Dust still filled the battlefield, and the wind howled between the ruins as if mourning the aftermath of war. Amidst the debris stood Leo, panting, sweat mingling with blood upon his face. Before him, Thron staggered backward, disbelief flooding her eyes. She could not comprehend what she was witnessing — his body glowing with a silvery-blue radiance, his aura shimmering with the essence of all four kingdoms at once.
Blood trickled from Thron's lips as she whispered,
"This… impossible… How can a human body contain all those powers?"
Leo raised his head, his voice calm yet roaring like a storm.
"You said shadows never bow to light… but dawn is born from both."
He darted forward at an inhuman speed and struck her with a blow that shook the earth beneath him. Thron stumbled backward several meters, but he did not stop. His punches rained down like thunder until her body crashed into the ground, the surface cracking open in a massive explosion that unleashed a storm of dust and ashes. Thron screamed once, then fell silent, motionless, as the arena itself quaked under the force.
Leo approached slowly, his eyes glowing with a light that was neither pure nor dark — but a union of both. He raised his hand to deliver the final strike, when suddenly the air around him tore apart. Reality itself split open like a wound of darkness.
Out of the void stepped a tall man draped in a long black robe that brushed the ground. His face was hidden beneath a deep shadow, save for two burning eyes that glowed like embers in endless night. For a moment, time itself seemed to halt. Leo felt the very earth bow beneath the man's presence.
With a single motion of his finger, Thron's body rose into the air, as though lifted by an unseen force. He extended his other hand, and a colossal gate of shadow burst open — a vortex expanding until it swallowed the sky above them.
Then came his voice, deep and ancient, echoing from beyond time itself:
"You have disturbed the Awakener… child of dawn."
His burning gaze turned toward Leo, piercing through him like blades.
"When dawn fully opens its eyes… darkness shall find its path to you."
In an instant, the gate devoured every remaining soldier of Gothrez, drawing Thron into the void before sealing shut with a muffled explosion. The light around Leo faded. His strength drained at once, and he collapsed to the ground unconscious, the stones around him falling as if bowing before him.
⸻
Hours later, the skies above Kraken had finally calmed. Silence reigned over the field that had witnessed the fiercest battle in decades. A royal message from King Diger arrived at the High Council in the capital:
"Leo has driven the armies of Gothrez away from our borders, but he lies unconscious. His power exceeded every known measure. The witnesses say the very earth trembled when he released it."
The High Sage read the letter with a faint smile. His deep voice murmured,
"Excellent… he draws nearer to his true self. The earth itself begins to recognize him."
He lifted his gaze toward the clouded horizon and whispered,
"Their son, without doubt…"
⸻
The scene returned to King Diger's palace. Leo lay upon a wide bed in a quiet chamber, morning light spilling through the glass windows. His breathing was steady, his face calm. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open — and familiar faces appeared before him.
Lita was the first to notice. She rushed to his side, worry written across her face. Drevys stood beside her, wearing a gentle smile, while Sherry stood at the far end of the room, arms crossed, her expression a mix of irritation and relief.
Drevys grinned. "Finally awake, our brave sleeper."
Lita's tone was sharp, yet her eyes betrayed her concern.
"You nearly killed us with worry!"
Sherry scoffed, rolling her eyes. "No, he killed us with the noise. Drevys wouldn't shut up about your so-called 'heroics.'"
Drevys blushed, scratching the back of his neck. A faint laugh escaped Leo despite his exhaustion. "What happened?" he asked hoarsely.
Drevys's smile faded into seriousness.
"That's what we want to ask. You destroyed Thron, Leo — literally shattered her. Then you collapsed after that strange man appeared."
Sherry spoke quietly, her usual arrogance replaced by caution.
"That man wasn't ordinary. His name is Yuta — the right hand of the Awakener. His power is far beyond Thron's."
Leo's tired eyes sharpened. "So, just one of their shadows then… Fine. It seems we'll meet again."
The group exchanged glances. Lita's face softened; her cheeks were slightly flushed. She murmured softly, "What matters is that… you're alive."
Drevys chuckled. "Oh, look who's talking about life and death now."
Sherry grinned wickedly. "You seem more worried about him than anyone else, Lita."
"I was worried about everyone!" she replied quickly, turning away as her cheeks reddened even more.
Their laughter filled the room, dissolving the heavy tension that had hung since the battle.
Then Drevys said with warmth, "Thank you, my friend. If you hadn't stepped in, I'd be ashes now."
Even Sherry nodded sincerely. "If not for you, I'd be a prisoner in Gothrez. Thank you… truly."
Leo smiled faintly. "No need to thank me. What matters now is learning to control what's inside me. That power… I don't even know where it came from."
A brief silence followed, broken only when a guard entered the chamber and announced,
"Prince Leo — His Majesty King Diger requests your presence immediately."
⸻
After an hour of rest, Leo stood before his mirror, dressed in his formal attire. His reflection seemed calmer, yet his eyes shimmered with countless questions. He walked through the palace corridors until he reached the throne hall.
King Diger rose from his seat as Leo entered.
"Thank you, Leo," he said solemnly. "You led this battle with rare courage and spared our kingdom a great darkness. But…"
He paused, studying Leo intently.
"You still cannot control your strength. Therefore, I order you to travel to the border, where the royal troops and ten commanders will be stationed. You will undergo special training — to master your power and uncover its true nature. Drevys will join you for support, and alongside you will be Klaus… and Prince Darin."
At the sound of his name, Darin — standing not far away — clenched his jaw, turning aside as a smirk crept to his lips. "Perfect… I'll finally surpass that fool."
The king's words ended, and Leo bowed respectfully.
"As you command, Your Majesty. I'll depart at dawn."
As he left the hall, memories of the battle and the voice of the man in black echoed in his mind: "You have disturbed the Awakener…"
Leo's eyes darkened with thought.
"What is this power? Where did it come from? And why do I feel it isn't entirely mine…?"
He looked out through the palace window at the faint light of morning stretching across the horizon. Closing his eyes, he whispered with quiet resolve:
"Now… it's time to take control."