As Sunlight fades and shadow sings, we welcome the return of the black winged king.
As sunlight streamed through the window of the old castle, young Yohan stirred. Upon opening his eyes, he thought for a moment that he got transported to another realm again. The dark rocky landscape he saw when he first arrived, was now replaced by a still rocky but more tropical setting with a sun in the sky, though the star filled backdrop still existed faintly against the new sunny sky. He watched in amazement as the vision of rolling waves soaring seagulls and even a whale leaping out in the distance all came together. He could even smell the scent of flowers and the salty sea.
The previous night, after seeing Yohan's resolve, something unexpected happened: one of her shackles– more specifically her neck shackle– broke, and with that a huge surge of power erupted between them, an explosion of violet light that left Solaria looking at Yohan in amazement. This further solidified it in her heart that him being here with her was a good thing.
"Than-" But before she could finish her sentence, her eyes rolled up and she fell– but Yohan was able to catch her before she hit the ground with great speed. He was worried at first but soon noticed that she was just sleeping, possibly overwhelmed by the sudden shift, so cradling her gently he put her on the bed she had once laid him on and covered her up. He took a moment to admire her sleeping form. Her pure white lashes formed crescents against her dark cheeks, matching her hair that pooled around her head, against the pillows. Her lips were parted slightly as she slept on and truly… Yohan's chest tightened.
She was a breathtaking beauty. He clenched his fist over his heart. She was an amazing person. It made him all the more determined to free her and make her happy. The release of her neck shackles was proof of that. He could help, and he would. He watched her for a moment longer- then yawned. What time is it? He looked out the nearest window and thought of all the wonders he had experienced so far. Did time even exist here? Still, he was tired. He supposed it's been a long day- or time. He wasn't sure what measure of time to use if he should. He hesitated then glanced at Solaria as she slept on– more specifically, the space next to her. Surely she wouldn't mind if…
He debated with himself for a while longer before he climbed into the space and slid under the sheets, ensuring that he gave her as much space as he could on the bed- except, that didn't quite work out. Solaria had stirred- and came closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist and burying herself into his chest, all while he laid there frozen. Silence stretched for a while before he peeked down at her. She was still fast asleep. Should he pull away? He might wake her if he did… He better not. With that, he resigned himself to be her cuddle partner and his eyes soon began to droop shut. She was really warm…
Now, Yohan almost deliriously wondered if he was back on earth at the sights and smells around them but his thoughts were interrupted by a soft rustle and a yawn. "Good morning Yohan. Did you sleep wel-" She paused as she looked outside, barely able to believe her eyes. It was… Sunlight… It was the first she had seen it in years… Her sensed worked double time to take in all the new stimuli. The heat of the sun she could feel from the bed, the smell of the salty air, the calls of birds and even the echoing song of her favourite animal, the whale. She jumped out of the bed, leaving Yohan to yelp as he was pushed off in her rush…...Solaria hadn't noticed at all
Standing by the window now with tear filled eyes. She didn't hesitate any more and hopped out, her bare feet touching the hot sand that flowed between her toes. She took a moment to bask, to process, to experience. She never thought she would get to experience this anymore. The sights, sounds, feels, smells of her home. The tears flowed faster and she gave a watery laugh of disbelief. It was all here, all real… Excitement overtook her disbelief and she ran atop the water and leapt from tree to tree, taking in the textures of the branches beneath her feet, the wind against her skin, the open skies… She then took to her dragon form and soared high, pounding her wings faster and faster, as if she aimed for the sky. She looked at the sun in all its warmth as it bathed her in its rays and felt her heart soar with her. She stilled her wings, letting herself fall towards the ocean.
She turned over mid fall, watching the vibrant, sparkling blue water rush up towards her and landed with a large splash into its cool depths. Yohan on the other hand, had gathered himself from the ground and was watching her from the window, in awe of their new surroundings at first… Then with genuine happiness at her excitement. She looked so happy… He rested his chin in his palm as he smiled. He didn't blame her. The place as it was before was mesmerizing and breathtaking with its mystical skies… But seeing all of this too made him feel so relieved and happy. He watched as the large head of her dragon form surfaced from the water, releasing sounds akin to laughter. He wanted to experience this with her. With that, he climbed up on the window to hop out- but paused, looking down at the distance to the sandy beach and worried for a moment of injuring himself.
