Lord of Annihilation

"The vitality has been sucked away?"

"The soul has been pulled away?"

Lucius and Ka'lor'ah spoke at the same time. They hurriedly turned to face each other, noticing the shock in their voices.

"This matter is far more complicated than we expected it to be." Taking a deep breath, Lucius spoke.

"Indeed. Far more dangerous too." Ka'lor'ah continued.

The light in Lucius' eyes dimmed for a moment, before brightening once more. Ignoring the disappearing corpse of the Cerberus' he quickly evaluated himself.

"65% of my soul power is remaining, whereas my void energy is halved. I can maintain [State of Devour] for 1 hour and 30 minutes without losing control." 

"In other words, we have to kill the mastermind of this labyrinth, who could be a Stage 4 or Stage 5 existence, while being in a less than optimal state." Ka'lor'ah bitterly said.

"Indeed." Lucius nodded his head.

He started to mend only the essential parts of his body that had been injured while ignoring some of the less important ones. For the upcoming battle, Lucius had to scrimp and save on every single drop of energy.

"What's the plan?" Lucius asked while healing himself. 

He found himself to be more rational after the injuries sustained in the battle against the Cerberus. The waves of pain attacking his mind seemed to suppress the mad desire of the Void Eater bloodline, helping him maintain greater control.

As if waiting for Lucius to ask this question, Ka'lor'ah immediately cast the isolation barrier spell hiding them from the eyes of the Lords.

She then explained to Lucius her findings on the soul of the Cerberus being sucked into that closed large door behind them.

"A Stage 3 soul was forcibly sucked into the space behind the door, instead of returning to Limbo… could the opponent be stronger than Stage 5?" Lucius grimly asked.

If killing a Stage 5 was already impossible and caused one to feel hopeless, then this was just beyond impossible. 

Even someone with an unwavering will like Lucius would feel hopeless if this was the case.

"That's impossible." Ka'lor'ah firmly replied.

"The concentration of spiritual energy and the density of the Rules in this part of the Universe is simply too low. If a being higher than Stage 5 comes here, he/she would undoubtedly die."

As mentioned before, the concentration of spiritual energy and the density of the surrounding Rules to the higher stages beings were akin to what water is to a fish.

In order to sustain their existence, they were required to be in an environment that could provide them with the sufficient energy (spiritual energy and Rules) required for their sustainment. 

In places like Pectron, which lied in the very fringes of the Universe, the concentration of spiritual energy and the density of Rules were very low, compared to places that were closer to the center of the Universe.

In fact, the very reason that Lucius and Ka'lor'ah even had decided to fight it out with the master of this labyrinth was because of this reason.

Even though the master was a supposed Stage 4 or Stage 5 being, in such an environment where he could barely sustain himself, his strength would also be very low.

The chance of success was very minuscule bordering on the verge of zero. However, there at least existed a chance at success. Whereas if they were to ignore this chance and run away, it would only be a matter of time before the Lords discover their peculiar 'Cause' and find them.

And against the Lords, even Stage 7 existences were lesser than ants.

"There is no doubt that the master of this place is higher than Stage 3 but lesser than Stage 5. Not only that but from what I've seen from the arrangement and construction of this labyrinth, his life seems to be in its last embers."

"The metal conduits arranged throughout the corridors, transporting life force and vital energy of the world into this place. As an ex-higher Stage, you should know how great of a life force is required to increase lifespan."

Lucius nodded his head in understanding.

At Stage 3, one is able to connect themselves with the world, thus wielding power and life force that is equal to the world. A Stage 4 would naturally have a higher life force.

However, all living things have an end. Even stars that have burnt for billions of years will eventually die out. The life force of a living organism is finite, and therefore the existence of a 'lifespan'.

Any living thing at its base state (non-awakened) will possess a fixed amount of lifespan.

Mankind (Humans) for example without any external supplements can live for 80-100 years.

Lacermen have a base lifespan of 120-150 years. Terrans have a base lifespan of 100-120 years. Bertarians have a lifespan of 250-300 years. 

The higher the Grade, the greater the average lifespan of a creature. Of course, this rule isn't absolute and certain exceptions do exist.

Ka'lor'ah's race for example has a minimum lifespan (unawakened) of 10,000 years!

After undergoing 'ascension' and starting the journey of cultivation, each increase in Stage will increase one's lifespan. However, this increase is often minimal and barely differs from the base lifespan.

Humans at Stage 3 will have a maximum lifespan of 150 years. Since their cultivation cannot go past this point, their lifespan is also fixed.

"From what I've seen, it's obvious that the lifespan of the master of this labyrinth is coming to an end. In a bid to extend it, he's using some sort of life-extension technique."

"However, there still remained a question. Why would he go to such lengths to hide from Cause and Fate for using a life extension technique?"

"No matter how vile or evil the methods are, it does not warrant such caution, requiring it to be hidden from the Lords."

As the name suggests 'life extension' techniques are methods that can be used to increase one's diminishing lifespan. These methods are greatly varied, with each race possessing its own practices.

Humanity's use of modern technology to regenerate dead cells, replace dying organs, etc, can be considered life extension techniques. 

Again, with the increase in one's cultivation, the methods of extending their lifespan will also decrease. One cannot hope to have both power and eternal life.

Due to the large variety in the methods to extend lifespan, there exist some methods which are considered 'unethical', 'demonic' or 'evil' in the eyes of the public.

The act of stealing the lifespan of others to supplement one's own is a classic technique of the [Evil] faction. These techniques are considered abhorrent and vile by the [Good] faction, with the users of such methods often being collectively hunted by the faction.

The master of the labyrinth was using such an 'evil' method.

"I mean, it is understandable that he has to hide from the [Good] faction, but is such preparation necessary? It feels redundant to go to such extents just to hide from some fanatics of the [Good] faction."

"This was the question that had been confusing me for a long time. However, after seeing the soul of the Cerberus being sucked into that door, I finally understood."

Speaking until here Ka'lor'ah paused for a moment.

"I do not know how he did it, but the master of this labyrinth has touched upon the secrets of the soul! He has reached a level of understanding that is superior to both the Lords and I." Ka'lor'ah declared. 

Since the beginning of the Universe, there never existed a Lord of Souls. 

While the Rule of Souls wasn't the highest Rule in existence, it is nonetheless the most elusive and mysterious one. According to legend, only the Overlord is known to have control over the Rule of Souls.

"It is common knowledge that souls are indestructible. However, this Rule isn't absolute. Every Stage 7 existence more or less knows this fact. Your ability to devour souls is a good example proving this."

"But!" she interjected.

"The fact that all souls, five seconds after death, must return to Limbo is indisputable! Even your power of 'Void' cannot stop it. Not even the Lords using their full strength can stop this!"

It is known that souls cannot be created, but are rather repurposed and recycled after the death of a living thing. The memories and experiences of the living being are wiped before the soul is returned to the Universe with the birth of a new life.

Limbo is a special plane of existence that lies outside the Universe. It is here that all souls return after death, to have their memories and strengths wiped, before being recycled. 

Not much is known about Limbo since its location and method to reach it is unknown. Due to the fact that it lies 'outside' of the Universe, Limbo isn't bounded by the Rules and is also outside the control and jurisdiction of the Lords.

However, like always exceptions do exist. 

There is one person, who has reached Limbo and had made it back into the Universe.

And that person was precisely Lucius.