The battlefield stood silent beneath a crimson sky.
Winds whispered across the torn earth, carrying the scent of ash and steel.
Shadows stretched endlessly, and within that stillness stood three figures—Umbra, Zyra, and Althric—watching as destiny began to unfold before their eyes.
Umbra's voice broke the uneasy quiet.
"Is it truly fine to let them fight on their own?" he asked, his tone low, uncertain. "Should we not help the humans?"
Zyra, her gaze sharp and uneasy, crossed her arms. "I agree… should we really not interfere? What if they can't handle it?"
Althric remained calm, eyes fixed on the horizon. His voice was steady, deliberate.
"We are not the ones who can bring our king back," he said softly. "But they can. And most of all—she is the one who has a chance to do it. The one who can reach him… the king we served."
Umbra frowned. "And what of the beast? He's not acting like himself. He's not destructive or cruel, not in the way he once was."
For a moment, Althric was silent, as though weighing the weight of worlds in his thoughts. Then he spoke.
"You have a point. The way he's reacting… it's different. Only he knows what's made him this way. But for now, let's see what they can do. Let the will of this battlefield decide their fate."
Kuro and Daiki stood together, weapons at the ready, preparing for the inevitable clash. But before they could step forward, Yume raised her hand and stopped them.
"Don't," she said firmly.
Kuro turned sharply, fury flashing in his eyes. "Are you insane? He's far stronger than before! He could destroy the entire army if he wanted to! If you face him alone, you'll die!"
Yume didn't flinch.
"I know that," she said quietly.
Kuro froze, her calm defiance silencing him.
"So be it," she continued, her tone steady. "Strong or not, whatever he's become—it doesn't matter. I wasn't there when I should have been. I broke my promise… and I intend to make it right. I have my own debts to settle with him."
Daiki looked at her—really looked—and saw that nothing would change her mind. Determination burned in her eyes like a second sun.
He placed a hand on Kuro's shoulder. "Mr. Kuro… let her fight him."
"But Da—"
"She'll be fine," Daiki said, his voice firm but filled with faith. "Believe in her."
After a tense silence, Kuro sighed and stepped back.
"…All right. Do it your way."
Yume nodded once and walked toward the battlefield, her steps slow but unwavering. Kuro and Daiki moved up to stand beside Althric as Umbra approached them with a faint smile.
"Hello," Umbra said, raising a hand in greeting. "I am Umbra—one of the generals of our king's army."
Kuro turned to him, returning the gesture with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Umbra. I'm Kuro—your king's master—and this is Daiki. We're generals of the Shadow Army."
Umbra tilted his head. "The Shadow Army? Isn't Althric one of the Shadow Generals?"
Kuro nodded. "Yes, he is. But he serves directly under Ren's command. We serve under the command of the Nine Kings… Ren included. After all, he is the Ninth King."
Umbra's eyes widened. "So you're like us."
"Exactly," Kuro said. "Different paths—same throne."
Meanwhile, on the ground below, Yume and the beast stood face to face.
The wind carried silence between them. The air was thick with unspoken memory.
The beast's voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"Won't you take help from them, human?"
Yume's eyes narrowed. "That's all right. I can take care of you myself."
"Is that so?" the beast growled. "Then don't waste my time."
"Agreed," Yume replied, dropping into her stance. "Let's finish this."
The battlefield fell silent—so silent that only the whisper of the waves could be heard echoing through the ruins. Then, with a deep breath, Yume whispered:
"So… let's begin."
In an instant, she vanished—her body flashing forward faster than the eye could see. Just as she was about to strike, the air itself seemed to warp.
Time slowed. Every heartbeat dragged into eternity.
A voice brushed against her ear—cold and mocking.
"Fast," the beast murmured, "but not fast enough to catch me."
In the next blink, he was gone. Yume's blade cut only air.
Up above, Zyra gasped. "Who is she…? How is she moving like that?"
Kuro grinned faintly. "Oh, her? She's the Third General of the Shadow Army."
"No, that's not what I mean!" Zyra stammered. "How can she move so fast? Even I can't see her—and I'm faster than the King of Thunder himself!"
Yume spun, searching for her opponent, and saw the beast standing perfectly still, his calm gaze fixed upon her.
But instead of fear, Yume smiled.
"So, you're faster now," she said softly. "But speed alone won't save you."
The beast's eyes narrowed.
"Show me, then."
Yume's aura exploded—dark, radiant energy surging outward as her power exceeded every limit she had ever known. The shadows around her trembled and then fused, shaping her body into a new form—something divine, something terrible.
