"Are you ready, Yume, for the ritual?"
"Yes, Grandfather. I am," Yume replied firmly.
"Then let us begin."
Together, they summoned their Generals — shadows manifesting effortlessly as though they were extensions of their very souls. The two placed their hands upon their Generals and spoke in unison:
"From this moment, we — the Third and Fourth — entrust ourselves to these chosen humans. Our powers now belong to them. They will wield them for good, and they will aid the Ninth King in his destiny to defeat the Shadow Demon."
Meanwhile, far from the ritual, Ren lay broken and bloodied. His body was torn apart from within, every nerve screaming in agony.
The Black Heart spoke within him:
"Your body needs time to recover. Minutes at least. If you don't act, you'll die."
"H-How much power… can my body handle right now?" Ren asked through ragged breaths.
"Not even a single drop more. If you force it, your body will collapse."
"Then give me four percent of your power!"
"My king… if I grant you that, you'll suffer injuries beyond repair."
"Just do it!"
Darkness surged, overtaking his shattered body.
The Dragon Demon sneered as it slammed Ren into the ground. "So this is the so-called king? Pathetic. You're not as powerful as I thought."
Ren's foot was severed, blood pooling around him. The beast loomed above him, gloating.
But then—
A thick, devilish aura appeared beside Ren's broken form. A man cloaked in shadows stood tall.
"And who are you?" the Dragon snarled.
The figure's voice echoed like a nightmare. "Me? I am the King's Servant. And those who dare stand against the King… must die."
In a flash, he vanished. The Dragon's eyes widened as both its hands were severed cleanly.
"W-What?! How?! Moments ago, you couldn't even stand!"
The shadowy servant tilted his head. "You're mistaken. That wasn't me. The King was merely holding back. He wasn't using even five percent of his true power. Now, while he rests… I will finish what he started."
Fear gripped the Dragon's heart. If this is less than five percent… what would happen if the Ninth King unleashed his full power?
"Let's end this once and for all," the shadow declared, leaping toward the monster's head.
"You can't defeat me!" the Dragon roared, gathering a devastating blast of energy.
But darkness was faster. He vanished, reappeared before its face, and forced the blast back into its jaws. The explosion consumed the Dragon from within — its head obliterated, its body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
The Dragon Demon was no more.
Ren's shadow-servant stood victorious. Then, with the battle won, Ren collapsed, unable to move.
"Why… why am I still here?" Ren groaned, hours later, barely conscious.
"Your bones were shattered. They are still repairing themselves."
"So… they're fixed?"
"Mostly. But you still cannot move. If I carry you, your body will suffer further damage."
"Why… why is my body so weak that it can't endure this power?"
"You are not weak, Ren," the Black Heart corrected. "This power is beyond human limits. It takes longer for your body to adapt. That does not make you weak — only impatient. Humans crave instant results. When they fail, they lose hope and give up. But those who endure, those who rise despite being called failures… history remembers them as strong."
Ren's voice trembled. "So… can I become strong, even though the world hates me?"
"Yes. But only if you train, push your limits, and learn to fight with discipline. Today, you surpassed yourself, but recklessness will destroy you. Power must be wielded with purpose."
"Then teach me how to use this power!" Ren roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. "If I am this weak, how can I protect this world… or the girl waiting for me, believing I will return stronger?!" His eyes brimmed with tears.
The Black Heart's tone hardened. "Tears will not make you strong. You must adapt. Remember — you were chosen by the Eight Kings, by the Darkness itself, and even by the First King. That alone proves you are different. When the Black Heart was stolen, you stood against it even knowing you couldn't win. You surpassed your limits then, and you will do it again."
Darkness added, "The power I grant you will not destroy you, for it is part of you. But the Shadow Mana remains unstable. Until the Heart fully merges with you, you cannot wield its full potential."
Ren swallowed. "Then how can I reach fifty percent of your power? How can I truly become one with you?"
"Not yet," the Heart replied. "You are far from ready. Train harder. Train when others sleep. Become the King that even the Eight Kings could not. Surpass the level they failed to reach. You are Ren Akatsuki — the Ninth King of Shadows."
Ren's tears dried. His gaze sharpened with resolve. "You're right… I have to grow stronger on my own. And believe in those who still believe in me."
"Darkness… take me home."
Darkness enveloped his battered body. Though his injuries made every step excruciating, Ren forced himself forward until at last, after hours of struggle, he returned home.
Darkness staggered, exhaling heavily. Yume opened the door.
"Who are you?!" she demanded.
The shadow revealed Ren's face beneath. "The King… is gravely injured. Heal him."
Without hesitation, Yume rushed forward, helping carry Ren inside.
"Heal him, Yume. The King needs you," Darkness whispered before sinking back into Ren's body.
Yume's hands trembled as she examined him. Every bone fractured, organs damaged, body barely clinging to life.
"Oh, Ren…" she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "What happened to you…?"
And then — her eyes widened.
Ren's body began to tremble violently, black veins spreading across his skin. His heartbeat roared unnaturally loud, shaking the room. The shadow aura around him pulsed like it was alive, growing thicker and darker with every beat.
"Th-This aura… it's not stopping. It's consuming him!" Yume cried.
The Black Heart's voice echoed faintly, its tone heavy with dread:
"No… this is impossible. The Ninth King's body… it's awakening too soon."