It hit him then, that despite this place looking like Earth, he had already died and now had some strange abilities himself. He looked at his palm and saw a ripple of blue energy in his hand that soon stilled and coalesced into a ball. He then clenched is fist and it disappeared before he looked out again. Might as well go for it. He jumped out and landed safely at the edge of the beach, the cool sea water lapping at his toes. He blinked then looked up and back at the castle. He must have jumped like 30ft! A triumphant yet distorted grin breaks across his face in his excitement. "Holy shit! I did that!" He then waded into the water marveling at how cool it was despite the heat of the sun. Solaria heard the disturbance in the water and looked towards him before she swam over. He yelped once she lifted him out of the water by her snout, tossing him high up in the air before he yelled as he fell with a loud splash. He resurfaced to find Solaria chortling at him in her dragon form and he huffed in amusement while pushing his hair out of his face.
"No fair! That felt like falling off a mountain!" He laughed up at her as he splashed some water in her direction- only to startle when that splash turned out much bigger than he expected, sending a wall of water to wash over Solaria's face.
There was a moment of silence as they both just looked at each other, Yohan himself more startled that he was able to do something like that. Solaria narrowed her eyes with a low but playful growl and Yohan paled. "Wait, wait wait-" Too late. Solaria had sent a huge tidal wave in his direction with her tail, knocking him away instantly and making him wash up on the beach face down. He lifted his head, spitting out sand and sea water before he grinned, looking back at her. "Ok, let's do this then." The next few hours were spent playing in the sand and water, sending tidal force waves at each other and huge clumps of wet sand.
"Hey… Why does everything look so different now when last night everything was so… Gloomy?" Asked Yohan as he handed Solaria a sandwich he just made. "It appears I got some of my power back. Originally each shackle was meant to siphon my powers, but last night when you said you'd stay, the shackle broke and some of my strength returned." She gave a smile that was full of hope. With tears still welling up in her eyes, she continued. "I used to be able to manipulate matter. The things I dreamt would be brought into reality, but I haven't slept in millennia. Last night was the first time in a while I felt safe enough to sleep, to dream again… The sand and sea, it was my favourite place to be when I was a child, and now I can finally see places like this again. Now with some of my powers back I think I've gained some sort of control over the black zone." Solaria waved her hand and the skies shifted back to its original state, the desolate wasteland full of black stones, with another wave the blue sky and seas were brought back. It seemed that being there for so long had changed her somehow. After all, despite this place being her prison, she had gained the ability to manipulate its insides a bit. While the rest of her shackles restricted her from physically leaving the black zone, she has gained some form of freedom again.
Looking over at Yohan as he bit thoughtfully into his sandwich, she couldn't help but feel grateful. In a twist of fate, she was able to regain some of herself that she was sure, was lost long ago. Whether it was luck or some sort of intervention, he was here and in that short span of time; has made her happier than she had been in a very long time. He reminded her so much of her husband passed, and found herself almost calling him by his name so many times during their play. She had no idea if he was really Aurelius returned to life, even with all evidence so far pointing to that conclusion. She decided to not focus on that, as he was here and he was with her and that was all that mattered. But right now, more than anything, she needed to keep him safe. Ventris must have been alerted when her shackle broke and would soon send apostles to investigate– if they weren't already on their way. She would need to train him so he can fight for himself against an apostle– or maybe try to send him to the Asiah. Yohan looked over at her and noticed then that her smiling face had become saddened. "What's wrong? Is there an enemy nearby or something?" He asked while looking around worryingly.
Solaria got up then, her hair covering her expression. "No, but they will come now that a shackle has been broken. They must have felt that and sent someone to investigate. You won't be able to fight an apostle in your current state so I will need to train you. Follow me." And with that the vibrant beach scenery had glitched back to a desolate wasteland. She headed in the direction of the castle and as they walked for a bit they came upon a deep crater. In the center was a mound of glowing rocks. The same liquid blue energy he had absorbed before was present in these stones in high concentration. He could feel it, and the closer he got, the more the pressure of the energy weighed down on him. Despite that, somehow it felt welcoming. As he stepped closer, the energy seemed to follow him, as they neared the rocks it seemed that it wasn't a mound at all but a grave made of the glowing stones shaped like a flat topped pyramid. Standing at about 4 feet tall and 6 feet long, the structure had a powerful but eerie feel to it, Solaria placed her hand on the grave and with somber eyes looked back at Yohan. "This…is where you– he died." She cleared her throat as Yohan looked at her curiously.. "You know, for the eons I have been here in this place, I have never been as happy as I have been today. Thank you for that, but I believe it will only get more dangerous for you from here on out. I will have to train you because they will come for you, and they will not ask questions or hesitate. They will kill you. So if you want to survive and keep your promise, you will need to be strong enough. That's why I brought you here."
