Chapter 260: Accepting the heart 2

As Adrian slowly opened his eyes, he found himself enveloped in darkness, the abyss stretching endlessly before him like an infinite black sea.

His own reflection, ghostly pale, stared back at him, the only semblance of light in this shadowy realm.

Within this eerie expanse, ominous structures loomed, and lifeless bodies drifted aimlessly, some bearing faces that stirred faint recognition within Adrian's mind.

The silence was oppressive, the darkness suffocating, and an unsettling sense of dread hung heavy in the air.

Nothing existed here except for the multitude of corpses surrounding him, and even the ocean itself seemed to be consumed by the deepest shades of blackness.

Taking in his surroundings, Adrian realized with a sudden clarity that he had entered the very essence of his soul, its nucleus laid bare before him.

Here, in the depths of his being, he knew he must confront and accept every facet of himself.

"Hmm?"

A noise shattered the silence, drawing Adrian's attention behind him. Turning, he was confronted by a figure cloaked in darkness, devoid of any discernible form. The only features remotely identifiable were its gaping maw, lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth, and the countless, unblinking eyes that fixated upon him.

Though Adrian had never encountered such a being before, a primal recognition stirred within him. He knew, instinctively, who stood before him.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ian," the dark entity spoke, its voice a chilling whisper that echoed through the void. "Are we on the brink of merging into one?"

The question hung in the air, laden with significance. Adrian understood that this monstrous apparition was none other than a manifestation of himself, a reflection of his darkest depths.

After years of evading this inevitable confrontation, Adrian stood at the precipice of embracing the very essence he had long denied.

With determination etched upon his features, he extended his hands towards the amorphous mass of darkness before him.

As his fingers brushed against the murky depths, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him, and a fleeting smile graced his lips as the darkness reciprocated his gesture, enveloping his hand in an eerie handshake.

In that fleeting moment of communion, Adrian understood that upon his return to consciousness, little would remain of the Adrian he once knew.

The amalgamation of his former self and this sinister entity would forge a new identity, one shrouded in darkness and steeped in power.

"Have you already consumed another soul?" the monstrous entity inquired, its tone laced with curiosity. "Impressive. Despite lacking my influence to filter the toxicity of soul consumption, you have managed to devour a soul within the confines of your mortal vessel."

Adrian's response was measured, tinged with a sense of acceptance for the inevitable metamorphosis that awaited him. "His name was Adrian Vulter Tellus, and it is a name that both of us shall bear henceforth."

The entity, however, interjected with a subtle correction, its voice a whisper of warning. "I believe you misunderstand, my counterpart. It is not a shared burden; you are the vessel, and I am but a fragment awaiting integration. I am not a separate entity, merely a dormant aspect of your being. Thus, the name is yours alone to carry."

A hint of amusement danced in the entity's words, a suggestion of the insatiable hunger for power that lay dormant within Adrian's soul.

"They say that with power comes greed. I wonder, once our union is complete, just how voracious you will become, my other self."

"Before our merging is complete, let us indulge in a little test, shall we?" The monster's grin widened, its jagged teeth emitting wisps of dark smoke that twisted and curled around them.

With a swift and unexpected motion, a searing pain erupted within Adrian's chest, causing him to double over in shock and agony. Gasping for breath, he cast a bewildered gaze upon the sinister entity before him.

"We may be ignorant of their true nature, but they will soon become acquainted with ours," Eris declared, her voice resonating with unwavering conviction. "For now, our priority is to secure the interference of that abomination, as long as my children are there to play with him, he won't be able to do much"

Although she herself thought her plans and actions were rather reckless this time she couldn't help it as time was running out and being pushed back to a corner like this she had no choice of what to do it was either take back her realm with a fight or just accept the looming fate of fdeath n the future.

Having confronted the monstrous entities lurking within her realm only once before, Eris knew all too well that their previous encounter had been a mere glimpse of their true power.

Yet, she refused to yield to fear or resignation.

This realm was her domain, her sanctuary, and she would defend it at all costs.

The mortal world beyond its borders was her cherished creation, her sanctuary, and she would not allow any abomination to desecrate its sanctity.

The arrival of the abomination had heralded a cataclysmic shift, shattering the future Eris had meticulously crafted and plunging the world into uncertainty.

But she was not one to cower in the face of adversity. With newfound allies at her side, she stood ready to confront the looming threat head-on.

"Prepare all the gods. War is coming," Eris commanded, her voice resolute with determination.

Though Calissia, her sister and fellow deity, harbored reservations, she understood the gravity of the situation.

A holy war loomed on the horizon, and despite her reluctance, she nodded in acquiescence.

Deep within her heart, however, Calissia wrestled with doubts and apprehensions.

She feared the consequences of their actions, knowing that the laws of causality could easily tip in favor of their enemies.

Even with their newfound allies, she doubted their ability to sway the tide of battle.

If only Eris could experience firsthand the terror of facing the apocalyptic wolf's jaws, perhaps then she would grasp the gravity of their situation.

Her own stubbornness seemed impenetrable, her determination blinding her to the dire warnings echoing around her.

In all honesty Calissia can tell that her sister just wanted revenge but never pointed it out fearing for her life.

If the gates of heaven threatened to swing open,

So will the gates of hell.

Eris remained steadfast in her resolve, unwavering in her belief that their course of action was just.

Despite her sister Calissia's logical reasoning, Eris saw only the necessity of their actions, refusing to entertain the possibility of retreat or compromise.

In her mind, this was not merely a conflict, but a sacred cleansing—a holy war ordained by the divine to purge the world of its sins.

'That child has corrupted too many of my children, the providence I've provided is already broken'

Though Calissia's concerns held merit, Eris viewed them as obstacles to be overcome in pursuit of a higher purpose.