1371: Eternal Night

Eternal Night

Hao Xuan glanced into the domain the Dark Stalker was so afraid of. It was a world frozen in ice as far as the eye could see. There were no living beings of any kind but the weather seemed to be quite pleasant apart from the frigid cold. 0

This was without question the most normal-looking domain he had come across which, in turn, made it stand out that much more.

Hao Xuan extended a hand but before it could enter the domain the Dark Stalker interrupted him.

"Do not! Do you truly wish for us both to die?!"

Hao Xuan let out a deep breath and turned around to give him one last chance to make his case.

[Why not?]

"Because it was a trap to begin with," the teenager animatedly explained, "It was not a coincidence that you met me first. That little critter knew I would follow behind you and then she could lead you here under the guise of protecting the rules. It was all a part of her plan, look!" he pointed at the symbols etched above the doorframe.

"The path could have ended up anywhere else but here you are...standing in front of HER master's domain!"

[I knew she was up to something] Hao Xuan replied calmly, [It was quite obvious from my point of view but I had no choice but to go along with it, just like I don't have much of a choice now]

The Stalker thought he would have pulled Hao Xuan in by that revelation but he was flabbergasted to find out he already knew. And that he still went along with it to boot.

"You knew? How? Why didn't you say anything?"

[She was being a little too helpful. It was obvious she either wanted something from me or wanted to distract me from something else but that doesn't matter anymore. I didn't have a choice then just as I do not have one now]

"Yes you do! You only have to get away from that place and I will leave you alone, simple as that!"

Hao Xuan chuckled, [If only that was true. But you only suggest that because I am standing here. I have no way of knowing if you are even capable of keeping your word so how can I believe you? And if you wanted to come for me again I would have no way of stopping you and...that is not a chance I am willing to take]

[I must admit, it is quite a simple plan but one that will work regardless. She forced my hand] Hao Xuan sighed and moved one step closer, just a stone's throw away from entering the door now.

"NOO!"

The tendrils of black energy hiding behind the Dark Stalker's back shot out at an unprecedented speed but they were frozen solid before even coming close to Hao Xuan.

"AaRRggHHhh!"

His voice rose and fell with pangs of discomfort while his figure twisted into a dark blob. It still kept the very rough shape of a humanoid figure but there was only a turbulent void inside.

Two glowing white orbs appeared where its head should have been and a slit opened up right below them. A modulated voice that sounded more like a machine's came from it.

"Don't go in...it will not be good for anyone!"

[What choice do I have? Risk a most certain death out here or try my luck in there? At least the Witch needs me alive]

"If you go in...it will be the end of...everything..." he said looking above the doorframe.

Hao Xuan followed his line of sight and tried to make sense of the symbols there. It was difficult because of its simplicity but soon the two symbols came together to make a single word, [Night?]

He quickly peered into the domain to make sure and as expected, it was bright and sunny inside. So he looked back at the Stalker in a state of confusion, [It's name is night?]

The dark blob moved its 'head' up and down with some effort, "The Nine were born...at the beginning. They are the ugly truths of...our reality...and its destruction if you let them. None of them can leave this place..."

[Not even your master?]

"Not even him!" he urged, "If they escape...if they are able to find...an appropriate vessel, then it will be the end! That crazy...wench, do not fall for her tricks!"

Hao Xuan's eyes glistened with a strange light, [What are their names? If you answer me honestly I will do as you say]

"My master is... madness. Her master...is the night...the Eternal Night!"

Hao Xuan's mind exploded with old memories when those words were mentioned.

[The Eternal Night...I have heard of the 'Mother of Death'. So this...is her domain?]

The Dark Stalker could tell that his explanation had the opposite effect and the mortal was instead seduced by the power of the entity that lay within the domain.

He could not risk him getting inside so he made the ultimate sacrifice.

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