The severed head in Melancholy's grip stirred. A chill swept the chamber as its lips twitched, then moved.
"Don't worry," the girl's head said in a hollow yet strangely clear voice. "I was from the Auran Covenant. My name was Yuren. I came here to bribe King Melancholy… to bribe him for Michi and the door piece."
The voice rattled the group like thunder. Julia's hands shook, her notebook nearly slipping. Junia's knees buckled, and Tieu clutched her arm tighter.
Yuren's lifeless eyes rolled toward Michi. "But he eliminated me before I could try anything. Now I can only talk like this. If he opens his own mouth…" The head paused, her voice trembling. "…despair will bestow upon you all."
Makoa and Vixor immediately fell to their knees, foreheads pressing to the cold marble floor. Their voices rang in unison. "All hail His Majesty, the King of Despair."
The four Horsemen—Dr. Death, Nutcracker, Darling Tragedy, and Lady Despair—bowed silently, their dark cloaks and veils shifting like shadows.
Hesitantly, the rest followed. Junia and Tieu bent forward, trembling. Kael sighed deeply but lowered his head anyway. Even Julia and Eric, though still shocked, followed suit, whispering prayers under their breath.
Melancholy's pale face turned toward Michi. His black eyes glimmered with an ancient sadness. "Michi. Ah, we finally meet… after so long a time."
Michi raised his head slowly, staring straight into that abyssal gaze. "You… you know me?"
The King gave a small, almost sorrowful smile. "Before you say anything, let me reveal a truth. I was the Reverent of Despair once. But I left that position ten thousand years ago. I built this kingdom for one purpose: to defend this planet against Fengxi."
The words struck like lightning. Michi staggered back a step, his hand trembling over the hilt of his sword. "Ten… thousand years? And you… you gave it up?!"
Junia gasped. "Michi…"
Tiana's eyes narrowed. "The Reverent of Despair…"
Melancholy's voice deepened, echoing across the chamber. "Yes. And now, I see you standing before me. You, who have already tasted the forbidden edge of despair."
Michi clenched his fists. "This… is too much. It's hard for me to accept… but I have so many questions!"
"I know," Melancholy interrupted softly, raising one pale hand. "And I will try to answer them all. But first… there is something you must face."
He leaned forward slightly. "You once temporarily used the power of Despair as a sin, like the others. That sin gave you the power of the Spear of Despair. Tell me, Michi… will you try to control it properly now, through special training?"
The words froze Michi where he stood. His breath hitched. His hand rose unconsciously to the faint mark on his forehead.
"That power…" Michi whispered. "It saved me back then. But I… I couldn't control it." He lifted his head, eyes burning. "Yes. I want to control it now. More than anything—I need to."
"Good."
Melancholy's eyes closed. The chamber darkened instantly, as though the throne itself swallowed all light. Michi gasped as his body lifted from the ground, his limbs spreading helplessly. Black mist poured from his skin like smoke, rising upward into the vaulted ceiling.
The others cried out—
"Michi!" Junia's voice cracked.
Tieu reached forward, her hand shaking. "What's happening to him?!"
Kael gritted his teeth, fists balled. "Damn it—stop this if it hurts him!"
But Melancholy only extended his hand. The black clouds twisted and condensed above Michi, curling into a vaguely human shape. Two glowing eyes opened in the dark haze, and a deep, inhuman voice hissed.
A dark version of Michi now stood before them, fully formed. His body was a shadow twin—same build, same features, but cloaked in abyss.
"This," Melancholy said, his voice low, "is the manifestation of your despair. He is Umbryel."
The figure stepped forward, its blackened lips curling into a thin smile.
Melancholy's hand moved, and Yuren's severed head flickered faintly. "To grant Umbryel his own soul, I bound Yuren's broken spirit to him. He is now whole."
Everyone froze, horror and confusion written across their faces.
"Umbryel," Melancholy declared, "is you, Michi. He is your despair given flesh. And now… you must let Umbryel devour you if you wish to pass the trials. Are you ready?"
Michi's body trembled in the air. Sweat streamed down his brow. His eyes darted to his friends.
Junia ran forward but Kael held her back. "Michi! You don't have to—"
Lior stepped closer, his voice steady. "Michi, think carefully. Is this what you want?"
Tieu whispered, her eyes shining with tears. "Please… don't lose yourself…"
Tiana, though stern, softened for once. "If you truly want this power, then don't falter. Show us that you're ready."
Vixor bit his lip, clutching his books. "Master Michi… p-please… be strong."
Even Eric and Julia exchanged glances, their teasing gone. Julia's voice trembled. "We'll record this… but don't you dare die."
Michi looked at all of them—his friends, his companions, his family forged by battles. He drew a slow breath, closing his eyes.
"Yes," he said at last, firm and clear. "I am ready."
The chamber echoed with silence.
Umbryel stepped forward, his form towering. He raised one hand, black as ink, and pressed a finger gently against Michi's forehead. The mark there burned, twisting violently as its color bled away into darkness.
The mark turned fully black.
A low hum shook the room as a sphere of darkness swelled around Michi. A black bubble formed, pulsating like a living heart, slowly enveloping him from head to toe.
Junia screamed, struggling against Kael's grip. "Michi!!"
The bubble closed entirely, its surface smooth and opaque, swallowing Michi whole. Only the faint echo of his voice lingered inside—
"I'm ready…"
And then, silence.