The sound of fighting echoed through the ruined palace.
Metal clashed against metal again and again, and the sounds of punches and impacts reverberated between the cracked walls. The palace had turned into ruins; columns were shattered, walls were split, and a hole in the ceiling allowed faint light to seep inside. Dust filled the air.
In the heart of this devastation, two fighters exchanged blows mercilessly.
Their swords collided once more, sharp sparks bursting into the air, mingling with a dark energy that spread through the hall like black lightning.
One of the men stepped back.
His long white hair fell behind his shoulders like threads of silver, and his violet eyes were cold. He wore black knight armor with faint purple lines running across it. He appeared to be in his late twenties.
He slowly raised his arm, then ran a hand through his hair and pushed it back, while his sword remained in his right hand, pointed toward his opponent.
"How long do you intend to keep fighting, Saruto?" he said in a calm, mocking tone.
On the opposite side stood his opponent.
A young man with thick, unruly black hair that moved wildly around his face with every motion. His purple eyes were steady and hard, and his expression was eerily calm.
His chest was bare, revealing well-defined pectoral and abdominal muscles. Sharp pieces of armor extended over his shoulders and arms, while his forearms and legs resembled those of a dragon, covered in dark scales with sharp claws.
Behind him, massive masses of darkness gathered and moved, spreading around him like a cloak.
In his hands were two curved swords, each attached to a long chain that wrapped around his arms.
He raised one of the swords and pointed it toward the white-haired man.
"I won't rest... until I kill you, Umbra," he said in a low voice filled with rage.
Umbra let out a short, cold laugh.
"Very well... you may try."
The next moment, the two rushed toward each other. Their weapons collided with tremendous force, and a massive explosion thundered through the hall, sending sparks of dark energy flying in every direction.
Both were thrown backward.
But Umbra suddenly vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Saruto. He reached out and grabbed the back of Saruto's head violently, then hurled him across the hall.
Saruto's body crashed through the stone pillars one after another, the pillars collapsing under the impact as fragments of stone scattered through the air.
Finally, Umbra slammed him into the ground.
Saruto's body struck the floor with tremendous force, creating a deep crater beneath him as dust spread everywhere.
Umbra stood above the crater and began gathering dark energy between his hands.
The energy formed into a pulsating black sphere that radiated a dark violet glow.
Then he launched it toward Saruto.
The energy exploded in darkness.
But at the last moment, Saruto burst out of the crater, dodging the attack. He rolled across the ground before slowly rising to his feet.
He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
Then he raised his arm.
Dark energy began gathering around his hand, swirling like a vortex.
Umbra's eyes widened slightly.
The next moment, he felt an unseen force suddenly pull him forward.
His body was dragged violently toward Saruto.
In an instant, Saruto's hand was gripping his neck.
"Telekinesis?" Umbra said in surprise.
Saruto tightened his grip around Umbra's throat, his eyes blazing with rage.
"This is the end for you, Umbra!"
He quickly raised his sword and brought it down toward Umbra's neck.
But Umbra smiled.
"No... not yet," he said calmly.
Suddenly, something flashed in the air.
The next moment, Saruto's hand was severed from his body.
Blood splattered through the air.
The severed hand fell to the ground, along with the sword.
Saruto stepped back, his eyes wide with shock.
But Umbra was faster.
He caught Saruto's sword in one motion, then lunged forward and plunged it directly into his chest.
Blood splattered across the palace floor.
Saruto collapsed to the ground.
.Umbra stood over him, staring at him with contempt.
"How dare a mere mortal challenge me... the King of Darkness?"
Despite the blood filling his mouth, Saruto laughed weakly.
"And... have you forgotten?" he said with difficulty.
He lifted his head slightly.
"That I am... a half-king."
---
Eleven years earlier, in a vast training ground within the Dark Kingdom, a young boy was training with a tall man.
That boy was Saruto.
He lunged toward his opponent, throwing a swift punch.
But the man moved even faster.
With a quick movement, he swept Saruto's legs, throwing him off balance instantly.
Then he delivered a powerful punch to Saruto's stomach.
The air rushed from Saruto's lungs, and he collapsed to the ground in pain.
He coughed several times.
"Father... go easy on me," he said.
The man laughed.
That man was King Morvan.
Smiling, he said, "Don't you remember your promise to your mother... before she died?"
Saruto froze.
A memory returned to him.
He was holding his mother's hand as she lay on her deathbed.
He was crying, faint dark energy surrounding his body.
"I promise you... I will become the pride of the Dark Family," he said with a trembling voice.
The memory faded.
Saruto returned to the present.
He stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, then took a fighting stance again.
"Let's continue, Father."
Morvan smiled and took his own stance.
But before they could resume, they heard hurried footsteps.
A girl was running while guards tried to stop her.
"Saruto!" she shouted loudly.
Saruto turned with annoyance.
"Who is interrupting my training?"
But when he saw her, he was surprised.
It was his childhood friend, Princess Star of the Kingdom of Astrelya.
One of the guards approached and bowed.
"We apologize, Your Majesty... she escaped from us and we couldn't stop her."
King Morvan laughed and waved his hand.
"No need to apologize."
He gestured for the guards to leave.
Star approached Saruto angrily.
"I interrupted your training?! Have you forgotten your promise to me?!"
Saruto tried to remember but failed.
"A promise...?" he said hesitantly.
Her eyes widened in anger.
"You promised we'd go for a walk today!"
"But I'm in the middle of important training," Saruto replied.
Morvan placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
"It's alright."
Then he smiled.
"Take the day off."
He leaned close to Saruto's ear and whispered,
"And how could you forget your promise to your friend? We are the Dark Family... we never break our promises."
Then he gently pushed him toward her.
Saruto ran to Star and took her hand.
"I'm sorry, Star, for forgetting... but I'll make it up to you."
Star smiled.
"I accept your apology. Let's go."
The two left the Dark Kingdom and headed toward the forest.
As they walked among the trees, Star asked,
"Saruto... have you awakened your Dark Power?"
Saruto replied sadly,
"No."
Star noticed the sadness on his face and decided to encourage him.
She stood in front of him and opened her arms.
"Don't lose hope, Saruto. I know you can awaken it."
Then she smiled.
"All you need is motivation."
But at that moment, the trees began to shake violently.
Birds suddenly flew out of their nests.
Then a tremendous roar echoed through the forest.
Star trembled.
"What was that?!"
"It's a monster..." Saruto replied anxiously.
He quickly grabbed her hand.
"Star, run! It's one of the monsters of Hellsing Forest!"
A massive shadow appeared between the trees.
Two glowing eyes shone in the darkness.
And the creature slowly approached.