Triple X System-Chapter 169: Bitter truth

Do you know how many lives has been lost? How many fathers, mothers, relations have been severed!? Why you so called higher beings play gods. Kyle fumed anger written all over his face. He’d heard enough of the light’s nonsense and primordial beings.

Sacrifices must be made for the better of the greater good, I thought you would’ve understood by now. The world is a cruel place where only the strong survives. Nothing good comes for free without a price and that is the bitter truth. The light softly uttered slightly shaking his head.

I know you might think am a monster. hmm, sometimes I think so too. But I must do whatever I must to maintain the balance. Waving his hand, the white space vanished, an undeniable force pulling Kyle’s body down.

I have my eyes on you boy, you have potential. Those were the last words heard before everything completely faded into darkness.

.............

Where am I? A young male abruptly opened his eyes, sitting up straight.

[Kyle, are you alright?] Snow telepathically spoke.

Yeah. I thought we were goners back there. He joked earning a soft giggle from his system. Getting up his eyes scanned the room he was in. having an oddly familiar feeling about this place.

[this is the castle Athos was thrown down to after his battle with the light.] snow clarified his suspicions.

If this is the birthplace of demons then that means- the whole castle shook from an overwhelming force. An object crashing from the ceiling with sheer might, cracking the wooden floors.

Its him. Kyle could see Athos in critical conditions. His body all battered and bloody with a foul stench of blood mixed with Sulphur protruding from him. His once beautiful angelic body ridiculed to nothing more than an abomination.

Zena~ must... save. He muttered in a low tone reaching to grasp nothing but air.

I-I lost everything. All I’ve ever worked for, everything and everyone that mattered.

Balls of tears slipped down his cheek recalling the final events of his battle with the light. It was no doubt he didn’t stand a chance against his creator. But all that didn’t matter now, all hope was lost.

None of this was meant to happen. W-we didn’t commit any crime yet you punished us. Why!? Athos yelled causing the castle to shake once more. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

I thought we were your perfect creation, a perfect replica. How could you be so cruel to take the one thing I loved. Afterall I’ve done for you! He grieved rage clouding his mind.

Created by the light his only aim was to serve him, but now all that had changed. The only aim he sought now was revenge. To avenge Zena and all the other angels that were cast out by the light.

Such pain and rage. I never knew an angel could feel this much hate. Angels were often depicted in stories as divine beings. Not having emotion but sharing guidance and knowledge with some humans. But the killing intent Athos was excluding right now reached far more heights than he could ever attain.

It’s happening, the birth of demon energy. He could feel it clearly a new type of energy far different from celestial energy. Soothing against his skin like clear water, rejuvenating his system

[A fraction of raw demon energy has been absorbed!]

[All skills have been levelled up by 1]

[requirements for evolution have been met.]

[would user like to evolve now?]

[yes, no?]

Staring at the system notifications he was lost for words. Due to his quest failure in defeating troy the system deducted 5 from his level. He didn’t know how that was even possible but he couldn’t change the fact.

But now a screen pops up with the offer of a lifetime to evolve?

This isn’t true right? I mean I can’t absorb demon energy if this is just a recreated scene. He thought as this whole scenario wasn’t making any sense

[it is. I wasn’t certain before but am sure the being in control of this labyrinth is a primordial just like the light. And this dimension is literally a gateway passage to the past, present and future. Just like a time machine, but better.]

I see. So that means everything I saw was real and I travelled to all three states?

[that’s the plausible case. Not entirely everything was real though, some generated. And yes, there were some real encounters of scenes from your three states.

Ok but what do I do about this screen. He’d tried shoving it to the side but it wouldn’t budge. The idea of evolving into something more powerful was tempting, but he wasn’t a fool to evolve here. And he hesitated on tapping no, afraid the screen might vanish forever with the offer.

[as per system laws the host cannot neglect an evolution screen. As it is prioritized over other notifications apart from death. But can decide no, which will automatically set a default date and time for the evolution.]

Heaving a sigh of relief, he was thankful the offer to evolve wouldn’t vanish if he tapped no.

[host has successfully opted out from evolving now.]

[evolution process will begin in approximately 2 days.]

Satisfied his attention was brought back to Athos. Staring at him they had similar goals which resulted in tragic fates.

