Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 408: Nocthar Mort of Death

He really ought to have foreseen this turn of events. As soon as he entered that eerie realm where death spread like common weeds, the overpowering aroma of divinity—something he'd grown accustomed to—had turned nauseatingly thick.

Yet, that wasn't the sole issue.

Numerous bodies lay scattered—bodies belonging to goblins, hobgoblins, trolls, and even elves along with a few dragonkin.

Despite their diverse origins, every single one shared a key feature: skin as black as night. At first, this detail might appear minor, but in truth, it carried immense significance.

Kaden recalled his initial venture beyond the stronghold. That occasion when he ventured solo into a dungeon and faced off against monsters with black skin.

The very same dungeon where he had discovered...

"...Nocthar." Kaden uttered the name with clear revulsion, his crimson gaze sharpening in a mix of icy resolve and faint unease.

"The one and only." Nocthar replied.

"Is this your doing?" Kaden inquired, scanning the blood-red void encircling him—his left eye still trickling blood—before fixing his attention back on Nocthar. "This dream?"

"A dream?" Nocthar let out a sharp laugh, the sound making the void tremble like thunder from a bolt of lightning.

"Oh, it could pass for one at a glance, but no, Kaden, my cherished top pick, this is merely a recollection."

"Favorite candidate?" Kaden repeated, his brows arching in surprise. "What rubbish are you spouting? And how can this spot be a memory?"

"A memory, Kaden." Nocthar reiterated. "One that triggered because of your bloodline and the death essence inside you, right after you witnessed..."

He halted, cocking his head, which made the chains encircling his form groan in resistance. The chains shimmered with light, and his head jerked back into place.

Nocthar flinched. He whispered something to himself, sending another surge of agony rippling through him.

His jaw clenched in fury. After a deep breath, Nocthar steadied his composure, regained his grin, and turned his gaze to Kaden before responding,

"So much time has flown by." He stated. "Yet something must have stirred in response to you. Following my Lord's usual ways, it likely came via a bird, a weapon, a painting—!"

Kaden flinched involuntarily at the mention of painting. Nocthar cut himself off short.

"A painting, it seems." He deduced, eyeing Kaden with evident amusement.

Kaden responded with quiet stillness. He merely fixed his stare on him, a whirlwind of thoughts racing wildly in his head.

His condition had improved somewhat, though he sensed his life ebbing away. He figured it was thanks to Rea, without a doubt.

Nevertheless, Kaden realized this reprieve wouldn't endure.

And even if it did, he had zero desire to linger here. The divinity permeating the air was toxifying his form.

Despite everything, Kaden refused to depart without gaining at least a few insights.

"Who exactly are you?" He demanded, his tone firm. "And what was that blood you bestowed upon me in the dungeon?"

His words grew sharper and chillier, like the bite of frost,

"Twice now, Nocthar." He held up two fingers. "Twice this power has stirred. And each time, it plunged me into visions crowding my mind. Visions of someone forcing a Sun to bleed. Visions of the sky itself plummeting toward me."

Kaden stopped, drawing in a breath, then releasing it gently to steady his pulse. He pressed on,

"What have you done to me, Nocthar?"

Nocthar's features retained their playful smirk. However, a touch of gravity now laced it.

"A Grandmaster already, are you?" Nocthar noted. "And you've claimed half a Death Aspect. Impressive indeed. My judgment was spot on. I was absolutely correct to grant you my Lord's blood."

"Who is this Lord you've kept mentioning?" Kaden asked, tilting his head slightly.

"A god." Nocthar answered plainly. "A god who perished."

He added for emphasis.

Kaden's brows furrowed tightly. But before he could reply, Nocthar went on,

"As for my identity? Ah, it's been ages since I introduced myself properly. How reminiscent."

He flashed a wide grin.

"I am NoctharMortofDeath

Kaden's mind reeled. He nearly toppled over, as though a massive hammer had smashed into his skull.

His entire being seemed on the verge of shattering beneath the sheer burden of that name.

He stumbled back one step, then two, then five, before steadying himself amid the excruciating torment clutching his head.

Nocthar didn't pause for him to recover. He pressed forward with his speech, as if pressed for time.

"I lack the moments to recount the full origins of this tale, Kaden, my prized one. For now, grasp this: you possess a shard of my Lord's bloodline. The Aspect of War! Yet even that remains incomplete, merely half."

"Death upon all of them!" He abruptly screamed in rage. The chains clashed and slammed into him like falling skies.

Brushing aside the torment, he forged ahead without delay,

"You hold the partial Aspect of War and the partial Aspect of Death. To complete it, you must claim the missing halves plus the one for Blood, Kaden."

"Why must I?" Kaden croaked, sensing his essence fraying at the edges. "Why trouble myself collecting every Aspect from a fallen god?"

"You'll require them." Nocthar insisted. "A full bloodline and a complete Pathway are essential to ascend to Elderling rank. You have no alternative, Kaden. None!"

"I could—!"

"First off," Nocthar interrupted, "no matter your talent, forging your own Pathway lies beyond you. If even TheSovereign scarcely managed it, you won't, Kaden. Your forebear stands as the pinnacle of your lineage. Oh... Perhaps the Godkiller might match him..."

His tone softened, observing Kaden's stunned expression.

He proceeded,

"And secondly, my favored one, even by some fluke if you pull it off, death awaits." Nocthar declared. "Without a pre-existing Pathway, pursuing Elderling will claim your life."

Kaden felt utterly adrift. This flood of revelations overwhelmed his thoughts, leaving them sluggish.

Now he learned he had to assemble the Aspects of a deceased deity.

Failure meant his end?

He let out a bitter scoff, ready to retort, but the environment started fracturing and collapsing.

"You've no option, Kaden." Nocthar concluded, as the void engulfed him bit by bit. "Your bloodline's fragmentation has purpose. Though gravely wounded in the ordeal, they will return to conclude their work."

He regarded Kaden with a steely, unyielding glare.

"You require a Pathway, Kaden. A god to back you, or your entire kin perishes."

"Who are these foes?" Kaden forced out, his form breaking into wisps of energy.

"The very ones who bound me in these chains." The Ascendant of Death replied, straining futilely against his restraints. "You'll recognize them. Their names will reveal them. Don't question the method. Simply accept that you will."

Kaden sensed his physical self returning.

Awakening loomed near, he understood.

"One final warning, Kaden!" Nocthar roared. "The eight mountains! Traverse them from dawn till noon, in no set sequence, to reach the bridge."

"And beneath the bridge lies—!"

All dissolved into shattering chaos, plunging into utter quiet. Kaden lingered bewildered, enveloped in shadows.

Soon after, he jolted awake, gulping air desperately, his eyes flying open to a hazy pale visage with ruby eyes shining wearily.

"W-What..." Kaden's attempt at speech faltered, his parched throat like brittle foliage, forcing coughs over words.

He moistened his lips and detected a metallic tang. But not his own blood. No, this tasted of...

His vision sharpened, settling on Rea. Her frame showed no signs of blood loss.

Noticing his return to consciousness, Rea exhaled in relief, only to collapse instantly, dropping like a heavy burden to the earth.

"My dear Rea!" Einar cried out anxiously, dashing to her side.

But before he could arrive,

"Blanche." Noah uttered hoarsely. His command echoed powerfully.

A phoenix's piercing cry rang out, followed by a burst of pure white flames that enveloped the pair of betrothed in a safeguarding glow.

Kaden remained sprawled, drained to his core, his thoughts replaying the recent ordeal.

He shut his eyes wearily, breathing out lightly from nose and lips.

"Bloody fucking hell."

—End of Chapter 408—