Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 264, Section 21: Devouring Darkness - If the Starry Sea Were Without Light

The conflict between the six Forces means that Force Walkers who walk different paths always have external assistance when they fight. Battles involving Force morality are often brutal and intense, just like the chaotic battle between the Giant of Light and C'Thun just now, where the Holy Light helped. The confrontation between the two Forces has disturbed the peace of the entire Silithus desert.

However, not all companions on the path of the Force are necessarily loving and affectionate; there are also struggles among them.

Doctrines, ideologies, factions, and even personal grudges can lead practitioners of the same Force to the brink of a desperate battle. In such situations, the Force is indistinguishable and naturally cannot generate opposing forces.

Especially within the two primal force systems of life and void, which have a ruthless tradition of "survival of the fittest," this "internal struggle" has even evolved into a complete set of rules.

The Old Gods of Azeroth knew when they descended upon the world that only one of them would enjoy the glory of devouring it.

This means that even without the intervention of an external force like the Titans, once the Void has been corrupted to a certain extent, a life-or-death war will break out among the four Old Gods. They will devour each other, leaving only the strongest one to complete the final glorious corruption. In fact, the reason that the four Old Gods were able to survive is because they joined forces to devour their fifth brethren when they fell into the world.

Since the ancient times when the Black Empire was established, C'Thun has been preparing for this moment.

It would not give up its ambition to devour the world, nor would it allow its vicious and cunning brothers to enjoy such glory. But it never expected that all the preparations it had made for the decisive battle would not be used for cannibalism, but instead be used in a battle against an "alien".

During the one-minute burst of holy light, after the giant of light brutally tore through his dark armor with his swordsmanship, the Thousand-Eyed Demon knew that this little brat was no monster whose combat power could be measured by his life rank.

Even though he had risked everything, enduring the most brutal Holy Light attack by doubling his efforts, exhausting all the Holy Power stored in the madman before him, and forcing him to completely sever his connection with the Holy Light, C'Thun still did not let his guard down.

Especially when Diakum entered Voidform wielding Twilight's Hammer, C'Thun realized that this guy "came prepared."

Diakum's mastery of the Void Path was insufficient for him to devour C'Thun's power during the Lightless Ritual, but the Twilight Hammer in his hand possessed the ability of "homogeneous devouring"!

This means that once the Thousand-Eyed Demon becomes too weak, the ambitious Void Hammer can turn itself into "food".

Therefore, when Diakum tore open the void rift and summoned the Faceless Ones and K'sil to rush into C'Thun's pool of black blood, the Thousand-Eyed Demon in its second form, shrouded in cold entropy energy and resembling a void evil, immediately launched a powerful bombardment.

The giant claw tentacles, enveloped in dim starlight, roared down, annihilating several void rifts torn open by Diakum in a sweeping motion. Then, with the descent of the second tentacle, it smashed the faceless barbarian soldiers who pounced to bite into a bloody pulp.

The Kershir warlocks fired Twilight Arrows from afar, but the power of the lower-level void was so weak that it couldn't even penetrate the entropy shield of an Old God or reach its body. On a battlefield of this level, the power of these lower-level summons was far too meager.

They don't even qualify to be cannon fodder.

As the third giant claw tentacle gathered entropy energy that vibrated and roared, and slammed down on Diakum, who was constantly throwing out corrupted decrees to disintegrate C'Thun's flesh, the Dark Archon swung his hand and threw Kazzak's Soul Staff.

Like a javelin, a sharp object shot out amidst the shadows, piercing the giant claw tentacles with a soft thud, causing black blood to splatter. However, Diakum himself dodged the crushing blow as he vanished into nothingness.

"Aww! Let's face the doomsday overlord!"

The remnant spirit of Kazzak within the Soul Staff had previously received a promise from Diakum, and it unleashed all the power it had "devoured" during its time fighting the Vigilant, manifesting itself as a semi-solidified spirit.

The remnant of the great demon leaped out and swung its claws into C'Thun's entropy-powered giant claws, spewing black blood and scorching spirit fire to burn the abominable tentacles.

It barely qualifies as a lord-level summon, not so much that it could be instantly killed by C'Thun, and it even has some attack power that forces C'Thun to spit out a giant claw tentacle to deal with it, but such interference is not enough to give Diakum a significant advantage.

After a battle, C'Thun also figured out the Dark Archon's true nature.

Ha, although he claims to walk among the light and shadow, it is clear that the blessing Diakum received in the void is not as good as the favor he received in the Holy Light. This Dark Archon's void form is very intimidating and has decent destructive power, but it is no match for a conceptual being like the Old God.