Come over here, I won’t hurt you. Athos voice was warm, his hand stretched out. Recognizing this part Kyle saw the little girl emerge from the corner.

Strange, I didn’t sense her. It was a mystery how he could sense people auras since this were recreated scenes but for some reason, he couldn’t sense this little child’s aura.

Her face looks familiar. Gazing at the little girl she resembled someone he knew. As even her name, rose, rang a bell in his head.

Wait... w-wasn’t that Lilith’s name? he’d never stopped to consider these factors but now he thought about it the pieces were starting to fit.

According to Lilith’s past she was a common human maltreated by her ex until found and turned into a demon by lucifer himself. At first, he presumed the demon king had been the originator of demons but he wasn’t. instead, Athos, an angel turned demon by grief and rage.

She’s been around since ages so its plausible this might be her. But, why would she lie to me? Being a master of deception, he couldn’t depict his demon wife told the truth. But vowed to ask her himself when deemed right.

Rumble!

The floors rumbled indicating a change in scene yet again. And just like he’d predicted the room did change, remodeling itself into something new.

I don’t remember seeing this place. He thought staring around. He wasn’t sure but he presumed he was now in a catacombs. An old room usually underground housing tomb.

Don’t be sad little one I’m only taking a short nap. A soft smile formed on Athos face. He was laying in an intricate coffin with weird patterns. Coated in red and black with gold line running along it. On the lid were red glowing stones emitting a strange type of energy he’d never felt.

b-but I need you. Tears slid down rose eyes tightly hugging Athos. Gently tapping her back he did something which caught Kyle’s attention. His hand gently brushed her silky long black hair.

There there now... you’ll be fine, I promise. Hesitant she eventually let go, Athos laying in the tomb with the lid sliding shut.

A red ethereal glow enveloping the coffin descending into the dugout tomb with foreign writings Kyle guessed were as ancient as the angel himself. Inscribed into the tombstone where the first great demon king laid.

He’s still alive. Kyle had presumed Athos was dead mainly because of the fatal blow from the light. Not only was it a direct contact with raw divine energy but a lot of it. Depleting him completely of his celestial energy and angelic physique.

Getting up rose wiped her tears proceeding out of the catacombs.

I wonder if? Attempting to touch her his hand simply phased through as she passed him.

Hmm.. am probably overthinking it. Shaking his head, he carefully made his way towards Athos tomb. Unlike the rest his was grander and more ominous at the same time. Boasting of the dominant power boxed in it.

Can you decode what these stones are snow?

[sorry, I have no record of them.] she replied in disappointment.

Its ok. I just thought they might be something like mana stones. Just like mana stones boosted one’s physique and mana pool he anticipated the same for these red stones. Except they boosted demon energy, primarily for demons.

I can’t grab them either. A frown formed on his face seeing his hand phase through the stones on the tombstone. He’d tried taking some to test theories but wasn’t allowed to by the labyrinth.

I thought only vampires hibernated. Immortality was considered common amongst gods and high-powered beings. Some finding it boring and exhausting while others exhilarating. But amongst the mythical creatures he’d read about only vampires chose this strange ritual of torpor.

Though not all vampires, only the ones who chose so. Specifically, the grand dukes and high councils who’ve lived for thousands of years.

I wonder if there’s a vampire god and other mythical gods? The thought plagued at the back of his mind, reminding him of how weak he was.

That’s new, I can’t read this. Unlike previous writings he’d encountered, this was the first he couldn’t understand.

[I have no record of this language in my system so its probably as old as Athos.] snow spoke to which Kyle nodded having the same feeling.

Sighs* too bad, I was hoping on some insight. Walking away he stopped a faint whisper reaching his ears.

Betrode yamin alsaar.

Who’s there? He yelled but received no response the wind softly howling in the distance.

Well, that isn’t creepy. He joked to rid the foggy thoughts.

Betrode yamin alsaar! The voice spoke again this time louder gaining his attention.

Its coming from his tomb. It was no doubt the voice emitted from Athos tomb as even the air had gotten damper. Clenching his fist he approached the tomb, his eyes widened seeing a new writing inscribed on the tombstone.

Through death, there is life. He read out loud, slightly shivering from the drought cold clinging to his skin.