Chapter 5: Into the Void
The Void, the home of Null, was a massive empty plane. Devoid of color. Devoid of life. Devoid of anything and everything. The Void was endless; empty, dark, quiet, and cold. However, there was something within the dark of the Void. A throne. Carved from dark obsidian and enchanted heavily with dark magic. It was a massive structure, reaching close to forty feet tall and just as wide.
It was the legendary Dark Throne.
The Throne of the Darkest One himself, Null!
The massive throne was the only structure in the Void. It was created eons ago when the Universe was still young. It was the source of Null's power, the symbol of his might, and the last thing his enemies saw before the Master of Darkness and evil destroyed their souls. Of course, this was after he finished tormenting them in the Void. Their screams pierced the eerie silence, only to vanish as if they were not there.
In the endless vacuum of space that is the Void, the throne is held up by a massive, onyx-scaled snake with a diamond head and glittering red eyes. It writhes and twists its coils to escape the pressure of holding the throne in its' open maw. Long fangs curve over the obsidian structure and venom drips on the footrest, sizzling like acid, as muffled hisses escape its throat.
This is the Serpent, constructed by Null with darkness itself while sharing the Lord of the Dark Realms' cunning and desire for manipulation. It is a horcrux. Null's horcrux. In fact, it was the first Horcrux created in existence. Once it was a prized pet, but then it tried to betray the Darkest One. Now, it holds the Endless One's throne for all eternity as punishment for its audacity in daring to betray its creator.
Null was, in fact, sitting on the throne in the massive snake's jaws, when something entered his realm. Floating in was an astral projection in the form of the favorite Herald of Null. The Dark Lord was dressed in dark clothing, geared towards combat, with a similarly colored dark cloak and hood. His face was covered with a silver mask decorated in likeness of an Oni, a Japanese demon. On the forehead of the mask was a dark colored infinity symbol - ∞ - the symbol of the Darkest One. As the Herald floated closer to his master, the Darkest One made a subtle gesture with his hand. Rocks formed, springing into existence, and taking shape. Soon a small platform was created, allowing the Dark Lord to kneel to the Darkest One.
As Null sat with his back to his herald, the Herald spoke; "My Lord, everything is going to plan, just as you said it would. Your plans are working, Master."
Null's lips, or what can be passed for lips, twisted in a strange way-maybe passing for a smile in his true form, which was indescribable. In fact, should his Herald lay eyes upon Null's true form, he would be vaporized. Null's true form was impossible to see since he was beyond thought and sight. He is the ultimate Personification and Embodiment of Darkness!
A being of unlimited power which brought - and still brings - fear to all who see or sense his greatness. No one who has entered the Void had seen Null's true form and lived. The Creator of Evil's mere presence was so great that it shattered reality.
As a result, artifacts like horcruxes and avatars like his Heralds, were needed to carry his messages and his presence to the Cabal and the Realms.
The Dark Lord glanced up towards his master to resume his report. "My King, Scar and Wolf were able to beat back our offensive on the Preserve."
His gloved fists tightened as he spoke the names of the Cabal's greatest foes. Null smiled again as his omniscient senses picked up the faint creaking of the leather of gloves. All according to plan. To keep his Herald's heart dark and cruel. Killing those muggles, the family of Harry Potter, savored his Champion's bloodthirst for now.
"You fear your brother, don't you, Corvus Vulpus?"
The brother of Scarious Vulpus, Corvus "Corvo" Vulpus-Le Fay, snarled as his master's booming voice echoed across the Void before vanishing. The human male removed his mask. He, like his brother, was a tall man with dark hair. However, instead of blue eyes and scarred skin, his eyes were a deep black and his skin was unblemished apart from one scar across his right eye. A gift from Wolf after his defection.
He was one of the most powerful users of magic to have ever been born with only Scar, Wolf, and Merlin to have surpassed him. He was brutal, killing those who failed him or got in his way, either by the torture curse or by shattering their souls with pure darkness. Age, gender, or even blood was not a factor in his choice of victims. He had killed even members of his own family if they got in his way. Yet, there is one he cares for.
"I fear no one, My Lord. The man who is my brother is dead to me," he spat. "Blinded by the Pack's weakness." Then, the Dark Lord's voice grew soft. "We must save him. Bring back my brother. Show him the true path."
"And we will, my Herald. We will."
The Traitor of the Pack smiled. Soon he and his brother would be together again. Saving the World for their true foe. Then, something came to him. "And what of the Daughter of War?"
Null's smile stretched. "Ah, Enya or Master Guardian Wolf."
Corvo nodded. He held Wolf in very high regard. They served together during the Mystic War when they were members of the Thirteen Guardians. Scar Vulpus' thirteen guardians were regarded among the best ever within the Pack, with only the Original Thirteen Guardians of Legend being better. In fact, many believed they were destined to be the Guardians of Prophecy until the Omega came and revealed that they were not the true Thirteen Guardians.
The day after he learned that Scar and Wolf were actually two of the Thirteen, he grew angry and jealous. Why wasn't he one of the Thirteen? This was one the main factors that led to his defection, along with the revelation that the Pack was a poor example of order. Instead, they embraced free will. Earth was a mess, both in its magical and mundane communities. Wars, racism, prejudice, class segregation, pollution, etc. All of this was due to choice and emotion. These problems weren't just limited to Earth. Every realm suffered from much the same.
No. It would be better if only one being, with the knowledge and power to create a utopia and not be bound by emotion, ruled the Realmverse. Null was the only logical choice. He was wise, unlimited in power, and used reasoning and logic in his approach. Corvo knew that Null didn't want to destroy the Realms. He wanted to save them, save all life from the dangers of free will and emotion.
