In dense darkness…
a darkness where nothing could be seen, and nothing could be heard except broken breaths,
Ascaron lay sprawled on a cold floor, his body covered in wounds and bruises.
Every breath he took felt like a new stab.
His pain went beyond the body…
it reached the soul.
He whispered in a broken voice, barely audible:
Ascaron:
"Is… is there anyone among the rulers… who can hear me…?"
But the darkness did not answer.
A tremendous weight pressed down on his chest…
and his eyes closed against his will.
He suddenly found himself…
inside a noble palace.
Shining floors, towering pillars, and glowing chandeliers.
He was wearing luxurious noble clothes, with an elegant sword hanging at his waist.
He was laughing…
laughing with a voice he had not laughed with for centuries.
Around him were people…
but something was wrong.
He took a step closer.
The faces…
began to distort.
Eyes without pupils, mouths opened wider than they should be, broken smiles.
Ascaron froze in place.
Then…
they spoke in one voice:
"Ascaron… why didn't you save us?"
They approached him slowly.
"Come with us…" "Why did you leave us?"
Ascaron stepped back, his voice trembling:
Ascaron:
"Stay away from me! This isn't real!"
But hands reached out toward him…
He opened his eyes suddenly.
A muffled scream burst from his chest.
The darkness returned…
and the pain returned, harsher than before.
His body was still restrained, the wounds still bleeding,
and the smell of blood filled the place.
Heavy footsteps approached.
A Hell guard appeared, looking at him with contempt.
Hell Guard (mocking):
"Oh? You're not dead yet, former guard of the Yuhakido family?"
He stepped closer.
"Be grateful…
if it weren't for the intervention of the Elf Race Ruler, I would have cut off your head long ago."
He laughed a cold laugh, then turned and left.
Ascaron was left alone.
He whispered to himself:
"Yuhakido…
the noble family I served…
I was its royal guard…"
He breathed with difficulty.
"I don't know… how much time has passed for me here…"
Suddenly…
The darkness was torn apart.
A gate opened.
From it emerged a man…
his aura terrifying, heavy, rivaling the aura of the King of Hell himself.
Ascaron's eyes widened.
Ascaron (in shock):
"E– Elf Ruler?!"
The newcomer laughed calmly.
Elf Ruler:
"My apologies for the delay… I was in a long discussion with the King of Hell."
He paused for a moment, then looked at him steadily.
Ascaron (with a trembling voice):
"Am… am I free now?"
The ruler smiled.
Elf Ruler:
"Yes."
Then he said a single word:
"Rise."
He extended his hand.
Ascaron hesitated…
then grasped it.
And with a strength he had not felt in a long time…
he stood.
Elf Ruler:
"The Yuhakido family is waiting for you."
He opened a gate behind him.
Before entering, Ascaron turned, a calm smile appearing on his exhausted face.
Ascaron (whispering):
"We'll meet again soon… Riley."
And he vanished.
Elsewhere…
The King of Hell stood, his aura tearing the ground beneath him apart.
King of Hell (furious):
"You took one of my dead…
but I swear… next time… I will kill you."
He struck the ground.
A massive crater formed, filled with blood and darkness.