"When we first met, you seemed to be radiating something; a sort of energy I found familiar. That energy, I discovered, is the same as the energy here. His body had never moved from where he fell, his blood soaked into the earth here, bonding with it to form these rocks, but look." She gestured to the rocks as they glowed and sparked blue, a faint amount of said glow flowing towards him, disappearing into his body. "Even now in your presence, the energy runs to you like it found a new home. Whatever it may be, I think you can use his power, but you'll have to absorb it all in one go and, being honest, it might destroy you. Still, I believe this is the fastest and more efficient way for you to get stronger. I'll even help regulate the energy as you absorb it. It'll be dangerous but I'll be here with you the whole way!" She looked at him with such bright eyes and a confident grin, he couldn't help but smile. She had such a sense of "I can do it, I'm stwong" about her. He resisted snickering at the thought.
He knew that she was right though. He would be in danger, and if he was going to keep his promise to her, he needed to be much, much stronger. He also kinda wanted to see just how strong he could get and maybe live out a daring adventure like he always read about but that was more secondary in the face of things. His mind raced excitedly though, at the ideas of how he could apply his abilities, as well as to consider what new abilities he might gain by doing this. More than anything however, the possibility of freeing Solaria made eagerness burn hopefully in his chest. He looked at the center of the crater, the grave of the fallen king and rested his hand on it. He then recalled the feeling when he had first absorbed the energy from the rocks, trying to recreate the action. He closed his eyes and once he felt the energy beginning to move more strongly, and he welcomed the energy into him– But just then an explosion erupted from the crater, hurdling Yohan away and into the wall of the crater. His vision swam and his ears rang as he tried to gather himself over the sudden shock, just barely hearing Solaria's yell of his name over it all. He struggled for his next breath, realising now that all the wind got knocked out of him, replaced with blood that sprayed from his mouth and nose. He coughed and struggled for his next breath from the deep indentation in the perfect shape of his body he was stuck in. A low growl sounded through the cloud of dust and debris that was kicked up from the explosion and both Yohan and Solaria who was now distracted from her route to Yohan to check on him, noticed a pair of white eyes that shone through the cloud of dust. Solaria furrowed her brows, confused by what that being was and why it felt and looked so… Familiar. In the blink of an eye, they had disappeared as if they never were, but Solaria had quickly swung her hand heavily, kicking up a great wind that blew the dust away and cleared the scene before her. What they both saw next, sent a shiver down Yohan's spine.
At first, Solaria had thought that the energy had simply– and violently– rejected him, which didn't seem to make sense when he had some of that power that thrived inside him. She had then thought it had simply been too much for him to handle, which was more plausible… But now? She looked on wide eyed at the bipedal figure that moved from the center of the crater, towards Yohan who was still stuck to the side, then simply stood over where he was. A sort of chill went down her spine– but not in an unpleasant sense. Tears filled her eyes at the hauntingly familiar form. "Aure?" Yohan on the other hand, was shaken, staring up at the tall, blue, semi-translucent glowing humanoid that towered before him. With great, draconic wings spread wide on his back and sinister horns that sat atop his head. The great king Solaria had told him about now stood before him, brimming with killing intent and malice. It was clear now that what stood before them both, was Aurelius– or better put, a fragment of him, made of the same blue energy from the grave, in the same form he took during his final stand. His face was featureless, save for his burning white eyes that looked at Yohan with an almost hateful edge. Now that he finally comprehended that he was in danger, he peeled himself out of the indent he made to the crater wall, preferring to not be stuck there while facing such a fierce and very angry looking corporeal half dragon, half human.
In the figure's eyes, Yohan was Zervas; an old, dear friend turned enemy that was yet again threatening his beloved. He glanced at her, seeing her shock and painfully still, seeing her shackled still like a beast. The collar was gone, which he was relieved for, but it hardly made a difference. This shadow of Aurelius was manifested from the deep sorrow and regret that was left behind when he died, now brought back into existence due to sensing another powerful soul that shared immense power, or perhaps a great potential. What served to further aggravate the fragment, was the sensation of being absorbed. It sent it into shock. Back then, when Aurelius died it was instant. When he had reincarnated, he tried time and time again to find Solaria, to free his love from this wretched place. But each time he had come back– or even started to manifest memories of his past, Ventris would find him and take him to Solaria, then kill him in front of her, each and every time. Each time, the sight of Solaria's tears wore on his soul more and more. The guilt and anger of not being strong enough to help her, to do anything else than to be killed and to be a continuous source of anguish for her broke him as he was left in an endless cycle time and time again. Reincarnated, just to die in front of her again. His soul had gone through an untold number of lives, withstanding the endless torture, until his soul was fragmented and frayed.