Your heart is about to explode!

The Thousand-Eyed Demon conjured an illusion of death, reflecting it in Diakum's eyes, attempting to ignite his defeatist fear.

But when the mind is calloused, fear is useless!

The Watcher remained unmoved, flashing over in a shadow, raising the Twilight Hammer, and smashing it down on the handle of C'Thun's tentacle. The moment they made contact, the head of the Twilight Hammer shattered with a crack, the fragments of metal being incinerated by the shadow the instant they flew away.

It looks like a "gear drop".

However, this "armor burst" also means that Twilight Hammer's "homogeneous devouring" has been fully activated!
If it fails to devour C'Thun, this powerful Void Relic forged in Draenor, it will perish along with the esteemed Dark Archon, turning into dust in the shadows of history.

The ravenous creature was as insane as its master at this moment. Faced with an enemy it could not possibly defeat, it chose a desperate gamble of "mortgaging the future" to increase the chances of victory for the noble Dark Ruler.

This means that when Diakum embarked on the final trial of the Path of Light and Shadow, in addition to Ashbringer, Twilight's Hammer also offered him its last bit of power.

The two weapons have different paths, but the same loyalty.

"what!"

C'Thun let out a low, dark roar, its tentacles, struck by the shattering Twilight's Hammer, appearing as if infected with "withering disease."

The flesh and blood that were infused with the void quickly withered, their power was dissipating, breaking apart, and even going out of control. Only a small portion was "devoured" by the greedy and insane God Hammer, while the rest were handed over to Diakum.

Those scattered "dark stars" were absorbed by the Dark Ruler, gathering into the most sinister mental spikes, which transformed into halberds that pierced the ancient god's abyss-like, majestic, and corrupt mind, successfully leaving an unhealable scar of fear within it.

But before the Dark Ruler could be satisfied with this brilliant strike, a giant, serpentine-like shadowy tentacle tore through the pool of black blood and roared out.

The spikes at its tip burst outwards, causing the enormous, brownish-yellow eyeball to float in front of Diakum. The instant their eyes met, a burst of spiritual energy that seemed to tear apart heaven and earth erupted, fixing him in place.

The surrounding dark entropy energy was continuously drawn and gathered, causing ominous purple light spots to appear on the cracks in the tentacle's keratin, like bursting blood vessels emitting purple light, or like a "void electromagnetic cannon" that was charging up.

"I've seen your vulnerability. This is the end!"

Amidst the Thousand-Eyed Demon's wail, which sounded like a "final blow," Twilight Eye Beams shot out, striking the Dark Archon's body and shattering the Dark Dispersion he had unleashed.

Like a shooting star enveloped in black smoke, it roared and crashed into the shattered temple pillars, breaking the pillars that the Titans had used to bind the ancient gods and revealing the empty conduits within. Titan energy, which should have flowed with the power of order, was now completely empty.

The collapsing rubble buried Diakum, but it only injured him and was not enough to kill him.

Void form is immune to most physical damage. That Twilight Eye Beam was indeed powerful, but it mostly affected Diakum's mind, like a lock that pinned his mental limits to a precarious position.

In Dark Archon form, the mind is Diakum's spellcasting resource.

The Thousand-Eyed Demon keenly perceived Diakum's weakness and adopted the most appropriate countermeasure.

If Dick continues to fight at this high intensity, once his mental strength collapses, he will immediately enter a state of "madness beyond repair" and undergo a void transformation.

C'Thun didn't even need to kill this troublesome and desperate insect with his own hands.
It only needs to stall for time to witness the birth of an incomparably powerful Void Beast before its eyes, and by offering it as a sacrifice to the Sea of ​​No Light, it will surely receive the highest praise from the Void Lords.

Haha, I thought it was going to be a hostile visitor, but it turned out to be a "self-service delivery".

You need help.

A weak, ethereal voice echoed as Diakum clutched his chest and rose. Argus whispered:
"Let me help you."

"You can no longer withstand the same intense fighting as last time."

Dick wiped the black blood from the corner of his mouth. Looking at the Shadow Entropy Energy in his hand, which was already transforming into "Twilight," he said in a hoarse voice:

"There is a process to going mad. The closer I get to complete madness, the stronger my destructive power will be! I can crush it."

"But what's the cost?"

Argus rebuked:

"I am merely a node of the Star Soul's will, and even if I am shattered, I can be rebuilt from other clans! But if you kill this Old God at the cost of 'madness,' the Draenei clan will forever lose their Watcher."

