Yume's eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, seeing Ren shield her from certain death. Her lips trembled as she whispered weakly,
"Ren… I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you…"
Before she could say more, she collapsed, unconscious from the pain.
Master Kuro, though injured, was not as badly hurt as Yume. Ren carefully laid her beside him, his expression dark and unyielding. With a wave of his hand, a sword forged from pure darkness appeared in his grip.
Zen laughed mockingly.
"What can you do now, Ren? You are nothing. This power doesn't belong to you."
He swung his blade toward Ren, confident in his victory. But to his shock, Ren stopped the strike effortlessly, not even breaking a sweat.
Zen's grin faltered. "Oh? So you stopped that one… but let's see you stop this!"
He raised his hands, gathering energy until it swelled into a devastating blast—one strong enough to wipe out everything within its reach. He released it with a roar.
But before the explosion could touch Ren, it was swallowed whole by a phoenix of shadow and flame.
Zen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"H-how is that possible?! No one has ever dodged or even neutralized that attack! How did you—"
His words cut off as Ren's sword pierced his stomach, leaving him coughing blood.
"You might have stolen my power," Ren said coldly, "but the core still lies with me. You don't even understand how to wield it. Forcing it to the limit only destroys your body."
"Shut up!" Zen roared. "You're nothing but a weakling who never deserved this power! Why would the King choose you?! Hand it over—or I'll take it myself!"
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"This power only chooses those who are worthy. And you… are not."
Zen unleashed a furious flurry of attacks, but not a single strike touched Ren. His fear grew with each failed blow.
"W-what are you?" Zen gasped.
Ren's expression was calm, his voice cold as steel.
"Oh… me?
I am the night that answers to no dawn.
I am the silence that swallows kings and gods alike.
I am the truth hidden within every shadow.
You may resist, you may deny… but in the end—
I am inevitable."
The words chilled Zen to his core. His hands trembled, fear replacing arrogance.
Ren's eyes hardened. "Let's end this. Once and for all."
A massive black sword materialized in his hands, its edge radiating an aura that could sever anything. In one swift motion, Ren's blade cut through Zen, severing his legs and arms.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Zen screamed, writhing in pain, his wounds refusing to heal.
Ren stepped forward, his voice like ice.
"It's over. I've forgiven you twice. But this time… you've gone too far."
Opening his chest, Ren pulled forth the Black Heart.
"Ren… it's me," the Heart spoke, its voice filled with regret. "I was forced into evil. I missed you. Where have you been?"
"Shut up," Ren said firmly. But his tone softened just slightly. "Still… it's good to have you back. Let's put you where you belong."
The Black Heart returned to his body, and instantly, shadows and light swirled around him in harmony.
With one final strike, Ren's sword of darkness fell. Zen's head was severed cleanly, ending his story once and for all.
A shadow appeared, binding itself to Zen's soul.
"You are now released from the evil that bound you against the King," it said solemnly, before bowing and fading into the sky.
Ren exhaled, his body calming as the darkness within him quieted.
"Darkness," he murmured.
"Yes, my King?" the voice of the shadows answered.
"Thank you. For standing with me."
"I am honored to remain at your side."
"Ren…"
The weakened voice made him turn. Master Kuro, bloodied but alive, struggled to sit up.
"Yume… she's badly injured. Can you heal her?"
Ren nodded. "Yes."
He placed his hand over Yume, shadows flowing from his palm. Her pain faded, though she would not wake for some time.
"I'll take her," Ren said softly, lifting her into his arms.
He brought Yume to his home, tending to her wounds and bandaging her injuries. That night, he sat beside her, holding her hand gently.
Her skin was soft, delicate, like a feather. His voice broke as he whispered,
"Yume… I don't want to hide it anymore. I love you. I know I'm not worthy of you, but I want you to stay… with me. Only with me."
Tears slipped from his eyes as he lowered his head.
By morning, Yume stirred awake. The first thing she saw was Ren, asleep at her bedside, still holding her hand. Her heart ached, but a smile spread across her face.
When Ren awoke, relief washed over him. "Yume… you're awake. Thank the gods."
"Let me make us breakfast," he said with a gentle smile. Yume only nodded, her heart racing.
As they sat together at the table, Yume's eyes softened. She finally spoke the words she had carried for so long.
"Ren… there's something I've wanted to tell you. I love you."