Unfortunately, Scar and Wolf do not understand this glorious vision. So, what if some people had to die? It was for the greater good of all. So, what if Null had to destroy a few realms. Everyone would be together in the Void, serving the Darkest One forever. After all, work keeps people blinded by the horrors of freedom.
Null's booming voice interrupted his thoughts. "You want to know why I am interested in the Daughter of War?" amusement dripped from the Endless One's voice like honey. Corvo could sense the smile still stretching his face. Corvo nodded, knowing that Null could sense it.
"Yes, master."
"Your brother, the War Daughter, the Potter Lord, as well as the other members of the Prophesied Ones, are halfbloods, and worse, descendants of those who banished me from your world during the First Conflict. Halfbloods have access to the magics of the world, and have the open-minded thinking of the mundane. They are threats, and threats to the Void must be turned or destroyed.
"But Scar and Wolf are the greater threats. They are more experienced, more powerful. Enya is the descendant of the Bloodline of Olympus, meaning if powers grow, she might be powerful enough to stop me. In fact, I have faced it before."
Corvo nodded grimly as he knew what his master was talking about. Years ago, the Pack Guardians traveled to a distant realm to rescue Scar, who had been trapped by the Dark Heralds. The Guardians and Heralds fought and many of the Heralds fell in the resulting battle. Until Null showed up. The Endless One, in his weakened form, mocked the Guardians, only to be faced by Wolf who had tapped into her Divine heritage to battle the Darkest One as his heralds retreated into the Void.
Despite Null being more powerful than her, however in his weakest form, he was no match for the sheer power of the Divine Force. The Divine Force had the chance to call the Gods of the Pack to their Avatar's aid, and even Null knew he was outmatched by the combined force of both the Guardians and the Gods in his weakest form. He didn't want to resurrect in the Void again. That would take him many years to heal and regenerate. No, it was better for the Pack to take the victory and he could plan and regroup.
So, he fled the battle. However, seeing that Null was alive only convinced Corvo and his loyal Guardians to abandon their cause and join their greatest foe. They became known as the Traitors of the Pack.
Null spoke again. "Call the others. It is time for the game to begin. I have found three more potential wizards to serve me. Now, we will be up to full strength. Thirteen Heralds to challenge the Thirteen Guardians. One will go to Hogwarts since most of the other Prophesied Guardians are there. She will ensure their suffering. The other two have been my unknown servants for years. You will return to Earth and prepare for the next stage of the Plan."
Corvo bowed to his master. "As you command, Darkest One"
As Corvo left, the One in the Void returned his attention to the tortured soul bound before him. One of his potential Heralds.
"Now, where were we, my servant."
The soul glared at the Darkest One. "Fool! You dare to call me your servant!? I, Lord V-," the soul shrieked in pain as Null unleashed his power upon it, his voice never losing its calm.
"Oh, worm. You are wrong. I have always been your master. It was I who whispered the one destined to defeat you on that fateful Halloween. It was I who shielded your soul from the Pack operatives. It was I who helped you create your horcruxes. You are mine. You will always be mine. And you are nothing to me, boy," near the end of his rant, the Darkest One's voice rose just a little.
"Just a whining excuse of darkness and hatred. You are not even fit to be called the Dark Lord. Pathetic is what you are. You brag about your great power, but to me, you are nothing but a coward and a weakling. I am the King of Darkness, the true master of dark magic. Any secret you claim to know or have has been mine already. But now it is time for you to begin your true destiny. To become my Herald, a true Dark Lord. The time has come for you to serve me fully, Tom Riddle."
The soul of Lord Voldemort, which had been summoned from Earth by the Darkest One, could only scream. For this was one of the few times in his life that fear had entered his heart. Eventually, the would-be Dark Lord was forced to kneel to his true master, and submit to his will. As Voldemort knelt due to the awesome power of Null, the One in the Void smiled. Soon, all would be forced to follow Null just like this new servant.
He was back to his full power at last. The wounds of the First Conflict have been healed. His armies were ready. His might, restored.
Soon, all would serve him. All would be him. The Age of Null would come. Light would be destroyed, and true order would be imposed on the universe and the horrors of the Void would be unleashed on anyone who would try to stand in his way. He will rule with his queen though his chosen host.
Without a second thought and a mere mental thought, he returned his newest minion to Earth. He turned to face the endless space of the Void, where behind him, stood a chessboard. The normal chess pieces were replaced by statues resembling different people, all placed in different positions on the checkered white-and-black board.
"Scar Vulpus, Enya Romulus," he said, "shall we play a game? The game for the fate of all. Winner takes all." His dark eyes lit up with unholy amusement. "I have to say, I am looking forward to this. I have faced many Guardians and members of your own families, but you two have earned my respect.
"Your willpower, strength, and inner darkness are both amusing and fascinating to watch. I knew that you two were always destined to be my final foes. You are more worthy of my time than the First Omega of the Pack himself. Whilst your current Omega is impressive, he is nothing to me, and nothing to you two. The Potter boy and the others are formidable in their own right, but they are nowhere near both of your level."
The Darkest One smiled. "I have to say that I never thought I would speak of my respect to a mortal and a demigoddess, but times do change. You will serve me one way or another. I have very special plans for the two of you. I am looking forward to this."
With a gesture of massive shadowy hand, a chess piece resembling an especially warty Toad moved on the board.
"Let the game begin."
A/N: Hey guys, hope you guys liked our first appearance of Null and Corvo. Please review and tell us what you think.