Morning light filtered through the paper windows, painting faint golden patterns across the wooden floor. Ren stirred beneath the covers, blinking slowly as if waking from a long, heavy dream.
His body felt leaden, as though he had fought for days without rest. For a moment, he couldn't even remember where he was.
Then fragments returned — the warmth of Yume's arms, the sound of her voice, the tears he hadn't even known he had been holding back.
The sliding door creaked open. Yume stepped inside quietly, carrying a tray with tea. Her presence was soft, like the morning breeze.
"You're awake," she said gently, a small smile touching her lips. "I'm glad. I hope you slept well."
Ren sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Yume… last night… I…" His throat tightened. "I remember embracing you, but… after that, it's all blank."
Yume set the tray down and sat beside him. "Nothing strange happened," she assured him, her smile warm but tinged with sadness. "You just… let out everything you'd been holding in. You shared the pain you kept buried."
Ren froze, feeling heat rush to his face. The memory of breaking down — of letting his walls crumble — made his chest tighten with shame.
"I see…" he murmured, lowering his gaze.
"Ren," Yume said softly, hesitating before speaking again.
He looked up, her voice pulling him back. "Yes?"
"You can tell me what you're feeling," she said, her tone almost pleading. "I know I can't completely understand your pain, but when you finally let yourself cry… I was happy. Because you weren't alone anymore. Please, Ren — don't let those emotions chain you down. You can lean on us. You can lean on me. I'll listen every day if that's what it takes."
Ren's breath caught. For a moment, words failed him.
"…Thank you, Yume," he said finally, his voice quiet but full of sincerity. "For caring about me."
Yume's expression softened, and she reached out, brushing her fingers across his face.
"The days you spent in darkness…" Her voice wavered, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "I can't bear to imagine what you went through. But now, I'm here. You don't have to face it alone ever again. Even though I wasn't there when you needed me most — something I'll never forgive myself for — I want to stay by your side until my last breath."
Her words struck deep. Ren reached out and took her hand, holding it tightly.
"You were always there for me, Yume," he said, his voice steady now. "Even when I was too weak to face you, you didn't give up. You still stood by me. Thank you… for never letting go."
The silence that followed was not heavy but warm, like a bond being quietly reforged. After a moment, Yume smiled again.
"Come on," she said softly. "Breakfast is ready."
They shared a quiet meal together, the tension from the previous night slowly melting away.
On the way to the training grounds, the Black Heart's voice echoed within Ren, low and familiar.
Ren, are you feeling better now?
"Yes," Ren admitted. "Much better. It feels like… a weight has been lifted. I feel lighter somehow."
Ah, that's the power of speaking what's in your heart, the Black Heart chuckled darkly. Especially when it's with the girl you love.
Ren flushed, looking away. "Love…?"
Don't pretend with me, my king. You should tell her how you feel. Otherwise, you may regret it when it's too late.
"…Maybe you're right, Darkness. But I can't… not yet. The responsibility I carry — it's something only I can bear. I can't drag her into it any more than she already is."
You're already dragging her into it, the Black Heart teased. But very well. I'll wait until you're ready.
Meanwhile, Yume walked silently beside him. Her bond spirit whispered gently into her mind.
Yume, you've finally reunited with the boy you love. Why not tell him what's in your heart?
"I can't," Yume murmured under her breath, glancing at Ren's back.
Why not?
"What if he doesn't feel the same? What if he pulls away from me?" She sighed softly. "It's better to leave things as they are. At least this way, he's still beside me."
The bond spirit was quiet after that, but Yume's chest ached.
They soon arrived at the training grounds, where the Fourth General waited with arms crossed.
"Oh, you finally came," the general said, his tone casual but sharp.
"Yes," Ren replied, bowing slightly.
"Good. Then we'll start immediately. But first…" The general's gaze turned serious. "You should know something. When you fought Yume one-on-one, she wasn't using her full power."
Ren stiffened. "What?!"
The thought made him uneasy. If she had fought seriously… would I even still be standing?
"But when Darkness took over you," the general continued, "it became clear — the Third General would have stood no chance against you. However, there's a grave risk. If you unleashed your full power right now, your body wouldn't withstand it. You wouldn't just die, Ren. Your entire existence would be torn apart."
Ren's fists clenched. "Then… what do I have to do?"
"Our goal is to make you capable of safely using half of the King's power. To do that, we must fuse your Black Heart with your natural one. Only then will your body be strong enough to withstand the burden."
"Fuse… my hearts?"
"Yes. Right now, you carry two — the heart you were born with, and the one that marks you as the King of Shadows. When they become one, you'll undergo a transformation — like the Eight King once did. But whether it will be permanent… no one can say. You'll be the first human in history to truly become the King of Shadows."
Ren inhaled slowly, then nodded. "…Then I'll do it."
"Good. Today, we push beyond 20%."
Ren grimaced. "That might be too much—"
"Not with Darkness by your side," the general interrupted. "He will keep you from losing control."
Ren nodded. "Alright. Let's begin."
"Then push your body to its limit," Kuro commanded.
No, the Black Heart interrupted firmly. Not all at once. Increase it gradually — 4%, then 6%, then 10%, and finally 18%.
"Why?" Ren asked inwardly.
Because if you unleash too much too soon, your body will tear itself apart. Let it adapt first.
Ren exhaled. "Alright. Power up — 2%."
A faint bluish glow shimmered around him.
"4%!" The shadows at his feet began to twist, swirling upward like smoke.
"6%!" Darkness and light intertwined, spiraling together around his body.
"11%!" A burst of shadow energy erupted skyward, the air around him vibrating with power.
"18%!" The ground beneath him cracked, the spiraling shadows shooting high into the heavens like a pillar.
The general's eyes widened. "Impressive… in such a short time, you've already come this far."
"Now," Kuro said, voice sharp, "release the Darkness."
Ren's eyes flashed black as a devilish aura exploded outward, shaking the training ground.
At your command, my king, Darkness intoned.
"Merge with the shadow!" Kuro shouted.
Darkness laughed deep in Ren's mind. As you wish!
Ren's body trembled as the power surged through him, threatening to consume him.
"It's… hard to control… but… I can handle it!"
Good, the Heart encouraged. Push further. Do you want my help?
"Yes!"
Suddenly, a wave of images tore through Ren's mind. He saw shadow demons, endless and merciless, tearing through villages and cities, slaughtering humanity.
"No…!" Ren cried, clutching his head. "Stop it! Stop it!!"
Hold on, Ren! the Heart shouted. Don't lose yourself!
Kuro's face darkened. "Ren! What's happening?!"
"Power output — 33%!" the Heart warned.
"What?!" Kuro's blood ran cold. "Yume! Shield the area!"
"On it!" Yume's barrier flared to life — only to shatter under the overwhelming aura.
The sky itself seemed to darken. The ground split, and the air grew heavy, crushing.
Villagers rushed outside, terror on their faces.
"What is this power?!" someone cried.
The shadows coiled and writhed around Ren, as if the King himself was awakening within him.