After 400 years of endless battles and wars in another dimension, I finally stepped through the portal created by the Outer Gods. Feeling the tug of air against my skin, I returned. The world where I was originally born...yet, upon arriving this wasn''t the home I remembered. Instead, I found myself in a place filled with blood, jagged cliffs and a thick layer of fog which smelled like rotten blood.


    It wasn''t long before a legion of masked figures surrounded me, their armour shining in moonlight. Their gaze were cold as if they weren''t humans. As they focused on me, one of them asked, "Who are you?"


    I didn''t feel the need to answer. My murderous intent was answer enough to them.


    They lunged at me, their weapons gleaming in moonlight. In a blur of movement, a flash of my blade and in minutes, over a hundred bodies laid motionless on the ground. Their strength was laughable but their numbers and their intent to kill hinted something inhumane and someone greater.


    As the last bunch of them fell, a man stepped out from the shadows of altar. His long black hair flowing like shadow down to his neck. Two sharp, curved horns crowned his head and his cold and calculating eyes met mine, stripping all my defenses and instilling fear in me. Draped in a sleek black coat, his presence radiated a chilling authority, commanding both fear and respect.


    "Impressive," he said with a slow clap, his voice dripping with mockery. "To take out my guards so quickly...you must be something special. If you agree to work under me, I''ll turn a blind eye to this mess you''ve created. What do you say? Interested?" his gaze was unwavering as if to tell me, this wasn''t an offer but an order.


    I didn''t lower my blade and asked "Who are you? Where am I?"


    He smirked and answered. "You stand in Valeria, under my domain. I am Vragor Valtazar, ruler of this land and soon much more. And you?" He tilted his head. "You seem different. Not from here, are you?" his eyes looked at me saying ''Don''t try to lie to me''. He already knew who am I.


    <Is this bastard playing with me?> I thought to myself and chose to ignore his question. I narrowed my eyes and asked "Where is my lineage? What happened to my family?"


    At that question, his smirk turned into something sinister. "Ah, the past. Your predecessors were...unworthy. Weak, frail and a bunch of idiots. I ruled on them for last 200 years but their extinction was inevitable, though it''s a shame I couldn''t massacre them myself."


    His words struck like a dagger, but I held my ground. My chest burned with anger, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing my despair. "You know nothing about strength if you think power lies in conquest alone." I jumped at him, enveloping my blade with ''Blue Flame Magic''.


    "Strength?" he chuckled darkly. "Strength without control is nothing but chaos."


    Before I could reach him, another figure emerged- a man clad in dark armour with a presence as imposing as a storm. He dropped to one knee beside Vragor. "Your majesty, allow me to handle this pest." he requested, his voice a deep rumble.


    Vragor nodded, stepping aside. "Do try to keep him alive, Kaldor. I want to see if he is willing to submit to me and become a part of my army."The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I thought you were just a floating armour, until you kneeled and stepped in to fight." I said to Kaldor, mocking him and hoping he falls for my trap. "Am surprised, you can still talk shit in a situation like this. It really looks like you don''t know your place." he answered and it looked like he didn''t fall for my trap.


    Kaldor then wasted no time, charging at me with speed that no one would''ve imagined looking at his massive dark armour. His sword clashed against mine with a force that sent shockwaves cracking down the land we were fighting itself. I barely matched him blow for blow, our battle creating waves of clashing steel and roaring winds.


    Kaldor was relentless, his strikes precise and devastating but I refused to give up. My body slowly adjusting to his speed, honed by centuries of war. ''Black Lightning'' crackled around me as I used my magic. ''Black Lightning magic: Carnival of Lightning''. aiming to overwhelm him. Bolts of lightning danced across the battlefield, carving deep scars in Valeria. Yet, Kaldor stood firm as if nothing happened. His armour absorbing the brunt of the attack and his laughter echoed in the chaos. "Is that all you''ve got, intruder?"


    <Just who are they and what is this being?> I wondered.


    I gritted my teeth, pushing myself harder. This wasn''t just a fight- it was more like a test to my powers. A reminder that I was alive, that I had survived the horrors of another world and I would survive this too.


    All of a sudden, Vragor''s voice cut through the battle. "Enough!"


    In an instant, Kaldor stepped back and Vragor descended from the altar. His presence made the air heavy and I felt a chill crawl up my spine.


    "You intrigue me," he said, his tone but his eye''s calculating. "A returnee...one chosen to fulfill a mission in another dimension and left his home planet for centuries. Tell me, how does it feel to come back only to find everything you fought for and cared for gone?"


    I froze at his words but I wasn''t surprised. I had a hunch, he knew my identity.


    He smirked seeing my uninterested look. "Oh, and that ''Pegasus Beast Will'' of yours- why don''t you use it against me? I can feel its immense energy pulsing within you."


    His provocations stoked the fire within me. Without much thought, I entered my ''Second Phase'' of my Pegasus beast will. My body enveloped in a radiant aura, my strength surged and I jumped towards him and sent a bunch of serialized formed attacks.


    The fight that followed was unlike anything I''d ever faced. Vragor moved with impossible speed, countering every strike with precision. His power was beyond anything, yet I refused to give up that easily.


    Hours passed, our battle carving destruction all over Valeria. Every strike, every spell, every ounce of energy seemed futile and yet, I kept going.


    Vragor raised his 2 fingers and pointed them upwards to the sky, a grin forming on his face. "Let''s see if you can handle this."


    As I looked up and saw a massive meteorite descending from hell itself. It''s fiery glow illuminating the battlefield. "You bastard!" I roared, channeling the last of my strength. Using ''Carnival of Lightning'' on Vragor, I momentarily distracted him, ensuring he wouldn''t interfere. With my sword in hand, I leapt toward the meteorite.


    The impact shook the planet itself as I cut it in half, the sheer force of my strike left me exhausted and bleeding. I landed heavily, barely able to stand.


    Vragor approached, untouched and unimpressed. "Am surprised you''re still standing," he said, his voice laced with mock amusement. "Perhaps you are stronger than I predicted. Sorry, I underestimated you."


    "Are you making fun of me?" I asked, panting heavily.


    "Not at all. This is my first time fighting a returnee so I held back as much possible. But cutting such a big meteorite is not everyone cup of tea." A wicked smile crossed his lips. "This...this is fun. But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end."


    Before I could respond, he raised his hand casting a sealing spell.


    "The heaven and hell grows silent and binds this restless flame. Seal his strength, chain his will, let darkness devour and time stand still."


    As the words echoed across the battlefield, the air around me ignited with an unbearable heat. The ground beneath my feet began to bubble and glow as if consumed by lava. As my body collapsed, I could see the darkness enveloping my body and sealing my powers. And I was sealed in darkness which had no end.


    ''This isn''t over yet, Vragor!" I mumbled and my eyes shut.