I will also lose a good child forever.
Just as Nelly, Velen, and Hatton could not stand by and watch you selflessly burn yourselves for them, so too, as your Lord, I cannot stand by and watch my best child embrace depravity for the sake of a hopeless demon like myself.

Diakum, protection is mutual!
When you protect me, I will protect you too.

You were always the one burning for me.

Now, let your distant hometown burn brightly for you too!

I will leave behind my last shred of will, so that I may see my sister Azeroth and be healed.

Now, lift your head and punish this dark fool in front of you severely!

Tell it who you are.

"boom"

The self-igniting Argus star soul, like a lit spark, instantly pushed Diakum's power in Dark Archon form to the point of "complete combustion".

The dark entropy energy that lingered in this lightless land converged around him, forming a storm of dim light, like a "dark" version of a sanctified seraph. This caused the deep void entropy energy to sculpt wings of fluttering dark light feathers beyond the dark archon's black veil. This scene astonished not only C'Thun, but even the remnant spirit of Kazzak, who was being relentlessly hammered by giant claw tentacles, stared wide-eyed.

The doomsday overlord laughed maniacally, grabbing the giant claw tentacles that were tearing at it. Just before its final "Burning Explosion" was unleashed, it roared:

"This is the real you! Hahaha, this is the one who truly defeated Sargeras! Ah, Vigilant, I, the loser, pledge my allegiance to you!"

"boom"

The terrifying roar, accompanied by the disintegration of the giant claw tentacles, caused the entire Shadowlands to tremble once more.

The intense pain made C'Thun's flesh and blood body tremble, but it was not because of the pain that its 999 eyes were fixed on the insect that was re-floating under the flapping of the dark wings.

It stared in disbelief at the points of light that adorned his body.

It knows what it is; it has been dealing with this thing for countless years.

"You possess the power of another Star Soul!"

The Thousand-Eyed Demon roared:
"You are the messenger of another Star Soul! Ah, I understand now, why you are so determined to duel me, even at the cost of everything you have."

I understand!
You are carrying not only the ridiculous path of light and shadow and your own morality, but also the last way out of another world, the last glimmer of hope!

I'm going to extinguish you!

It raised its remaining giant claws and tentacles, and amidst the abyssal malice emanating from its nine hundred and ninety-nine eyeballs, C'Thun screamed:

"I will devour the Star Soul within you! I will become the first legend in the Sea of ​​Darkness to devour two Star Souls!"

The giant claw tentacles, permeated with entropy energy, pounded down like heavy hammers, engulfing the entire Titan temple in a frenzied and devastating attack. Several more tendrils circled the floating structure, constantly firing Twilight Eye Beams, not only because Diakum, enhanced by the Star Soul, was extremely dangerous, but also because C'Thun's ambitions had been fully unleashed.

It changed its mind.

It no longer intends to offer the doomed Diakum to the Sea of ​​No Light.

It wants to taste the soul of that guy that has been imbued with star soul, in order to achieve the feat of devouring two star souls.

Argus had not yet chosen which Force to use; He was in His purest Star Soul state, meaning His power could adapt to almost all Forces perfectly. At this moment, as the power of the Star Soul burned, Diakum's emotions were boiling, partly because his mental energy was constantly going crazy, and his madness was rapidly escalating.

Another part was due to rising anger.

He could clearly feel that his spirit was on the verge of collapse, and even the world in his eyes was entering a strange "spiritual vision". However, he became more determined because of his hometown's sacrifice for him. Like an iron tower that stood firm in the storm, he remained unmoved no matter how the black tide came.

Entropy energy is rapidly absorbed; constant dodging and shifting are all for accumulating power for this moment.

Diakum abandoned Shadowflame, the Corruption Law, and the Curse of Flesh. He was going to unleash his most powerful attack as the Dark Archon on C'Thun in the way he was most comfortable with.

That is.
"Twilight that severs all things! Unleash it!!!"

Amidst the deep, corrupt roar of Shathral, ​​and the mournful cry of Twilight's Hammer bearing immense energy, the self-immolation of the Star Soul granted Diakum its most powerful strike, which finally erupted in the darkness. Sensing the danger, C'Thun retracted all its giant claws and tentacles, encircling and blocking in front of it.

Its strongest dark armor had already been torn apart by the giants of light, and its current corrupted form doesn't have such strong defenses.

Streams of dim starlight converged to form a hexagonal entropy energy shield, layer upon layer reinforcing the body of the ancient god. At Diakum's feet, a dark shadow became increasingly clear amidst the black blood.