Kuro and Daiki could only stare.
"When… when did she learn to do that?" Daiki whispered.
"She… she's ascended," Kuro murmured in disbelief. "She's become a Shadow General."
The beast smirked, raising his katana.
"So, you've exceeded your limits. I didn't think I'd need this form against you, but… very well. Let's end this quickly."
They clashed.
The sound of their blades split the air like thunder. Each strike was faster, sharper, heavier. Sparks burst across the field, the ground cratering beneath their feet. They moved too fast for any mortal eye to follow—two storms colliding in the dark.
"Impressive!" the beast roared, locking blades with her. "You've gained my sympathy, Yume Akegami! Now—let the show begin!"
He broke away and drew his blade back. "Come at me!"
Yume's eyes glowed crimson. "Gladly."
They blurred and vanished again, their strikes echoing in every direction.
Kuro and the others could only watch flashes of light, explosions of energy ripping through the battlefield like comets.
Yume's strength grew with every clash. Her power rose to match his, blow for blow. The beast's face twisted from amusement to disbelief.
"How… how are you matching me?!" he shouted. "This is impossible for a human!"
Yume's smile was calm, fearless. "What's wrong? Is it making you scared?"
The beast roared in fury, shadows bursting from his body. He dropped his weapon, lunged forward, and struck. His fist slammed into Yume's stomach—once, twice, relentlessly. She flew backward, blood splattering across the ground. Before she could recover, he flashed again, grabbed her head mid-air, and slammed her into the earth. The ground shattered beneath her.
For a long moment, silence followed.
Kuro, Daiki, Umbra, and Zyra stared in horror.
"…Is she… all right?" Daiki whispered.
The beast stood above her, breathing heavily. "That little brat's finished… isn't she?"
Then—something changed.
Inside Yume's broken body, her pulse began to thunder. Her heart pounded faster, louder. Shadows coiled around her like living fire. Her wounds closed, her aura roared to life.
She rose—slowly, shakily—but unbroken.
Her eyes glowed like twin blue-crimson suns. Blood trickled from her forehead, her lips—but her expression was calm. Her hand tightened around her blade.
The beast took a step back, unease flickering in his eyes.
"Who… are you?" he demanded.
Yume staggered, breath ragged, blood dripping from her hands. But in her gaze—there was no surrender.
She lifted her hand toward the heavens, the sky above choked in darkness.
Her voice trembled at first, barely a whisper.
"Do you know, Monarch… what it means to break—and still stand?
To scream… and still be silent?
To be forgotten… and yet refuse to die?"
Every word burned her lungs, but her tone deepened, gaining strength with each syllable.
"You call yourself dread. Eternal. Absolute.
But I have walked far beyond fear.
I have swallowed prayers that no god ever answered.
I have buried every heartbeat that begged me to stop."
The beast froze, his eyes narrowing.
Light flickered at Yume's fingertips—tiny sparks, heavy with sorrow and fury.
"Yes… I have shattered.
Yes… I have been broken.
But from every ruin inside me—something greater was born."
She lowered her gaze, silver eyes blazing.
"I do not rise for salvation.
I do not rise for hope.
I rise because I must.
Because if even I surrender… then who remains to defy you?"
The winds howled, tearing through the battlefield. The ground cracked beneath her feet, symbols igniting beneath her boots like ancient runes.
She spread her arms, her voice echoing through heaven and shadow alike.
"Oath of the Fallen Star…
Covenant of the Silent Heavens…
Litany of the Last Light…"
Flames of celestial fire spiraled around her arm, engraving sacred markings into her skin. The light intensified until even the darkness recoiled.
Yume roared, her voice divine and unyielding:
"Bear witness, Monarch—this is my vow, forged in every tear never seen!"
The sky split open with a deafening crack.
Wings of blazing judgment erupted from her back—radiant and endless, piercing through the night like the dawn of creation itself.
Yume's voice thundered across the battlefield:
"SERAPHIC ASCENDANCE!"
"I do not ascend to be holy—
I ascend… to judge!"
The blast of light consumed the field. Shadows were pushed back. Every eye turned toward her—the generals, the beast, even the sky seemed to bow.
For the first time, the Dread Monarch did not move. His hand trembled. His eyes widened—not in rage, but in remembrance.
"This… power… again…?" he muttered. "No… that cannot be mortal. That is… the power of the kings."
His grip on his blade tightened. His shadows wavered, trembling as if recognizing something ancient.
Because he knew—
something within her had awakened.
Something that even he was not ready to see.
And for the first time… the Dread Monarch felt fear.