God of creation system : The apocalypse

Chapter 4 : The Endoryo

XXV's POV

What if you lived in a world run by a dangerous game where only the strong survive and the weak perish?

How far would you be willing to fight for those you love—as family, as friends, as a spouse, and as a human being—in a world devoid of light and hope?

This is Endoryo, a violent world inhabited by various creatures vying for countless victories in the Crimson Game. Their ultimate goal is to be crowned the strongest and to join the ranks of the Demon Lords who claim and rule over the nations and kingdoms across the entire planet.

Killing and sacrificing have become normal in this world for the sake of what matters most to you, and now, I am prepared to do whatever it takes for the one I love.

My feet carried me into a dark, overgrown forest known as the Dark Forest.

This place is special to me, even if it is nothing more than a dense woodland teeming with dangerous monsters.

With every step forward, I am reminded of the past when I was just a weak creature desperately trying to stay alive in this cruel place.

This very location holds the most bitter moments of my life, but it was also in this cursed place that I first met the one I cherish most.

The being who gave me everything I have, and the sole reason I manage to keep breathing in this hellish world.

Yet today, in the very place where it all began, I have decided to end it all and make the ultimate sacrifice for Endoryo.

A few steps deeper into the heart of the forest, the creature I came looking for was waiting.

I felt no fear or hesitation, even knowing that tomorrow's sun might never rise for me.

"Countless lives have been the price of your greed and your selfish desire to win the games."

Though it was night, the bright full moon illuminated the entire forest. Yet, as bright as the moonlight was, it paled in comparison to the suffocating darkness radiating from the woman standing before me.

I couldn't make out her face clearly because she stood with her back to the moonlight, resting her foot atop the head of a giant serpent nearly fifty feet tall.

"You're wrong. Neither I nor the game is to blame for their deaths—their own ignorance and weakness are."

"So stop fighting me, because there is nothing you can do to stop me from claiming this entire world," she told me.

That creature was the new Warlord of Endoryo, who commanded nearly a third of the entire planet thanks to her victories in war.

She was a ruthless entity who wiped out any nation that refused to submit to her rule.

The unmatched power she possessed was the very reason she was consumed by greed and malice.

"It would be better for you to just sit back and wait until I offer you a new world," she said.

I had endured so much for the greater good, and as one of the saviors, it was my responsibility to put an end to all forms of evil—even if it cost me my life.

"Shut up! I will never allow you to succeed." I answered back.

I forced myself to sound brave as I spoke those words to the person the world despised the most—none other than my dearly beloved wife.

That's right. The being who once brought light into my life and gave me the strength to keep going was now plunging millions of lives into darkness and death.

I promised myself I would right all her wrongs and destroy everything she had built in this world.

"I swear, I will take away everything you have until nothing is left of you but me." I declared.

It broke my heart, but this was the only way I could save others—and save my maddened wife.

Her very soul had been shrouded in darkness, and as expected, she showed no reaction to our reunion other than a terrifying smile.

"I pity your efforts, because I will make sure you fail, my dear husband."

Yes, she was Khan Zhui, a Soul Eater feared by many for devouring souls. A lot had changed between us since we first stayed together, but all of that vanished the moment she chose to be consumed by the dark.

I knew at that moment I might not be able to convince her, so I instantly drew my sword and braced myself.

Even though her entire being was cloaked in darkness, her natural beauty hadn't faded, and I knew deep down inside, she still remembered the life we shared.

"Your beauty truly never fades, my love. But I think I need to sever your hands and feet so you can't leave our home anymore."

"Just sit there and wait for my return while I save Endoryo."

She had been a warrior and a notorious executioner long before all this, but what people didn't know was that she was still a shy, affectionate woman who forced herself to act strong, arrogant, and brave just so others would fear her. And I was hoping that part of her was still alive inside.

"I'm glad to hear that from you, but I don't agree with your wishes," she replied.

A sword materialized in her hand, and as she raised it, an overwhelming surge of energy flared up.

Without wasting time, I unleashed a Blade Strike, sending a wave of red flames that slashed through everything in its path.

She casually countered it with a single swing of her sword, releasing a fierce purple flame.

"If you truly want to defeat me, you'll have to be much more desperate," she said, looking down on my abilities.

The area exploded as our attacks collided, generating a thick cloud of smoke that blanketed the surroundings.

I couldn't see a thing through the smoke, but I could vividly feel the malevolent presence lingering in the air.

