"The feeling of flying… it's truly wonderful!"
After running for so long, the old man could finally soar through the skies again.
Though it was only with the help of a flying device, he was still thrilled.
At last, no more running!
"Well then, I'll head off first!"
"You're welcome to visit my temple as my guests."
As he spoke, the old man's tone suddenly became mysterious and lofty.
Yu Zhou raised an eyebrow, watching the man's abrupt change in demeanour.
Was this guy… schizophrenic?
"By the way, mind your speed," Yu Zhou started to warn him. "If you go too fast, you might lose balance and—"
Before he could finish, the old man let out a loud "Wuhuu!" and shot into the air—
only to wobble, lose control, and tumble straight off the flying device.
Yu Zhou: "…"
With a sigh, Yu Zhou switched to high-speed mode, skilfully manoeuvring his own flyer down into the abyss below.
Moments later, he reappeared, hauling the old man back onto his hovering platform.
"Young man, seems you've still got some decency in you," the old man said, brushing himself off. "Well then, I'll be off."
Watching the old man drift away, Yu Zhou shook his head.
If that was what the King of Darkness looked like… was this so-called war between light and dark even worth worrying about?
Then again, it wasn't truly a "Light vs. Dark" war yet.
The Earth Defence Force—the so-called Light faction—didn't even have a Giant of Light among them right now.
The real Light and Darkness War only begins when the Giant of Light faces the Giant of Darkness.
And as far as Yu Zhou knew, he was the only Dark Giant around.
So… who exactly was he supposed to fight?
Pushing the thought aside, Yu Zhou returned to his ship and had the onboard AI follow the old man's trail.
The abyss stretched endlessly below them, shrouded in grey mist.
The old man's flying platform emitted a faint blue glow, and Yu Zhou's ship used that light as a beacon, tailing closely behind.
"This place… is terrifying," Achilles muttered, peering out the window into the murky chaos.
"If we fall from here, there's no way we'd survive."
"Don't worry," Yu Zhou reassured him. "We're not falling."
Still, this abyss looked eerily familiar—exactly like the one he'd seen when he first entered the Dark Realm.
A thick, lifeless fog… yet from time to time, winged dark beasts would emerge from the void, screeching before disappearing again.
The worst part was the bottom—it seemed endless.
If someone fell, they might never stop falling.
"Tiga, look ahead," Camearra suddenly said, tugging Yu Zhou's arm.
Yu Zhou turned and looked forward—his eyes widening.
There, faintly visible through the grey haze, was a grand, obsidian palace rising from the depths of chaos.
"So that's it… the temple of the King of Darkness."
Yu Zhou's voice was low, filled with awe.
"The King of Darkness? Wait, Tiga," Hudra blinked in confusion, "didn't you say that old man was the King of Darkness?"
"Have you ever seen the King of Darkness run home?" Yu Zhou said dryly, staring at the old man wobbling ahead.
Hudra scratched his head. "Now that you mention it… yeah, that doesn't sound right."
If the King of Darkness was so powerful, why would he run everywhere?
Why would he need Tiga's flying device just to stay in the air?
And why did he look like such a creepy, shrivelled old man?
"He's probably just an avatar—a fragment of the real King's power," Yu Zhou explained.
"Avatars can't restore their full energy because they're separated from the original being."
"So, it's just a clone," Achilles said, nodding in understanding. "But didn't you say you only managed to fight him to a draw?"
"And that his strength might even surpass yours?"
"Yeah," Yu Zhou admitted grimly. "That's why, once we reach the temple, you all wait outside. I'll go in alone."
"The King of Darkness must be incredibly powerful. Who knows what might happen inside?"
"No!" Camearra's voice was sharp, full of worry. "Tiga, you can't go alone!"
"It's alright, Camearra."
Yu Zhou gave her a reassuring smile, sensing the anxiety behind her anger.
"I'm just going to say hello. If things go wrong—or I can't win—I'll retreat. I promise."
His calm confidence eased everyone's nerves a little.
Still, none of them liked the idea of letting him face danger alone.
"The King of Darkness may be strong…" Yu Zhou said, glancing toward the growing silhouette of the temple ahead,
"…but I, Tiga, am not weak either!"
Boasting cost nothing—and if it helped calm his allies, why not?
Yu Zhou hadn't expected to find the King of Darkness's location so soon.
He'd planned to explore the Dark Realm thoroughly before making any real move.
That's why he'd brought Camearra and the others—it was safe enough, with most beasts too weak to threaten them.
But now, the sudden appearance of the old man—and the chance to locate the source of darkness—was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.
He had to go.
There might never be another chance like this.
Still, Camearra and the others' safety came first.
"Camearra, take this," Yu Zhou said after a pause, handing her his spatial bracelet.
"It has all the emergency tools and equipment. If anything happens before I return, use whatever's inside."
"Tiga… I'll wait for you. No matter what," Camearra said, clutching the bracelet tightly.
"Tiga! If anything happens to you, my brother and I will rush in to save you!"
Darramb pounded his chest proudly—only to get smacked on the head by Hudra.
"Don't say that! But still—if you do need us, just call!" Hudra added earnestly.
"If you make it out alive, you'll be my big brother!" Darramb declared.
"Mine too!" Hudra agreed without hesitation.
Yu Zhou couldn't help but smile. The two dark warriors might be rough around the edges, but they were loyal to the core.
"Tiga," Achilles said solemnly, "if you can defeat the darkness and bring light back to this land, I, Achilles, will follow you forever."
"As will I!" Herau added beside him.
Both of them knew—the being inside that temple was the very cause of the darkness devouring their world.
"To protect this land is our duty," Achilles said firmly. "If you need us, we'll fight with you."
"..."
Yu Zhou looked around at everyone, stunned.
Why did this sound like a farewell speech before a suicide mission?
"I'm not going off to die, you know…" he muttered helplessly.