Night faded into morning…
and morning dissolved back into night once more.
Time seemed to move strangely around the Daizen Mansion, as though the world itself was holding its breath.
Ren and Yume had not returned.
Nearly two full days had passed since they departed, yet no sign—no message, no shadow signal—had reached the mansion. Anxiety lingered like a thick fog, heavy enough to make every breath feel deliberate.
Daiki, Kuro, Arden, and Haru stood together in the open courtyard, the cold night wind brushing past them. No one spoke for a long moment. Words felt dangerous—like saying them aloud might invite disaster.
Haru finally broke the silence, his voice low but tense.
"Mr. Kuro… do you have any idea when they'll return?"
Kuro did not answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on the dark sky above, searching for something only he could sense. Slowly, he exhaled.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But I hope… truly hope… nothing ill has happened to them."
Daiki folded his arms, trying to steady himself. "Mr. Ren would still be explaining the incident in the Realm of Wings to the Eight Kings," he said. "That kind of meeting doesn't end quickly."
Even as he spoke, doubt crept into his voice. The Eight Kings were not beings to be kept waiting—or reasoned with easily.
Suddenly, the air changed.
A chill crawled across the ground as shadows began to stir unnaturally, coiling and wrapping around the space before them. The darkness thickened, forming a familiar presence.
Arden's eyes widened.
"Shadow transit…!"
From within the shifting darkness, two figures emerged.
Ren and Yume.
They stepped forward calmly, yet something about Ren's expression caught everyone's attention. His face was composed—but beneath that calm rested a quiet terror, softened by relief. The look of someone who had stood before gods… and survived.
"Ren!"
"Yume!"
Kuro called out first, and the others rushed toward them.
Arden reached Yume, breathing heavily as if he had been running for hours. "H—How are you?" he asked urgently. "Did anything happen? Are you alright? What about the Eight Kings?"
Kuro turned to Ren, his gaze sharp yet filled with concern.
"Did something occur between you and the kings?"
Ren shook his head. "No. Nothing happened between me and the kings."
Kuro nodded slowly, relief flickering across his face. Then he turned to Yume.
"And you? What happened to you?"
Yume paused for a moment before answering, then smiled faintly—an expression tinged with confusion.
"Nothing happened to me," she said softly. "I was… just standing there, listening to their conversation."
Hearing that, Ren suddenly stiffened.
I forgot…
His brows furrowed as realization struck him. This was something he had meant to say earlier—something important.
"Master," Ren spoke hesitantly, stepping forward. "I—I forgot to discuss something regarding Yume's future."
Haru's expression sharpened instantly.
"What do you mean by that, Ren?"
Ren inhaled deeply. "As you know… Yume is the Third General of the Shadow Army." His voice grew firm. "But I believe she is no longer suited for that role."
The words landed heavily.
Arden froze, stunned, his mouth slightly open. Before he could respond, Kuro raised a hand, stopping him.
"Speak freely, Ren," Kuro said. "Tell us what's on your mind."
Ren nodded. "Yume has awakened a power far greater than that of a general." His eyes shifted toward her. "The power of wings."
Everyone stiffened.
"Her growth is exponential," Ren continued. "In the coming battles, we will need the full might of her wings. But at the same time… the Third General's role—commanding the vast Shadow Army—will still be essential."
Silence followed.
Arden finally spoke, his voice low and cautious.
"Queen… of Wings?"
He turned toward Yume. "What does he mean, Ninth King?"
Yume met Arden's gaze. "You'll learn the full story later," she said calmly. "For now… just know that I possess another power. It's called the Power of Wings."
Ren continued, "She hasn't fully mastered it yet. At that time, war was already upon us." His fists clenched slightly. "But now… greater threats are coming."
"Greater threats?" Haru asked sharply.
"Yes," Ren replied. "I don't yet know their shape or name. But one thing is clear—we must grow stronger." His voice hardened. "Strong enough to use our power at its absolute limit."
Kuro stepped forward then, placing a steady hand on both Ren's and Yume's shoulders.
"I understand," he said quietly. "For now, let's return home. Our families are waiting."
No one argued.