He could vaguely sense something from the soul standing before him but he hadn't the time to think on that, not when his anger was still raw, along with feeling that he was being absorbed. It all had coalesced and sparked his memories, calling him to manifest himself and to take this form to fight off the invader. The only memory he had of himself was of the final battle and because of that, he saw Yohan as Zervas, the last enemy he fought before he died. Yohan on the other hand soon realized that he couldn't just stand there and do nothing. He glanced at Solaria as she stared at the dragonoid with wide, tearfilled eyes- then snapped his attention back to the dragon again once it growled fiercely at him. He couldn't rely on Solaria right now, not when she was shaken like this at the sight of him. Something told him that to run was futile– and well, running didn't stick well with him. So he only had one other option: Fight.
Seeming to sense this, the corporeal dragonoid gave a resounding roar before he lunged at the boy with killing intent; his claws sharp like curved daggers and his feet breaking the ground beneath him like a beast prepared to kill.
"Waitwaitwait-" Panic made him falter- and he was rewarded with a solid punch to the jaw, the impact sending him soaring faster than Solaria does when she's excited, leaving him to slam into the ground then roll to a harsh stop some distance away.
Far away from the battlefield high on a cliff a figure cloaked in black watched the battle unfolding in front of him, a powerful wind blew the hood off his head and his long white hair with light green tips flowed around his shoulders, the vision of his friend reduced to nothing more than a rage filled spirit brought him great pain but all he could do was watch, after all he was the only apostle that could enter the black zone undetected. He watched as the remnant of his friend's soul went into battle with his newest incarnation, knowing that this would be his first test of many, this one being to defeat his old self and grow. "Good luck old friend." He said quietly as he looked on.
Yohan on the other hand was running for his life. "SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!". He yelled as he ran up the wall of a crater dodging huge blasts of energy, each one evaporating the rocks they hit behind him leaving behind a burnt out hole. Even with his new powers and the small boost from what he absorbed when he first arrived, he was still no match for the old king, at best all he could do at this point was dodge and run but he knew he couldn't run forever and he would have to fight back. As he ran, he was reminded of scenes he used to read in manga; the main character fighting the spirit of the person they absorbed power from, having to beat them in battle before claiming the great power they held, but reading and being in an actual death match are two different things. He was scared and rightfully so. The other day he was a normal human and now he was involved in a battle of gods. He steeled himself and started preparation for a plan. He wasn't confident he could beat him hand to hand and in the barren wasteland of the black zone, he had nowhere to hide, making him an easier target. With that disadvantage in mind he changed course and headed towards the castle where hopefully, he could lose the spirit and buy some time to plan a fighting strategy.
He gathered his energy, spreading it to his heart and feet in an attempt to empower himself. With a great boost of speed, he ran then slammed himself feet first into a boulder, the impact kicking up a huge cloud of dust to act as a smokescreen for him. For a second there was nothing- but then, in a flash of blue and purple, Yohan shot out from the cloud and headed for the castle, his bare feet pounding on the ground while Aurelius followed him from the air, still blasting at him with huge beams of energy. He ran past a frozen Solaria and for a brief second, he smiled at her to convey that he would be ok. Solaria hesitated for a moment before she nodded at him, deciding to trust him and see how this would play out. Yohan sped towards the castle, running in zig zags in an attempt to not to get hit. Just as he jumped over a part of the castle wall a thin beam went through his leg, the pain hitting him like a bolt of lightning, but he kept going. If he faltered here, he'd be dead! Done for! He crashed through a window then made his way through the grand ballroom and bolted around the corner to hide, his hair feeling on end while knowing that the old king, Aurelius had just almost grabbed his locks when he entered through the castle window.
He sat in a dark corner of the kitchen, holding his breath as he saw Aurelius' glow approaching the door. His heart nearly fell into his stomach when the glow stopped at the door- but then thankfully moved on. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief and let himself fall back onto the floor. He couldn't hide forever and he needed a plan to fight, he knew this was his first test and he knew he was failing miserably. He needed to defend himself. A weapon would do perhaps? He remembered that in the grand ballroom there were weapons hung on the walls. Maybe he could find something there to help him fight. Just as he was solidifying that idea and about to think of a backup plan, a glowing blue clawed hand busted through the wall beside his face and grabbed his hair, pulling a surprised scream from him. Before he could fully react to think of freeing himself, he was yanked through the wall and thrown through another. The force and strength behind the throw had him crashing through four more walls and into another room. Finally, he slid to a stop across marbled floors with the debris from the walls trailing after him. He coughed as he peered an eye open through the light dust- then blinked when he realised where he was now. High ceiling and walls, a large, magnificent crystalline chandelier above him… It was the grand ballroom where he wanted to go originally. How convenient.
