Kaosu's eyes narrowed as he studied Kudo. For the first time since their meeting, the playful grin was gone. Silence hung heavy between them until Kudo finally let out a long, trembling breath.
"…You wanted to know about me," he murmured. "Then listen well. My story isn't one I've shared in a very, very long time."
The black flames flickered, dimming as the void shifted into a different scene — a memory. A child stood before a towering man cloaked in light, eyes filled with ancient wisdom.
"That child… was me," Kudo whispered.
The man — radiant, almost divine — bent down, placing his hand on young Kudo's head. His voice was deep and resonant.
"Kudosudo… my son. I gift you this power — the Chaos Nexus. But remember… it is not yours to claim. You are not the king. You are the guard. Nurture it, protect it, master it… and when the true owner arrives, teach him. That is your purpose."
The boy nodded, clutching his chest as swirling energy burned into his soul. The scene shattered, replaced by fire and ruin.
"I left my father that day," Kudo said bitterly. "And in my arrogance… I caused destruction in my path for decades. I thought chaos was meant to be unleashed, not protected."
A new vision appeared — a young boy, weak, coughing, yet smiling.
"Then… I met him. Zankoku."
Kaosu stiffened.
"He was fragile… dying. I pitied him. So I did the worst thing I could have done — I gave him Nexus energy. But not just any Nexus… I poured too much. It twisted his spirit, corrupted his soul, and from him was born the first Dark Nexus."
The void trembled, showing Zankoku's eyes glowing red, villages burning, bodies strewn across broken ground.
"I sealed his power away — temporarily. I thought I could contain him." Kudo's voice cracked. "But one day, when I had nearly perfected my Chaos Nexus, I found him… standing atop rubble, the entire village in ruins, drenched in blood."
Kudo's voice shook. "I asked him why. Why slaughter innocents? And he smiled at me. He said… 'I liberated them.'"
Kaosu clenched his fists, rage flaring.
"I charged at him… but he only laughed. 'I can't defeat a god,' he said, 'but I can seal one.' And with that… he sealed me within my own power. Trapped. Helpless. Forgotten. I waited… hundreds of years, thousands… until I lost count. But my will never wavered."
The void flickered, returning to the present. Kudo looked directly into Kaosu's eyes, his grin gone — replaced by raw devotion.
"And then… you used my power. For the first time in eternity, I saw my chance. Not to break free for myself — but to guide you. You… you are the one my father spoke of. The true heir of Chaos."
Kaosu's chest tightened. "…Kudo…"
Kudo's form shimmered, kneeling on one knee, his head bowed. His voice thundered with both sorrow and loyalty:
"From this day forth… you own this power. Take it, my King. I'll serve you whenever you call my name. For I am Kudosudo — Bearer of Light, the child lost in darkness… your humble servant!"
The void shook, and Kaosu felt a surge of power flood into him, unlike anything before. For the first time, he wasn't just wielding Kudo's strength.
Kudo was truly his.