They turned back toward the mansion, exhaustion finally catching up to them.
As Ren and Yume followed, Kuro suddenly stopped them.
"Both of you," he said. "We'll speak later." His eyes locked onto Ren. "And Ren… tell me everything the Eight Kings said about the Sigil Incident."
Ren nodded. "Alright, Master."
The great hall was lit softly, lanterns casting long shadows across the wooden floor. Everyone sat awake despite the late hour.
"It's already midnight…" on of the guest murmured. "And they still haven't returned."
Yume's mother clutched her hands tightly, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"My sweet Yume… where has she gone?"
Her husband wrapped an arm around her. "My dear," he said gently, "the Ninth King will protect her. He will bring her back."
Elsewhere, Tatsuya tugged lightly at his mother's sleeve.
"Mom… when will big brother come back?"
She smiled softly, though worry weighed heavily in her heart.
"Soon," she said. "I know he will."
Near the wall, Zenkai stood beside his wife Sumire, Takuma asleep in his arms.
"Sumire," he whispered, "take Takuma inside. You should rest too."
She shook her head. "No. I'll wait." She looked toward the door. "When Ren comes back… then I'll rest."
The children eventually fell asleep, but the elders—and members of the Second and Fourth Clans—remained awake.
"The Ninth King has been gone nearly two days…" someone whispered.
"Do you think—"
"Don't say it," another interrupted. "Mr. Kuro and the successors haven't said anything. They must be safe."
Suddenly—
The main doors opened.
Everyone stood at once.
Daiki, Haru, and Arden stepped inside.
"What happened?!"
"Is the Ninth King alright?!"
"And Miss Yume?!"
Daiki raised his voice.
"About that… both Mr. Ren and Miss Yume have returned safely."
Footsteps echoed behind them.
A sudden chill swept through the hall.
Ren, Yume, and Kuro entered.
Joy exploded through the room.
For a heartbeat, the hall was frozen in silence.
Then—
Relief swept through the room like a tidal wave.
Murmurs of gratitude, gasps of disbelief, and soft prayers filled the air. Faces that had been etched with worry finally loosened, shoulders sagging as tension drained away.
"They're safe…"
"They're really back…"
Yume's parents were the first to move.
Her mother rushed forward, tears spilling freely as she wrapped Yume in a tight embrace. "You're safe… you're safe…" she repeated, her voice trembling as if afraid the moment might vanish if she let go.
Yume froze for a second—then slowly returned the hug.
"I'm home," she whispered.
Her father stood beside them, one hand resting on Yume's shoulder, his eyes closed in silent thanks.
Ren stood just a step away, watching the scene quietly.
A warmth spread through his chest—gentle, almost fragile. Seeing Yume reunited with her family stirred something deep within him. Relief. Gratitude. And something else he didn't have words for yet.
This… this is what I fought for, Ren thought. So they could smile again.
Kuro noticed.
He stepped beside Ren and placed a hand on his shoulder—not as a king, not as a master, but as a grandfather.
"Thank you," Kuro said quietly. "For protecting my granddaughter."
Ren immediately bowed his head. "Master… it was my duty." He hesitated, then added honestly, "To protect those you love—and those I love as well."
Kuro's eyes softened. "You've grown, Ren."
Before Ren could respond—
"REN!"
The shout echoed through the hall.
He barely had time to turn before his mother rushed toward him, pulling him into a fierce embrace.
"My child…" she sobbed. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Ren froze for a fraction of a second—then hugged her back just as tightly.
"I'm fine, Mother," he said gently. "I promise."
Her tears soaked into his clothes, but he didn't mind. In that moment, all the weight he had been carrying—the responsibility, the fear, the silent exhaustion—finally loosened.
Behind her, Zenkai approached, Takuma asleep in his arms. His expression was calm, but his eyes held quiet relief.
Reiha and Tatsuya hurried forward as well.
"Big brother!"
"You're really back!"
They hugged him from both sides, clinging to him like they were afraid he might disappear again.
Ren laughed softly, patting their heads. "I'm not going anywhere."
For a moment, the Ninth King wasn't a king at all.