"Well shit. That's one way of getting around. At least I'm where I wanted to be." He murmured to himself as he sat up.
Just then, Aurelius' spirit slowly walked in through the hole in the walls he made with his body. His blue glow lit up the entire ballroom as he strides towards him, each step making a resounding thud throughout the entire room. Yohan looked on, frozen in terror as the approaching dread of the king's wrath was getting closer. The weight of his power, his presence was pressing down on Yohan, increasing the closer he got. In the king's eyes, Yohan was Zerav, his vision filled with that fateful day all those eons ago. Looking down at him from his place on the ground, looking as cowardly as he had always thought him to be after what he had done. He was silent, but his killing intent that was thick in the air said it all. Yohan could sense it too, it was impossible not to. He felt a chill down his spine as the hairs on the back of his neck and all over him stood on end. When they were but a few steps apart, he stopped, as if waiting on Yohan to make the first move. The tension in the air made seconds feel like hours as the king stood in the starlight under the broken roof of the ballroom. Yohan struggled to his feet, his face beaten and bloody. His clothes were ragged and torn from it all. He glanced to his left and saw a sword nearby, leaning against the wall. He grabbed the large sword and used it to help support his weight. He tried to calm his mind. The beast in front of him was far weaker than he had been in life, but no less dangerous now. Just then, Solaria landed on the roof of the ballroom to continue spectating their battle. She wanted to help Yohan, but she understood now that this was something he had to do himself. She'd trust his will and not interfere.
Yohan on the other hand, was shaking. He now felt the fear of impending doom. He knew that one mistake here would cost him everything. Gathering his courage, he put his full weight on his own feet and gripped the handle of the blade, holding it up now to fight as he took a deep breath. His fingers tightened around the hilt as he closed his eyes trying to focus. His body was trembling, but not just from the fear he felt. Alongside that fear, was the feeling of raw power surging through him. He felt the energy build within— wild and unyielding. His opponent also felt the shift in him and entered a fighting stance, his claws growing a bit longer and his eyes narrowing. As Yohan's eyes snapped open, they burned with an electric fury and in an instant, they both launched forward. Claws clashed with blade as Yohan fought with everything he had, fainting right then slashing left but Aurelius was there to block every blow with ease. Though he was now empowered, using the energy he had absorbed previously, he could feel that it wasn't making much of a difference. His attacks were fast and strong but he had no prior fighting experience while the spirit in front of him was of an experienced warrior. He began to feel a bit hopeless as he felt his opponent was almost playing with him but he pushed on. He didn't have a choice. He swung his sword at Aurelius' head– which he ducked , delivering a punch right into his left cheek. He reeled from the pain, vision swimming momentarily, but he clenched his jaw and quickly recovered himself, countering with another swing of the sword.
He had never swung one before so he was aware that his swings, his techniques were sloppy. But for some reason, someway, he was somehow matching Aurelius in speed attacking and dodging, almost as if it were muscle memory. But he needed more. This alone would not allow him to win this fight. Already his body was starting to tire and ache after all. Yes, he was fast enough to watch his movements and strong enough to parry and block but he knew he wouldn't last much longer like this. A grotesque sound of flesh being pierced rang in the air, momentarily stilling the fight. Yohan heard the sound before it registered to him that Aurelius's claws had pierced his shoulder. Without a chance to react or recover, Aurelius pulled him in by the wound, claws still embedded in his flesh– Then threw his fist at an even faster speed, landing a powerful punch to his face that had him seeing stars and shooting like one across the room. Before he could even get close to the ground, Aurelius had disappeared from his current position then reappeared behind him to deliver a double hammer fist to his back. The impact sounded like thunder, crashing into him with devastating force. It ripped the air from his lungs and sent a shockwave of pain through his entire body. A split second of agony in that moment, felt like eternity. His body hit the ground with a heavy thud and bounced briefly back into the air.
Aurelius didn't let that opportunity pass, using it to deliver a blitz of attacks mid-air, every blow devastatingly painful and hitting him all over his body. Finally, a hard kick aimed at his ribs sent him flying into a wall, leaving a perfect imprint of his beaten body there. His broken, bloody body slumped over in a bloody pool, no longer moving. Slowly, Aurelius walked over to Yohan's unconscious body then grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him off the ground. He stared at the boy in disappointment for a moment before he extended his claws, ready to make the final blow. Solaria watched on in agony, fists clenched tightly as she saw Yohan there, bleeding and broken. She shook her head. Forget the promise to trust him, he needed her help! She unfurled her wings to jump in– but didn't have a chance when a sudden pressure hit her. She didn't have time to process what had happened, only registering that Aurelius was sent flying across the room this time. In that moment, the unconscious Yohan's fight or flight response had kicked in, giving him the strength to land a decisive blow. Even Yohan himself had to take a moment to process what had happened as he found himself standing where he was once crumpled on the ground a second ago, now conscious where he was once unconscious. Standing there now as he assessed himself. He now felt a new strength surge through him, his energy overflowing violently. It almost felt as if he was a new person.
