"Hades… I've never heard of another way to fully utilize the power of Darkness without relinquishing emotions," the Origin said, his voice tinged with surprise and suspicion.
Hades smiled with a mysterious confidence and replied calmly, "You haven't heard of it because I discovered it."
The Origin eyes widened for a moment. "What?"
Hades continued, her voice carrying the wisdom of a ruler and the weight of experience: "We rulers, to use our full power, must relinquish our emotions. This also applies to half-rulers… and is even more evident in those who possess the power of Darkness."
Then she turned to Saruto and said rationally, "But what if you never fight? Then you will have relinquished your emotions… to no avail."
She continued, illustrating the idea with a simple example: "Imagine, Origin… that Saruto did as you asked, sacrificing his emotions for power. Then he went out to fight Umbra… only to find him dead. He would have lost his humanity for no reason."
Silence fell. Both Saruto and Origin began to grasp the depth of her words. Finally, Saruto said, "So… what do you suggest, Hades?"
She smiled faintly and said, "The alternative… is that you relinquish your emotions only during combat."
Both were taken aback and asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"
Hades said firmly, "We change the rules. Instead of sacrificing your emotions forever for power… your emotions disappear only when the fight begins. In your normal life, you remain human. But when you enter a battle… your emotions are temporarily shut down, allowing you to use the full power of darkness without restraint."
She added decisively, "And once the fight is over… your emotions return as they were."
Origin lowered his head thoughtfully, then said, "Her words make sense… Saruto, it sounds like an idea worth trying. What do you think?"
Saruto began to delve into his thoughts. "If I do what Hades says… will I become like the Emperor or the Umbra? But I'll only lose my emotions during combat… outside of battle, I'll still be myself. Even if I fight… my emotions will return afterward… and I won't lose myself completely."
As he was lost in his internal struggle, Hades gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Her voice was warm. "Don't overthink it, Saruto," she said. "I know you're afraid of becoming like the Emperor or the Umbra… but you're not like them."
Then she smiled confidently. "You're different… because you didn't give up your emotions so easily."
Her words calmed his heart. Saruto raised his head, looked at her and then at Origin, and said firmly, "Thank you, Hades… you've convinced me."
Then he took a step forward and stood directly in front of Origin. "Let's begin the absorption process."
The Origin slowly extended its hand. Saruto grasped it. In the next instant, a torrent of dark energy surged into Saruto body. The air trembled. The aura around them transformed into a dark vortex.
The Origin body gradually faded as its energy fused deep within Saruto. Saruto rose into the air, unconscious, his eyes beginning to glow with a profound violet light. Hades watched silently, then said quietly, her voice laced with anticipation and hidden fear, "Now…it's up to you, Saruto."
Then she added, "Let's see how long it takes you to absorb the energy of darkness…and make it yours completely."
She turned slowly, leaving the cocoon world, leaving Saruto behind.