The nearly solidified "Twilight" transformed into a magnificent luster that once shrouded the territory of the Dark Empire. Like a pale blade tearing through the shadows, it absorbed all the light in an instant, tearing apart everything in its path. Entropy shields and giant claw tentacles were all as fragile as paper, crumbling at the slightest touch.

The Twilight Cannon, imbued with the power of the world, swept across the land, leaving only the devastation of the corrupted blood and bones.

Even though the ancient gods were prepared, this blow still caused them immense pain.

Amidst the low, echoing whispers, as the Twilight Cannon dissipated, a gaping wound was ripped open in C'Thun's flesh and blood, revealing a shocking sight: at least a third of his body had been "evaporated."

Even though the ancient gods were beings of the void and theoretically did not have the concept of "death," they were still severely weakened by this attack.

But it knows.

It wins!
All the eyes on that mangled body locked onto Diakum at that moment. The instant his power dissipated, an ominous dark maw surged out from the black blood, howling as it tore apart the space around Diakum and swallowed him completely into C'Thun's "dimensional stomach".

Ah, the scorching Dark Archon and the scorching Star Soul energy within him, awaiting only the digestion of my supreme gastric juices, and all my current wounds will be healed in the process of Fallen Ascension.

It is an ancient god!

It was the most elite flesh and blood ruler of this group of stars, and a mere fatal wound was all it took.

"I have won the Ritual of Light! The battle is over! I, C'Thun the Thousand-Eyed Demon, have won!"

The roar of C'Thun echoed through the empty, dark lands.

But unexpectedly, neither the witnesses of the Sea of ​​No Light nor the Void Lords who were observing this scene stepped forward to declare C'Thun's victory. On the contrary, strange whispers echoed within the shadow barrier.

"It's coming! It's coming! My favorite scene is about to happen!"

"Ha, transform into a mindless beast, devour everything in your way, and consume the weak and cowards!"

"Isn't this the reason I came here to watch this boring battle? Hurry up! I want to see 'unstoppable' rivers of blood flowing again!!!"

C'Thun was even momentarily bewildered.

It didn't understand why the Void Lords were so happy, or what that "unstoppable force" was.
"Win? No, no, no, your greed has dragged you into a dead end, pathetic fellow."

The mocking whispers of Shadow Word echoed around C'Thun's shattered body, its voice chilling as it spoke:

"Hopefully, after your obituary in the Sea of ​​No Light is published, it will teach other fools not to eat dangerous and poisonous things indiscriminately in the future. Hmm, looking at your trembling flesh, you should be feeling the pain in your stomach, right?"
It's okay, this is normal.

You will be completely devoured from the inside, leaving only a pathetic, dark skin!

You lost, C'Thun!
The Sea of ​​No Light is disappointed in you, but it doesn't matter. It was all part of the plan anyway: to exchange an incompetent ancient god for a 'devourer of all realms' with boundless potential. No matter how you look at it...
We've all made a fortune.

------

"Don't!"

Within C'Thun's stomach, capable of melting anything, as Diakum prepared to unleash the once-every-thirty-day "Ancient Madness" eruption, the weakened Argus Proto-Soul, reduced to a mere echo, urged:

"This is their conspiracy! They calculated that you would have to use this move to win, but it means that in your madness you must 'devour' an Old God. You cannot resist that life-corruption, Diakum."

You will be forced into depravity!

“I know! Before stepping into this place, I simulated countless battles. This is not the only way to win! If I were only looking for a quick victory, I would have taken out the Eye of Sargeras when I entered this place, my Lord.”

I have other ways to win.

But this is not just a matter of victory or defeat; it is also a choice about the path one should take.

How can one embrace darkness without entering it? And how can one ignite light without embracing darkness?

The guard, whose eyes were bloodshot and red, laughed.

A split second before activating Ancient Frenzy, his armor, already corroded by C'Thun's stomach acid, retrieved the gift from His Majesty Khala from the Augure Chest.

"They were right, but so was I!"
I temper myself in the light, and I draw wisdom from the shadows. I am not as fervent as I once was. My cooled mind has learned to plan carefully before acting, and I am not lacking in the awareness to survive even in the face of death!

Wish me luck, my Lord, my homeland.

Behold this burning of a noble vow.

I have entered the darkness to feast, just so I can be full and ready to return home!

He looked at the three Crowns of Light floating in his hand, held them in his palm and chose to absorb them. Then, the madness from ancient times was activated, like a hungry dark beast smelling the aroma of food.

He opened his blood-red mouth, determined to feast.

All that's left is momentum! No! Unstoppable!
(End of this chapter)