He looked down at his hands in amazement. Even he didn't know how he was doing this, but he knew that now was not the time for questions; he had an opponent in front of him. Solaria watched on with tears stinging her eyes as she had believed that he was about to be killed. He looked on at the spirit of the old king who was lifting a part of a wall he was punched through that collapsed on him and narrowed his eyes at him. He launched towards Yohan with claws outstretched and fangs bared, slashed at his head but Yohan had already dodged and in counter delivered a precise kick to the back of his head knocking him down into the ground. "Woah! Alright, I could get used to this." He grinned as Aurelius who had temporarily retreated to recover from the last hit and was now walking slowly towards him. Yohan blinked then as he realized that for some reason, he felt even more energized after hitting him. "I think I'm absorbing the energy when I come in contact with him." He whispered to himself. For some reason, all those hits from before as much as they did hurt, seemed to have made him stronger. He couldn't deny now when he thought about it, that he had been feeling stronger bit by bit while receiving them. Now, he had absorbed enough energy to put them on equal footing. But the danger hasn't yet passed. "He can still hurt me and he's still more experienced than me. Those claws are no joke but I feel like I can read his moves a bit better… Gotta admit I'm getting kinda excited." A devilish smile creeped its way across his face. "C'mon hit me some more. You came here for a fight didn't you? Well now you got one, so please hit me some more."
He now started to walk towards Aurelius, his wild eyes combined with his previous statement and his contorted smile sent out a slight chill in the air, causing Aurelius' spirit to unknowingly flinch. Even Solaria who was watching the fight felt the sudden shift and the colder energy he was giving off. If they could both speak to each other in this moment, the one thing they could agree on is that his smile right now was horrid, far different from his previously kind, sweet smiles. At this moment, he was no different from a bloody beast who just got their first taste of meat. Aurelius' spirit felt something, felt danger. Then in a split second his vision flipped upside down, Yohan now on a power trip had swept his feet causing him to fall to the ground following up with a powerful punch that sent his head into the earth, the impact causing a huge explosion that shook the entire castle. When the dust cleared Solaria was shocked, Aurelius' and Yohan were now inside a huge crater with Aurelius' head buried in rubble and the rest of his body sticking out. Yohan, his eyes now clear and somber, pulled his head out of the rubble then focused some energy in his other hand. Solaria winced when he started pummelling him over and over, every strike sending a shockwave throughout the room. She was still miffed as she looked on as Yohan who just a moment ago, was getting thrashed was now seemingly overpowering the spirit of Aurelius. Just then, Yohan was stopped by Aurelius who had used his tail to grab Yohan's arm and throw him off. When they both got up, they stared at each other, the tension between the two palpable. This would no doubt be their last exchange of blows. Power erupted from Yohan, so much in fact that his body changed as well, his dark brown eyes turned blue matching the bluish hue of the energy flowing out of him, the energy which had usually flowed like water now started to spark and flare like flames, even spreading to his hair lighting it aflame. Aurelius' spirit almost as if meeting his challenge pushed out its own surge of energy. In an instant, the two men clashed, claws, fists and fire raged inside the castle, both men relentless in their attacks. Aurelius used his sharp claws and lightning fast moves to strike at Yohan and he in return used his newfound strength and speed to block and dodge, even shooting blasts of blue flames at Aurelius.
After a moment, the intensifying battle spilled from the grand ballroom of the castle into the desolate wastelands beyond. The two combatants moved with such ferocity and speed that, to Solaria's eyes, they were nothing more than flickers of blue light and bursts of sparks—phantoms of motion locked in a dance of destruction.
Yohan was exhilarated as he kept his eye locked on the spirit of the king. This fight reminded him of the epic battles he used to read of, used to watch in anime, where every clash meant something more. But as he looked at his opponent—really looked—his excitement dimmed, replaced by something heavier. Something real.
This was no villain. This was the spirit of a man who had died trying to protect his wife and family. A man who rose from his grave, not out of hatred, but out of love, still fighting, still trying to do what he had failed to do in life.
Free Solaria.
