo as he stood in the aftermath of the memory. He was holding his head, his hands trembling, his face twisted in a mixture of rage and sorrow.
Sukojo: (thinking) Cosmic... You took everything from me...
In that moment, Dark, still lying on the ground, saw everything. The flashback had been more than a memory—it was a shared experience. Dark had witnessed Sukojo's past, felt his pain, his loss. Tears welled up in Dark's eyes as he realized the depth of Sukojo's suffering.
Dark: (whispering) I... I didn't know...
Sukojo, still clutching his head, slowly turned to face Dark. The camera zoomed in on Sukojo's eyes, now filled with a madness that was barely contained by his own will. He saw Dark's tear-streaked face, the raw emotion that mirrored his own from so long ago.
For a moment, there was silence, the two of them locked in a shared understanding, a bond forged in pain and loss. But Sukojo's expression hardened, his resolve steeling as he pushed the memories aside. He could not afford to be weak—not now, not ever.
Sukojo: (coldly) Don't pity me, boy. Pity yourself... for what's about to come.
Sukojo's words were laced with venom, but beneath them, there was something else—a hint of the man he had once been, buried deep beneath the layers of cruelty and hate. Dark could see it, even if only for a fleeting moment.
But that moment passed, and Sukojo turned away, his attention once again focused on Shinryu. The camera followed his movements, capturing the tension in his body, the barely restrained fury that simmered beneath the surface.
Sukojo: (thinking) I will destroy everything... until Cosmic feels the same pain that I have felt.
And with that, Sukojo took a step forward, his resolve unshakable, his intent clear. The world around him trembled, as if in anticipation of the destruction that was about to be unleashed.
End of Arc 2 Chapter 3