I had learned to rely on my other senses, so even without sight, I managed to dodge the giant serpent lunging at me.

It burst out of the smoke, trying to swallow me whole. I leaped high into the air to evade the attack, giving me a clearer view of the entire battlefield from above.

I couldn't afford to let my guard down because I was at a disadvantage in this fight, meaning I had to go all out.

While I was still airborne, Zhui suddenly materialized behind me and launched an attack.

Thanks to her intense presence, I sensed her movement just in time to parry her sword strike.

I grabbed her hands to prevent her from using them against me, seizing the opportunity to strike back at close range.

With all my might, I drove my sword straight through her chest, the blade piercing all the way out her back.

At that exact moment, she froze slightly and dropped her sword.

I had actually managed to stab Zhui. Yes, with my own hands, I was striking down the wife I had sworn to protect for the rest of my life.

Yet, despite everything, I thought my action would affect her. But amidst the silence, a smile slowly spread across her face.

The terrifying, wicked grin that showcased her sheer malice returned.

"This feels amazing."

"Is this how you show your undying love?" she whispered.

I was stunned, but before I could react, she grabbed my arms with both hands to keep me from pulling the sword out of her body.

She radiated a terrifying, hair-raising pressure—a stark display of her overwhelming strength.

I couldn't break free from her iron grip, and as we both plummeted from the air, a dark shape emerged behind her.

It was the giant serpent from the ground, lunging up to swallow both Zhui and me whole.

I could clearly see it rushing toward us from behind Zhui, and I knew I was in grave danger if it ate us. Yet, I lacked the strength to force my wife to let go of my arms.

Right then, Zhui leaned in and whispered with a smile.

"If you let yourself be eaten by me right here, all my problems with Eskapa will be over."

"The alliance's morale will plummet, and there will be no obstacles left to stop my victory."

Too many of our comrades had already fallen. Because of Zhui's immense power fueled by consuming living beings, even the leaders of Eskapa—the faction I served—were powerless against her.

Our group wouldn't last much longer, and the allied nations would completely fracture the moment the defenders of Eskapa, including myself, were gone.

This was the end of the line for us. Yet, somewhere inside, I refused to lose hope. I was the only one who could stop my wife, and I knew it was my responsibility as her husband.

"Then do it," I challenged bravely.

In terms of raw power and energy, I had never stood a chance against her. But the fact that she could never bring herself to truly kill me in our past clashes proved that she still remembered our promises.

I kept hoping that the wife I knew would return—the shy, affectionate woman who once dreamed of a hero saving her and whisking her away to a peaceful life.

"If I eat you right here and now, you'll be mine for eternity, and we will never be separated again," she whispered.

She cupped my cheeks, gently pulling our faces close together as she uttered those final words.

"Forever by my side, my love."

Her lips brushed against mine—a kiss filled with profound sorrow, love, and longing.

Even without words, that kiss conveyed how deeply she yearned for us to be together again.

A wave of pity washed over me. Despite the truth that I loved her, I had to turn my sword against her—not just for the remaining creatures of Endoryo, but for both of us.

Amidst her terrifying, wicked aura of supreme power, I looked into her sorrowful eyes, which were now spilling tears.

Through her warm lips, I felt the genuine love she still held for me. Without a single word spoken, I knew her heart hadn't truly changed.

Beneath her terrifying image as a Warlord, she was still my shy, sweet wife searching for a hero to save her.

I felt entirely helpless, and exhaustion weighed heavily on me after this endless war.

Part of me wanted to just surrender, but doing so would mean failing the millions of living beings in Endoryo.

Most of all, it would mean failing my wife's dream of finding a savior.

I gently cradled her cheek and closed my eyes as hundreds of memories flashed through my mind.

Happy, sad, and precious moments of the life we built together.

A moment later, the giant serpent completely swallowed us both as we crashed down to the earth.

All I ever wanted was a peaceful world with the one I loved, but because of the Crimson Game, she had to embrace evil to secure that dream for the both of us.

Because of my weakness and shortcomings, she bore the burden that I should have carried for her. Why did God deal us such a cruel destiny?

I never wanted this fate.

Why were we even born into this world?

I don't understand.

The world was never fair to the two of us.

Why do we have to hurt each other while desperately longing for each other's love?

Is there any meaning to our fight if victory demands the death of one of us?

[ END OF XXV's POV ]