Yohan blocked the king's kick with his arms crossed before him then pushed him back. Aurelius skidded then sneered as Yohan lowered his fists slightly, letting the wind hiss between them.
"You don't have to keep fighting." Yohan spoke, his voice cutting through the crackling of their energy. "I get it now."
The old king paused, flickering blue light still swirling around his spectral form.
"You died trying to protect the ones you loved. You gave everything—and it still wasn't enough. That kind of pain doesn't just fade."
The spirit took a step forward, his claws trembling. Yohan didn't flinch.
"But look." Yohan continued, gesturing around them. "You're still here, trying. Still protecting. Even in death."
He placed a hand over his chest. "I respect that. I honor that. And I want you to know… I'll take the torch. I'll protect Solaria now."
The king's form began to shimmer, the blue fire dimming.
"You can rest," Yohan said softly. "You've done enough. You can finally rest easy."
The spirit stared at him, something ancient and sorrowful passing through its glowing eyes. His vision was clear now, seeing the man before him, not as Zervas… But of himself, when he was young, before it had all gone to ruin. Like him, this man had the same look in his eyes, the determination to protect. He glanced to where he knew Solaria was watching and met her eyes, recalling the missing collar around her neck. He… This man had done that… Hadn't he… He lowered his head and closed his eyes. He felt that he could trust him. He could do more than he could right now. He can continue his promise to protect her… Then, like mist in the morning sun, the old king began to dissolve away, until all that remained was a quiet blue flame. The energy that made up the old king's spectral form lingered in the air for just a moment, swirling gently like the last breath of a storm. Then, without warning, it surged forward—rushing into Yohan's chest like a wave.
His eyes widened. There was no pain, only a sudden warmth, deep and ancient. His body lit up with blue fire, and the world vanished in a blinding flash of light.
And then—silence.
When the light faded, Yohan was no longer standing on the desolate battlefield.
He blinked, steadying his breath.
The world around him had shifted—he stood in a vast, radiant chamber, its walls made of polished obsidian and gold-veined stone that pulsed faintly with energy. The air shimmered with power, and the echo of something sacred thrummed in his bones.
And before him stood Aurelius.
Not as a ghost, but as a man.
Aurelius stood tall and imposing, his form a regal blend of humanoid grace and draconic majesty. His skin was midnight black, scaled and smooth like obsidian, but cracked through with jagged veins of glowing gold—like living lightning imprisoned beneath the surface. The cracks pulsed gently with every breath he took, as if thunder itself slumbered within him.
His wings, vast and folded behind his back, shimmered faintly with a translucent sheen. Horns curved back from his temples like gilded crowns, and his eyes—sharp, intelligent, and ancient—burned with a golden fire that saw straight through to the soul.
He looked at Yohan, not with judgment, but with solemn pride.
"You understand now," Aurelius said, his voice deep, resonant—more than a voice, it was like standing in the eye of a storm and hearing the wind speak.
Yohan swallowed, stunned not by fear, but by awe. "I saw you… What you carried. What you lost."
Aurelius stepped forward, each movement echoing with grace and gravity. He placed a clawed hand gently on Yohan's shoulder, the golden cracks across his arm glowing brighter at the touch.
"And now," He said, "what you will carry."
Aurelius stepped back, his golden eyes never leaving Yohan's. The glowing cracks across his body flared brighter—brighter still—until his entire form was engulfed in radiant light.
And then he began to change.
The regal humanoid form gave way to something even more ancient, more primal. His body elongated, limbs shifting and expanding, wings spreading wide with a thunderous boom that echoed through the chamber like the roar of the earth itself. In moments, where the draconic king had stood, now towered a true dragon—vast and majestic.
His scales were a deep, endless black, like the void between stars. But running through them, glowing like rivers of power, were veins of molten gold that crackled like lightning. His eyes, twin suns, regarded Yohan with a gaze that pierced time itself.
Then, slowly, reverently, the dragon bowed its massive head to him.
Yohan stood frozen, breath caught in his chest.
The dragon stepped forward, each movement shaking the ground beneath them like distant thunder. He lowered his head even further, until his great snout gently touched Yohan's forehead.
Yohan's eyes widened as a warmth—not just physical, but spiritual—flooded through him. For a moment, time seemed to stretch, and it was as if their souls were touching, understanding each other without words.
Then something changed.
The dragon pulled back slightly, golden eyes blinking slowly. There was a pause. A flicker of realization passed through them—quiet, surprised, and deeply proud. He looked at Yohan as if truly seeing him for the first time.
When he spoke, his voice was quieter now, but no less powerful.
