The emperor froze when he saw the figure standing before him. He didn't move, didn't attack, just stared at him with eyes brimming with surprise… then certainty. "So… you're Side, aren't you?" he said in a low voice.
He raised his gaze slightly and added, "A fusion of Saruto… and the Dark Dragon Void."
Side stiffened. He hadn't expected to be recognized so quickly. "How did he know who I am?" he thought. "Even I… haven't seen him before."
But the emperor interrupted his thoughts before they could be fully formed. "You're wondering how I knew, aren't you? I'll tell you."
He took a step forward, his voice growing deeper. "Do you know a dragon named Darius?"
Side eyes widened. "Don't tell me you're—"
The emperor smiled darkly. "Yes. Darius… is fused with me. He's inside me now."
The emperor closed his eyes. Then he opened them. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from his mouth. A rough, deep voice, laced with ancient sarcasm. "Hello, Saruto… we meet again."
Side froze. The voice continued, "Unfortunately… last time I let you off easy. Adrian body wasn't compatible with my mindset. That's why you were able to defeat me."
A short laugh escaped him. "But now… I'm with your evil version. Or rather… the Emperor."
Then, with a confident tone, he said, "And you know what I'm capable of…"
"Especially when I'm in a body that's compatible with me."
Side consciousness twitched. He remembered. That day. When Darius had possessed Adrian body. How he had disrupted his fusion with a single movement. How he had mercilessly brought him down. Side took a deep breath, then said with deadly calm, "So be it."
Then he added, "But before that… I must thank you."
Darius laughed. "Thank me? And why?"
"Because today… I will fulfill my promise to Adrian," said Side, his eyes blazing. "By eliminating you."
Darius laughed loudly. "Then try."
He withdrew his voice and surrendered control to the Emperor. The Emperor opened his eyes. "Looks like you enjoyed talking with my partner. Now… let's continue the fight."
A thick burst of dark energy erupted from his body. Then, as if remembering, he said, "What's that skill called? Ah… I remember. Consciousness."
Side eyes widened. In an instant, the Emperor's body transformed. He was completely covered in black dragon scales. A smoky breath escaped his mouth. "So this is the power that this skill grants," he said proudly. "From this day forward… no one will be able to stand in my way."
But Side gave him no time. He shot forward with lightning speed, landing a direct punch. "Enough talk… and fight!"
The Emperor raised his hand and blocked the punch with one. "Didn't anyone teach you? Don't interrupt when someone is speaking," he said coldly.
Then came a counter-punch. It landed in Side stomach. Blood gushed from his mouth. He fell to the ground. But it didn't stop there. Blows rained down on him. Again and again. Then the Emperor caught him and hurled him into the air. He teleported to Side in an instant. He delivered a powerful kick.
Side flew away. The Emperor landed on the ground and formed his swords. He began pumping terrifying dark energy into them. He swung them with all his might. A single attack ripped through the sky. Above, Side was unconscious. But then he awoke.
He saw the attack coming. He regained his balance in the air. A dragon's head formed on his chest. He began gathering energy in his mouth. Then he released it. The two attacks collided. They clashed, then exploded.
In a flash, the Emperor appeared behind Side. He grabbed him by the neck. He flew him upwards at breakneck speed. Then he slammed him down to earth with all his might. The ground shattered. Side lay motionless on the ground. The Emperor stepped forward. "This is the end for you," he said.
He grasped Side face. He canceled the Fusion. The scales vanished. Saruto features returned. "So… you've mastered Darius skill," Saruto said, his voice weary. "The skill of canceling the Fusion."
The Emperor laughed. "Didn't I tell you, Saruto? I'm stronger than you."
Saruto laughed bitterly. "Then… what are you waiting for? Finish me off."
The Emperor shook his head. "No. The ruler Umbra wants you."
Saruto eyes widened. "Umbra… wants me?"
Suddenly, an even greater dark energy enveloped the Emperor's body. Greater, heavier, and more terrifying. His voice changed. "Hello, Saruto. We finally meet."
Saruto shuddered. "Is that… you?"
The reply came from the same body. "Yes. I am… the ruler of darkness. Umbra."