500th Time Reborn, A World Only Known By Women: The Karma System

Chapter 647 The Eldritch's Game

"I see..." I nodded, understanding her sorrow, her rage. However, as painful as it was, I couldn't let her remember her tragic past cloud her better judgment.

"So help me, and with me as your host, you will be free to incite the chaos you desire. But remember our pact. My world will be off-limits. You can wreak havoc, but not at the cost of my people's lives."

"So you say, Godling." Akasha's galaxies swirled with dark colors, a mix of amusement and derision. "Very well. I accept your terms. You will be my puppet, and I, your puppeteer."

"No, Akasha, you're mistaken. We are partners. We merely guide each other. If you ever overstep, I will fight back. Don't underestimate me," I said, matching her dangerous gaze with my own resolute stare.

There was a brief silence, and then the corners of her galactic form twisted upwards, creating a strange semblance of a smile. "I look forward to our dance, Galio."

A swirl of cosmic energy rippled between us, forming a volatile vortex that resonated with our escalating anticipation. The energy crackled and sparked, signifying the binding contract that would tether our powers together.

"I, Galio of Divine Plane, grant you, Akasha, a part of my life and freedom, with the obligation of our Pact, in return for your full cooperation and respect towards the terms of our agreement." My voice echoed with a resolute defiance, weaving the words into an ancient rite, a binding vow that transcended dimensions.

"And I, Akasha, the Universal Abyss, accept this pact, with my essence intertwined with yours, Galio of Divine Plane. We are now one, in purpose and path, tied by the agreement we made," Akasha uttered, her voice filling the cosmos, reverberating with the promising energy of a held oath.

Bright, wild energy surged in a wave as a divine pact – more potent than any sworn promise or binding contract – was solidified. The celestial spectacle pulsed around us, a dance of refracted stardust and cosmic radiation marking our pact.

As the aftermath of the energy surge settled, the glint in Akasha's nebulous form shifted, appeased yet anticipatory. I felt a rush of power coursing through me, growing from a small ember to a roaring inferno, a surge of incomprehensible might. At that moment, I understood the frightening grandeur of the entity I had formed a pact with.

And just as abruptly, I was yanked back into reality. Xieus was waiting, apprehensive and hopeful. But my attention was drawn to Kadeon, sprawled on his back, thoroughly crushed yet smiling at me.

"So, you are the child that my Pupil has chosen?" Kadeon's form asked as it easily stood up with my force still pressing down on him. "I am the Eldritch, as Truth has told you. I am sure that he has also told you that we are not destined to fight here, yes?"

"Yes, he did," I said, my gaze unwavering from Kadeon. His eyes gleamed with malevolence and amusement – a dangerous cocktail. "But that changes nothing about how I feel towards you. You're a virus I pledged to purge."

Kadeon's laughter resonated through the expanse, as though mocking my determination. "You, purge me? You are but a child, an insolent pup playing in a world much larger than you can comprehend."

I exhaled, bracing myself for what was coming next. I could feel the shift in energy, the atmosphere thick with imminent violence. As I raised my hand, manipulating my reality, I heard Xieus take a sharp breath. I was not just battling Kadeon here; the future of my world depended on my success.

"Well, this vassal has left me in a position of disadvantage, so I will retreat for now, but I will leave you with a parting gift," the Eldritch said and then pointed at Leo's unconscious form. "That one is your brother? Or do you consider him as much?" He asked, and I tried to move, but I was frozen in place. "Ah, all the answer that I need. I do love to throw things into chaos, and it would be good for you to get a slight understanding of what you are dealing with."

I watched helplessly as a thin red line stretched from Kadeon's fingertip. The moment that it touched Leo, his body spasmed and started to change. His form distorted, twisting and morphing into a shadowy figure. I could hear his screams, the pain reverberating with every agonizing transformation. Despite my divine strength and abilities, my struggle against Eldritch's power proved futile.

Observed in silent horror as Leo's body grew and mutated, elongated limbs sprouting from him and his skin metamorphosing into a darkened, scaled hide. His jaws opened wide, releasing a deafening roar of torment that echoed through the otherwise silent nothingness, shaking me to my core.

"Let him go!" I growled, my voice anguished. But it was futile, my power still held inside the binding chains of Eldritch's power.

Kadeon, the embodiment of Eldritch here, only cracked a wicked grin, his eyes gleaming with malicious joy. "Still think all of this is a game, Godling?" he sneered, his gaze observing Leo's monstrous transformation with perverse satisfaction. "This is just the beginning! Your friends, your world, your beloved Xieus… Everything is collateral in this grand design!"

As Leo's transformation ceased, all noise abated too. Now stood before us a monstrous figure, a nightmare born out of Leo's tortured form.

I found my voice. "This won't go unpunished, Eldritch."

I should have known that something like this would happen. I had let the Eldritch here in trade for Xieus's life, but I would not give up Leo's. No matter what I would free him. He had gone through enough.

"Maybe," he shrugged, his indifferent gaze tormenting me. "But remember, until you stand with me on the battlefield, your loved ones are my pawns. Just as you swayed my plans today, so I will toy with yours."

With that, Kadeon vanished, leaving me behind with the monstrous form of Leo and a terrified Xieus. The battle may have been delayed, but the war was only just beginning.