"Fight well, and take care of her, after all she is our first love"
Yohan's mouth opened, a thousand questions burning on his tongue—but before he could speak, another flash of light erupted around him, swallowing the world once more.
And when the light faded, he was back.
The wind howled across the desolate scape, ash still in the air. But something inside him had changed. Something ancient and powerful now pulsed quietly beneath his skin.
The light faded, and Yohan staggered slightly, disoriented. The battlefield stretched out before him once again—silent now, the echoes of his duel with Aurelius hanging heavy in the air.
But before he could even begin to process what had just happened, he heard the sound of footsteps—fast, desperate—and then suddenly, she was there.
Solaria.
She collided with him at breakneck speed, slamming into his chest with a force that nearly knocked him off his feet. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, trembling, refusing to let go. Yohan blinked, stunned, as he felt her bury her face against him.
She held him like someone who'd been drowning and had finally found air.
She had watched everything—the fight, the words he spoke to calm Aurelius' spirit, the way he stood firm not as a warrior, but as a protector. She had heard his promise.
And now she was sure.
She saw him—not just as a stranger she just met, but as someone who carried Aurelius' fire, his will, his heart, his hope.
All those years of solitude… the weight of a kingdom fallen, the ache of lost hope, the endless nights with no one to share her pain… all of it broke inside her at once. Tears welled in her eyes, but they weren't from sadness.
Not anymore.
She pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes shimmering with emotion, with a certainty that left no room for doubt. She smiled through the tears, the first true smile she'd felt in ages.
Then she pulled him in close and kissed him on the cheek, like he was the first sunrise after a hundred years of night.
For the first time in forever, her heart didn't feel hollow.
She had found someone to believe in again.
To fight for.
To love.
Yohan was caught off guard by the kiss, his body still humming with the echoes of divine power, but as her lips met his, all the chaos of the battle seemed to melt away. In that instant, there was only her—Solaria, radiant and real, holding onto him like he was the anchor she'd been searching for across lifetimes.
He hesitated just a beat, stunned by the depth of her emotion—but then his hands gently found her waist, and hugged her in kind. Not with the urgency of war, but with the quiet strength of a promise kept.
When they finally pulled apart, he stared down into her eyes, still wet with the ghosts of her long-held sorrow.
Yohan looked into her eyes—those luminous, star-filled eyes that held galaxies of pain and hope—and he spoke with a voice steady and full of quiet resolve.
"Please…" He said, his hand brushing her cheek. "Train me."
A pause. The words settled between them like something sacred.
"It's time to set you free."
Solaria stared at him, eyes wide, lips trembling with wonder. She saw no hesitation in him, no doubt. Only fire. Only purpose.
Only love.
For the first time in millennia, she didn't feel like a prisoner of her past.
She felt like someone who might, just maybe, be free again.
And this time… she wouldn't be alone.
After witnessing everything that had transpired, Zervas had returned to Ventris with his report, his tone calm and dismissive. The surge of power they had felt from the Blackzone, he claimed, was nothing more than Solaria going on one of her usual rampages—chaotic, perhaps, but ultimately harmless. Nothing to be concerned about.
But when he delivered the true account in secret to Gladius, his words struck her like lightning.
As he spoke of what he had seen—of Solaria alive, not broken, and standing beside her father or rather, his new incarnation—tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
Tears of joy.
Her parents—after all the suffering, after all the centuries of silence—were finally reunited. And more than that, they were ready to fight again.
Gladius clenched her fists, her heart pounding with a renewed fire.
It was happening.
Hope, once buried, was rising again. And she would be ready. She would train, prepare, sharpen every blade and every spell—so when the time came, they would fight together.
And this time, they would set everything right.
Zervas, who had now been serving Ventris for thousands of years, also wanted to prepare for the coming fight. All those years ago, he had been threatened by Ventris—serve her, or she would kill both his family and Aurelius'. Ventris had kept her promise, slaughtering Aurelius's mother, father, and young siblings in cold blood. Since then, she had kept a leash on Zervas's family, using them to ensure his obedience.
Now, Zervas wanted to set things right. He remembered betraying his best friend, Aurelius, and causing the deaths of his family. But he could no longer live in fear or regret.
The turning point came when Ventris took Solaria's baby, pretending to be her mother while making Solaria out to be a horrible aunt. Zervas couldn't let this lie stand. When the child was old enough, he set the record straight, revealing the truth to her—Solaria was her true mother, and Ventris was a tyrant.
Since then, Zervas had been working with Gladius, helping to free Solaria from her prison and to release Aurelius from the cycle of death and rebirth he had been trapped in. The weight of his past actions hung heavy on him, but he knew this was his chance to make things right.