He was just Ren—son, brother, family.
As the hall slowly settled, voices lowered, and some began guiding the exhausted children back to their rooms. Lanterns flickered softly, casting warm light over tired but relieved faces.
But Tatsuya and Reiha hesitated.
They exchanged a glance, then looked up at Ren.
"Big Brother…" Tatsuya said carefully. "Can we ask you something?"
Ren smiled. "Of course."
Reiha swallowed. "Yesterday… when Mr. Arden challenged you…"
Tatsuya continued, his voice hesitant. "You were different. Your power was… different."
Ren's smile didn't fade—but something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Reiha nodded quickly. "Your presence changed. Your behavior too. It felt like… you weren't the same person who came to the village."
The hall grew quiet again.
A few elders glanced over, suddenly alert.
Ren let out a small chuckle. "Heh."
"You mean when Arden proposed to Yume and all that fuss happened?" he said lightly. "That?"
Both siblings nodded.
Ren waved a hand dismissively. "It was nothing. I just got carried away." He glanced briefly toward Yume. "Yume brought me back to my senses."
The tension snapped.
Tatsuya and Reiha exhaled deeply, shoulders dropping as if they'd been holding their breath for days.
"Haaah…"
"We thought something terrible had happened."
"We were really scared…"
Ren knelt slightly to meet their eyes. "Nothing bad happened. I promise."
He smiled warmly. "Now go get some sleep. It's late—and tomorrow will be busy."
They nodded eagerly. "Alright!"
"Good night, Big Brother!"
As they ran off, Ren watched them go, his smile slowly fading into something more thoughtful.
Different… he thought.
They noticed.
He straightened, his gaze drifting toward the shadows lining the hall—silent, obedient, watching.
So the change isn't just inside me anymore.
Zenkai approached quietly. "You did well," he said simply.
Ren nodded. "Thank you… Father."
Sumire Ren's mother smiled at him, tired but proud. "Come rest soon."
"I will," Ren replied. "After a little while."
He turned to both his parents and bowed his head slightly.
"I'll be in my room. If you need anything… call me."
They nodded, watching as he stepped away.
Ren walked through the corridor alone.
The mansion was quiet now. Too quiet.
Each step echoed softly, shadows trailing behind him like loyal companions. His body felt heavy, exhaustion finally catching up—but his mind refused to rest.
The Eight Kings.
The Realm of Wings.
The Sigil Incident.
And Yume.
Things are changing, he thought. Faster than I expected.
As he was lost in quiet conversation with himself, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. Yume's mother and father stepped into the room. Instinctively, Ren straightened his posture the moment he noticed them.
"Ninth King," they called out in unison.
Before he could react, both of them lowered themselves to the ground and bowed deeply, their foreheads nearly touching the floor.
"Thank you… for bringing our daughter back," Yume's mother said, her voice trembling.
Ren's eyes widened in shock. He stepped forward immediately.
"Please—both of you," he said urgently. "Stop this. You're making me feel ashamed."
"No, Ninth King," Yume's father replied firmly, lifting his head but not rising. "What you have done for us is something we can never repay."
"That's not true," Ren said, cutting him off gently yet resolutely. "You're wrong."
They looked up at him in surprise as Ren continued, his voice steady but heavy with emotion.
"Your daughter helped me when I was abandoned by the world. Back then, I was weak—lost in darkness, ignored by everyone. She reached out to me when no one else did. She showed me the shadows I had been running from… and because of that, I grew stronger."
He clenched his fist lightly at his side.
"And when someone like that needs me—someone more precious to me than my own life—how could I ever turn my back on her?"
Yume's parents slowly rose to their feet, their eyes locked onto Ren's. What they saw there wasn't arrogance or pride, but an unshakable determination. It was clear that if the same choice were placed before him again, he would make it without hesitation.
After a brief silence, Ren bowed deeply toward them in return.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward his room.
He stopped before his door, resting a hand against the wood.
Greater threats are coming…
His grip tightened.
Then I'll be ready.
Ren pushed the door open and stepped inside, the shadows closing behind him.
Outside, the long night had finally ended.
But the storm ahead had only just begun.