"I suppose I understand that, but you stated yourself it is much deeper than that. Your goal in all of this is just to become stronger, is it not?" Jade probed, seeking clarity amidst the creature's cryptic revelations.
The King, his gaze fixed on her with those blank blue eyes that seemed to reveal nothing yet held centuries of secrets, responded, "In a sense, yes, but I do not seek anything in particular, just survival for everything I own."
"Those with everything will always be weaker than someone with nothing," he added, a statement that seemed to hover between wisdom and a riddle.
Jade, grappling with the complexity of his words, retorted, "I don't think I understand, and without being overly rude, I partly don't care. I just want you to stop trying to kill us humans."
The King's reply was as enigmatic as his stare. "Even if I wanted to, I can't stop those like me seeking to become stronger. But if you are strong enough not to be killed, then there is nothing I or anyone can do to you. And that is what it means to have nothing."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "Those eyes you relied on to kill that monster, as you call it, will cause you to suffer in the future. Those abilities you use to fight in all those unique ways will cost you at some point."
"What happens when it's all turned off again? What happens when the reaper returns and takes your eyes, or worse? It's normal for those not to see past tomorrow, but being the King of nothing, I have nothing but time to prepare for every situation."
"I suppose I understand that, but you stated yourself it is much deeper than that. Your goal in all of this is just to become stronger, is it not?" Jade inquired, trying to grasp the creature's motivations beyond mere survival.
With those parting words, "This is goodbye for now. I hope you prove strong, Lady Jade, and remember what real strength is," he summoned an unseen force that pushed Jade through the portal he had opened, sending her back to her world with a mix of a warning and a challenge. As she was thrust back into her realm, the King was left alone in the room
As the King of Nothing stood alone in the room, a sinister development unfolded. A dark liquid began to seep across the floor, emanating an ominous aura that seemed almost alive. "So you really are being released again?" the King mused aloud, addressing the creeping darkness with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"May I ask what brings you into my domain uneatable?" His tone carried a hint of defiance, marking the distinction between them.
The black liquid, taking on a presence of its own, responded with a voice that seemed to come from the very depths of despair. "I am looking to build my army before my return. Take this short meeting as an opportunity to join me instead of falling into nothing when my return is finished."
"You think that Erebos will finish and be able to bring you back?" The King's skepticism was evident, questioning the reliance on Erebos for such a crucial task.
"He is but one I have enlisted to my aid, but there are a few others should he fall at some point." The liquid's response hinted at a broader conspiracy, a plan that extended far beyond the actions of a single entity.
"I see. I will consider your words and be prepared for the day of your return." The King's acknowledgment of the threat posed by this dark presence underscored the gravity of the situation, a prelude to a conflict that could reshape the very fabric of their realities.
As the conversation concluded, the focus shifted back to Jade, who found herself hurtling through the portal. She emerged abruptly, tumbling from the sky above the construction zone where she had been before her unexpected journey. The return to her world was as disorienting as her departure, leaving her to confront the challenges that awaited her on the ground below.