"Congratulations to all of you," King Raizen said, his deep voice resonating across the summit of the Shadow Realm.
The mountain peak stood beneath a swirling sky of darkened clouds, the air heavy yet strangely calm — as if the world itself was holding its breath after witnessing something monumental.
Ren inclined his head slightly. "To you as well," he replied evenly.
But then his expression shifted.
"However…" Ren continued, his tone sharpening just a little. "You formed an alliance of three realms. Yet the King of Fire is not present. Is something wrong?"
For a brief moment, silence lingered.
Then Raizen laughed.
It was not a mocking laugh, nor a nervous one — but something layered, something careful.
"Haha! Let's just say… he is not feeling well."
Ren's eyes narrowed faintly, though he said nothing more.
He understood.
Kings did not simply "fall ill."
Something deeper was moving beneath the surface.
In the Realm of Fire
Far from the cold peaks of shadow, the atmosphere burned with suffocating heat.
The Monarch of Ashes stood inside his blazing throne hall — yet for the first time in centuries, the flames around him flickered not with pride… but with fear.
His mind replayed the battle over and over again.
A so-called weak monarch.
A Ninth King.
A shadow-born ruler who was supposed to be inferior.
And yet…
That presence.
That power.
That overwhelming dominion over darkness.
His hands trembled slightly.
His wife stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
"My lord," she whispered softly. "You are letting fear cloud your judgment."
But he could not calm down.
He had seen something that day.
Not merely strength.
Not merely potential.
He had seen inevitability.
And it terrified him.
Back in the Shadow Realm
The wind howled across the mountain as King Raizen and King Zeraphion prepared to depart.
The alliance had been declared.
The realms were shifting.
And history had quietly taken a new turn.
As they turned to leave, Ren suddenly spoke.
"King Zeraphion."
The Winged King paused mid-step and turned back, his vast white cloak flowing behind him like a storm of feathers.
"What is it that I can help you with, Ninth King?" he asked calmly.
Ren did not hesitate.
"I need someone to train Yume."
Zeraphion's sharp eyes flickered with interest.
"She has gained new power," Ren continued. "But she must learn to control it. To use it properly. I need someone capable — not merely strong — but wise."
Zeraphion fell silent, thinking.
The wind brushed against his silver hair as he closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then he nodded.
"I know of someone."
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly.
"He is strict. Ruthless in training. But unmatched in control. I will send him to you as soon as I return to my realm."
Ren gave a firm nod. "Thank you."
Zeraphion's expression shifted — becoming more serious.
"Ninth Shadow Monarch… this alliance is only the beginning. You have proven today that you are not a mere king."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Be prepared for what comes next. Power attracts more than respect."
It attracts war.
Though he did not say those words aloud, the meaning lingered in the air.
With that, both Raizen and Zeraphion opened their respective dimensional gates and disappeared into light and lightning — leaving behind only the whispering wind.
Now only Ren, Yume, Kuro, Althric, Umbra, and Zyra remained on the mountain.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
The world felt… quieter.
Ren turned toward Althric.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Your advice helped more than you know."
Althric bowed his head slightly. "It was my duty, my king."
Ren then looked toward the others.
"Zyra. Master Kuro. And especially you, Umbra… thank you."
Zyra placed her hand over her chest and bowed gracefully.
Umbra dropped to one knee without hesitation.
"It is our honor to serve," Umbra said firmly.
The loyalty in his voice was unwavering.
Zyra then raised her hand and tore open the Abyss Gate — a swirling vortex of deep violet darkness crackling with unstable energy.
She glanced at Umbra and Althric.
"Let us return. We have matters to attend to."
They nodded.
One by one, the three stepped through the abyss and vanished.
The gate closed.
Silence returned.
Ren exhaled slowly.
Then he turned to Yume and Master Kuro.
"Let's find the best candidate," Ren said calmly. "Someone who can handle the power of the Third General."
Yume smirked faintly. "Hehe… I think I know exactly who."
Kuro stroked his beard thoughtfully, then nodded.
"Yes. There is only one person suited for this."
"Let's go," Ren said.
A Few Minutes Later
They arrived at their destination.
"We've arrived," Kuro announced.
Waiting near the training grounds stood Zenkai.
He crossed his arms, his sharp gaze landing on Ren immediately.
"So?" he asked. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes," Ren replied. "Everything is settled."
Zenkai narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Then who were those presences I sensed?"
Ren glanced around.
"Call everyone. I will explain."
After a While…
The group gathered.
Haru leaned against the wall casually.
Daiki stood with arms folded.
Sumire stood beside Zenkai, observant as always.
Ren explained everything — the alliance, the meeting, the agreement.
When he finished—
"WHAT?!" Zenkai burst out.
Sumire elbowed him lightly.
"Calm down."
Haru exhaled slowly. "So… the Winged King who attacked first has now joined an alliance with you?"
Daiki added, "Why so suddenly?"
Zenkai frowned deeply. "Yes. Why form an alliance now?"
Ren's voice remained steady.
"Because the balance between realms is changing. Small conflicts won't matter soon. They understand that."
Sumire nodded slowly. "So it's practical… not emotional."
"Exactly," Ren said. "This is about stability."
Haru straightened slightly.
"And the King of Fire?"
Ren paused.
"He is… uncertain."
The room grew quiet.
No one pressed further.
Some answers were better left unspoken.
Ren then glanced toward Kuro.
"Should I tell them about the Eight-King Master?"
Kuro shook his head.
"No. They will discover it in time."
Ren nodded.
Then—
Zenkai stepped forward.
"So, Ren," he said firmly. "Shall we begin?"
Ren's lips curved faintly.
"Hm?"
"Our fight," Zenkai said.
A slight grin appeared on Ren's face.
"Father… let's see who wins."
The air shifted instantly.
Everyone stepped back.
The first battle between father and son was about to begin.
They walked toward the open training field.
Both positioned themselves.
The sky above darkened unnaturally fast.
Clouds swirled.
Wind roared.
"REN!" Zenkai shouted. "Don't hold back for even a second. Go all out!"
Ren's eyes sharpened.
"That was always the plan, Father. I want you to do the same."
And then—
The atmosphere exploded.
Black shadows erupted from the ground like imprisoned beasts finally freed.
Darkness spiraled violently around both of them, wrapping around their bodies, climbing like living serpents.
It felt suffocating.
Overwhelming.
Hungry.
The shadows swallowed them whole.
And then—
They vanished.
When the darkness cleared, two figures stood in their place.
Two knights.
Two kings.
Ren's armor gleamed in black and deep obsidian tones. Sigil veins pulsed along its surface, glowing faintly like living runes carved into metal. His helmet ignited with blue flame, flickering intensely around the eye slits.
In his right hand—
A katana formed from pure shadow.
Its blade shimmered like condensed night.
Across from him stood Zenkai.
His armor looked ancient — cracked in places, weathered by countless battles. Yet the aura radiating from him was monstrous.
Raw.
Unyielding.
Though Ren possessed more power…
Zenkai's presence was equally overwhelming.
Experience.
Resolve.
Legacy.
The ground beneath them cracked.
The wind screamed around them.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Ren slowly raised his blade.
"So, Father…"
His voice echoed from within the helmet, layered and distorted by power.
"Shall we continue?"
TO BE CONTINUED...[1]
[1] Don't worry this particular have a lot of thing to cover before the actual showdown. Hang on tight fellas! We will start the assasination arc very soon.