God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

The battle was over far more quickly than he had expected...

The {Shadeworm Emperor} was a powerful beast. Cain didn't even know what kind of monster it was. Despite that, Evangeline has thoroughly crushed it.

Staring at her back, he couldn't help but feel she was even more mysterious than she let on.

He sighed then turned to the other star of the show...

The {Dark Soul} was keenly gouging itself on the many corpses of the {Shadeworm Deviants}. With the {Shadeworm Emperor} dead, the rest had all suddenly collapsed and died, leaving the Dark Diver with so much food to consume.

The darkness continued to swell as it consumed more and more, writhing and pulsating...

As Cain observed it, he suddenly felt the need to recheck its details.

***

{Dark Soul}: Level 172 (Legendary, Tier 1).

Strength: 0.

Agility: 61,000.

Defense: 0.

HP: 0.

MP: 190,000/190,000.

Spirit: 21,500/51,500.

Skills: Dark Spirit Bond, Darkness Elemental, Dark Diving, Spirit State, Dark Avatar Manifestation, Shadow Eater.

{Dark Spirit Bond}(passive): Born from Darkness, this creature thrives within Darkness. Hence, it does not rely on light to perceive the world and can share these traits with its master.

{Darkness Elemental}(passive): A being of darkness does not fear the darkness and possesses near-complete resistance and affinity to it.

{Darkness Diving}(passive): Can travel through darkness unnoticed without being affected by material objects.

{Spirit State}(passive): This creature is a living soul, and as such, can not be harmed through physical means.

{Dark Avatar Manifestation}: This creature can choose to become material at will, shedding its ethereal state. In this state, it can interact with physical material and vice-versa.

{Shadow Eater}: A being of true darkness devours light and shadows. The more shadows the Dark Soul consumes, the more its power grows.

***

'As I suspected...'

The physical changes the {Dark Soul} had undergone were just too significant.

It had acquired two new skills, {Dark Avatar Manifestation} and {Shadow Eater}.

'Seems like the {Dark Avatar Manifestation} allows it to become a physical being and otherwise at will. That is a... terrifying ability.'

Cain shook his head,

'Then, there's {Shadow Eater}.'

This ability confused him.

'A being of True Darkness consumes light and shadows' was a direct statement. However, it wasn't at the same time. If the {Dark Diver} was a being of True darkness, then it would be able to consume light as well. However, it only seemed to have an appetite for shadow creatures so far.

And what was the light being referenced here. Was it actual light, or light attribute creatures like the {Shadeworm Deviants}?

Either way, it was confusing.

Cain sighed.

The {Shadow World} had finally returned back to normal as they could now stand on its ground.

"Is everyone okay?" He called out.

"I'm fine. Just a bit shaken." Susan said as she rose to her feet as well.

Staring at the {Dark Soul} still stuffing mouth with more worm corpses made her shiver with disgust.

Evangeline turned around and sighed as she walked back,

"It's time to leave." She said coldly.

Sensing her spirood, Cain couldn't help but ask,

"What happened?"

"The {Shadow World} suffered too much damage. It's taking all I have to keep it intact." She said softly.

Cain looked around. Sure enough, the world of shadows around him was coming apart at the seams. The shadows became turbulent and volatile, some dropping and oozing from the walls and ceiling like dark sludge. It was clear the place wouldn't last for long.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Susan asked.

Evangeline shook her head,

"It is inevitable. We have to leave here now."

***

Feeling the cool wind hit his skin, Cain realized they had returned back to the world inside the dark tower.

He let out a deep breath and turned to look at Evangeline. Although her face was as cold as ever, he could sense she was not pleased with the situation at all.

Sensing his gaze, she turned her stare at him. Then she raised a brow,

"What are you looking so gloomy for?"

Cain shook his head, "I can't help but feel a bit responsible. I assume it took a long time to build the {Shadow World}"

Evangeline shrugged, "It did. But you don't need to worry. The damage isn't as bad as you think. Thanks to you stopping the {Shadeworm Deviants} from causing further damage, I can still save it."

He hummed, "Is that so...", although he wasn't very convinced.

He decided to make it up.to her when he had the chance.

"For now, we should focus on getting out of here. We are out in the open. It's too dangerous without any form of protection." Evangeline said.

With the {Shadow World} gone, they didn't have anywhere to hide. In the time that they had gone, the crowd of thousands had dispersed all over his bleak, desolate land. There was not a soul in sight.

Cain thought about it for a while then suggested,

"How about we head for those mountains?" He said, pointing at the mountains looming in the distance.

Although he had no idea what they were, it was still better to have a clear destination in mind than to wander around aimlessly.

Susan nodded, "I agree. Although we might meet others who have the same idea."

Cain spoke grimly, "That is unavoidable. If it comes to that, we'll have to fight."

Since the others didn't have a problem with his suggestion, probably because they were thinking of doing the same as well, they took a moment to rest then began the journey towards the distant mountains.

The sand beneath their feet was coarse and made a crunching sound with every step.

Besides that, there were no sounds in this desolate area as everyone kept their thoughts to themselves.

Cain continued to ponder about the things the Arbitrator had said. However, he was forced to stop his thoughts only a moment later.

"Oh no..." Jenny said, her voice laced with dread and bitterness.

Looking up, Cain saw what made them all stop in their tracks.

Up ahead, in a deep depression in the ground that made a pit were bodies.

The dead Bodies of hundreds upon hundreds of creatures of all shapes, colors and sizes.

Each of them had their corpses mangled and destroyed in different ways.

The pit was filled with colorful blood that oozed out of the banks.

Then came a distinct coppery smell. It was absolutely vile...

Cain felt his blood run cold. How could this happen in such a short time? Who had done this and why?

The easiest question to answer was the last one. He knew exactly why it had been done.

"Let's go. We'll circle around this area."
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There was nothing he could do about it. They were already dead. He also couldn't go after their killer, as he very well could be putting his and the lives of the others in danger. He didn't have a bone to pick with the culprit or culprits either, although he did think something like this was rather distasteful.

He grimaced, then turned aand began walking around the pit.

"We have to hurry. If there is a nighttime in this place, things might become even more dangerous."