Hades spoke softly, as if delving into the pages of a distant past. "Let's go back a little, to before the First Founder acquired the Dark Power… to the moment when everything changed."
She paused, then continued, her eyes shining with the dignity of a ruler. "When Umbra gained the Dark Power, he was no longer the outcast everyone mocked. He decided to return and reclaim his rightful place as ruler. Some rulers opposed him, scorned him, and despised him as they always had… but this time, he didn't run away, and he didn't remain silent."
The air around them trembled as if the memories themselves carried the weight of those moments. "He crushed them, one by one, and proved to them with absolute power that he was worthy of ruling."
Saruto eyes widened slightly as Hades continued, "Then, he went to our brother Shiran and asked him to allow him to unleash the Dark Power in the world he ruled. Shiran… agreed."
A brief silence followed before she added, "The energy of darkness spread throughout that world, but it didn't remain free for long. Eventually, it was captured by a dragon, and from there it passed to the first founder of the Dark Family."
Saruto froze. Umbra past wasn't what he had imagined.
He realized now that this ruler who haunted and tormented him had tasted contempt and rejection, and had suffered for over forty thousand years. Saruto raised his head, his voice a mixture of understanding and anger. "Well… I understand now that even rulers suffer."
Suddenly, the energy of darkness erupted from his body, swirling around him like living smoke. "But this…"
He said sharply, "doesn't make me forget everything Umbra has done to me so far."
Hades wasn't bothered. She looked at him steadily. "I didn't tell my brother's story for you to pity him, Saruto. I simply answered your questions."
Saruto shook his head, then said, "But you haven't answered one of my questions."
Hades smiled faintly. "I know. That's why I left it for last."
The atmosphere around them shifted, as if the underworld itself were listening. "The reason there are people with the power of darkness in the underworld... is that the underworld is divided into three."
Saruto eyes widened in surprise. Hades continued, "In every universe ruled by the rulers, there is only one underworld. But in our universe... there are three."
She held up three fingers and added, "The first underworld belongs to the inhabitants of the other kingdoms. The second underworld belongs to the inhabitants of the Dark Realm. The third underworld... belongs to those who possess the power of demons, and is known as the Realm of the 72 Demons."
A shiver ran through Saruto. "Three realms of the dead…"
Hades said, "The reason these three realms exist is Umbra. He ordered me to separate those who possess the power of darkness from the rest of the kingdoms' people, because he believes those with his power should be elevated above others."
She sighed and added, "As for the demon realm… it's also an indirect result of Umbra actions. The power of the demons didn't exist originally, and my brother Shiran didn't possess it. But it appeared when Umbra unleashed the power of darkness into someone who possessed sacred power. The two energies became contaminated, and a new energy was born… the power of the demons."
Saruto thought to himself, "So… it could be said that Emilia carries the power of both Shiran and Umbra."
Hades continued, "And because of the persecution suffered by those who possessed the power of the demons, the Demon King was forced to create a realm of their own."
"So that's why…" Saruto whispered in surprise.
Then, suddenly remembering, he asked anxiously, "Do you know where my friends are? Lucien, Kyle, and Ryan?"
"Yes," Hades replied. "My brother Shiran created three worlds and sent each of your friends to one of them. It seems he wants to train them… just like Umbra is doing with you. But I don't know the real reason."
"That makes a total of Eight worlds," Hades continued, "and if we add the Celestial World, it becomes nine."
She looked at him and asked, "Have I answered all your questions?"
Saruto nodded sincerely and said, "Yes… thank you, Hades."
She smiled and said, "You're welcome. Now… it's time for your training. Are you ready?"
Saruto hesitated for a moment, then a confident smile spread across his face. Dark energy blazed around him, thick and powerful, and he said firmly, "Yes… let's begin."