The floor was drenched in the blood of Nulls.
Ren: "We should move ahead."
Kento (confidently): "Go on. I'll cut down anyone who stands in our way."
They pressed forward, searching for an escape. The silence between them broke as Ren glanced toward the sword in his hand.
Ren: "So... how did you become a sword, even after death?"
Kento: "Honestly, I don't remember exactly how it happened. But I do remember someone saying to me, 'A ten-year-old kid will come pick you. Try to save him.' Then they placed me on that table."
Ren: "Hmm..." (He nodded thoughtfully.)
Ren: "How old are you?"
Kento: "I died at sixteen. Now... I guess I'm 273 years old."
Ren (shocked): "Really?!"
As they continued talking, a sudden sound echoed ahead — the unsettling growl of another Null.
Kento (warned him): "Be alert."
Ren: "Okay."
Once again, Ren's right hand darkened with the same black and red scales.
Ren: "You got something to protect my face?"
Kento: "No need."
Another Null charged at them. Kento shifted slightly, pointing the tip of the blade forward. A sudden flash of energy — a thin beam — burst from the sword, piercing through the Null in a blink.
Ren (amazed): "Woah!"
They marched forward and stumbled upon an ancient gate, towering and sealed.
Ren: "What is this place now...?"
He pushed it open. But the moment the gate creaked apart, Kento's energy vanished — he collapsed into Ren's hand, completely lifeless.
Inside, a strange scene unfolded — a Null, chained to a throne-like chair, yet free to walk within its bounds, stared directly into Ren's soul.
Terrified, Ren screamed.
Null (deep voice): "Keep quiet."
Ren cried louder, his fear bursting forth. The Null rose from the throne. His long chains rattled as he approached Ren slowly.
Despite being powerless, Kento, limp in Ren's grasp, still tilted his blade toward the Null — a silent gesture of protection.
The Null simply smiled.
He gently rubbed Ren's head, as if comforting a frightened child.
Null: "What's your name, kid?"
Ren (stammering): "I... I'm Ren Shigaraki."
At that name, both the Null and Kento reacted with surprise.
Null: "I won't hurt you."
He returned to his throne.
Null: "I am Aratsu — Son of God. The one blessed with divine powers. That's why I call myself the 'Son of God.'"
Ren and Kento were stunned. A Null with divine powers?
Aratsu: "They call me the 'Fallen Son.' I was chained here... not by a god — but by a human. A man who holds the power of the devil. I can't escape this place... unless you help me."
Ren (curious): "Help how?"
Aratsu: "Let me take your Shisou... let me stay inside your body. In return, I'll help you in your journey — and together we'll defeat the one who imprisoned me. But you must agree."
Ren: "Have you offered this to anyone else?"
Aratsu: "Only once. But he refused. He was born without a Shisou — and that kind of person has the power to choose any Shisou they desire."
Ren: "Damn... who was he?"
Aratsu (laughs): "He was your uncle. Ishidi Shigaraki."
Ren: "I... I have an uncle?"
Aratsu: "So? Do you accept my offer?"
Ren: "If I refuse, I have nothing left... and I can't even die. So... I accept."
Aratsu burst into thunderous laughter, like someone freed after an eternity of imprisonment.
Chains shattered, the ground trembled. His aura erupted like a storm, crashing through the space around them. In an instant, Aratsu dissolved into a wave of dark mist, surging straight into Ren's body.
Ren (screaming): "Aghhhhaaaa!!"
Between Ren's shoulder blades, a closed eye-shaped mark appeared, burning faintly.
The entire chamber began to collapse into itself, dust and rubble raining down.