The awakening of Yume sent tremors through the abyss itself.
The beast staggered backward, a growl rumbling deep within its throat as if its very essence was trembling. Its crimson eyes widened — not from rage, but from something far rarer. Fear.
Zyra's voice echoed sharply, "Why… why does the beast look afraid?"
Umbra frowned, her gaze fixed on the shifting shadows around the creature. "He's the embodiment of darkness… what could possibly frighten him?"
Althric, standing tall amidst the flickering shadows, answered quietly, his voice steady but grave.
"Because she is light. He was forged from the deepest darkness — and she, the radiance that stands against it. The beast fears her because she wields the power of the Eight Kings."
The words struck Kuro and Daiki like lightning. Both turned to Yume, who now stood in a faint halo of pale light, her blade gleaming like the moon.
Kuro's eyes widened. "The power of the Eight Kings… how—how did she gain it?"
Umbra asked sharply, "Did you two know this?"
Kuro shook his head, speechless. "No… not even in our wildest thoughts did we imagine she could wield that power."
Before anyone could say more, the beast roared and charged, its claws slicing through the air.
But each strike missed — Yume moved like a flash of pure light, her body untouchable. Every swing of his monstrous blade met only afterimages. The beast growled in frustration, the ground beneath him cracking under the pressure of his aura.
Inside him, Ren's soul flickered — glowing brighter, stronger — and the beast faltered for a brief instant.
Pain surged through its chest as if something inside was awakening against its will.
But then, the beast roared again, drowning the sensation beneath fury. His aura exploded outward, shaking the entire domain.
"Maximum output!" he bellowed.
Darkness erupted like a storm, swallowing everything around. The air warped. Black lightning streaked across the sky. For the first time, he called upon Ren's own power to face her.
From the shadows, he forged a colossal blade — jagged, ancient, alive with demonic runes.
His voice thundered:
"Monarch Decory — Stormshatter Cry Burst!"
The beast flashed forward, his movements tearing the ground apart.
"I'll kill you, brat!" he roared, his tone filled with hatred and despair.
Yume didn't flinch. She steadied her stance, her sword shimmering like starlight. As their blades collided, the shockwave blasted across the battlefield, throwing Kuro and Daiki backward.
A blinding surge of smoke and energy filled the air. For a moment, everything vanished in the haze.
Kuro shouted desperately, "Yume! Can you hear me?!"
When the smoke cleared… she was still standing.
The beast's eyes widened in disbelief. "How… how did you block that?"
Yume's voice was calm, yet burning with emotion. "You're probably wondering how I stopped your attack. The reason is simple. If it were Ren, I wouldn't have been able to block it. But you—" she pointed her blade at him "—you are not him. You use his body, his strength, but you'll never reach his level."
Her tone hardened, her gaze unwavering.
"So let me end this… and bring back the man I loved."
She raised her sword. Her aura blazed with pain, light, and love intertwining.
"Astral Requiem."
Her blade descended, trailing a radiant arc that tore through the darkness. In that single strike, all her sorrow turned into strength.
The beast staggered, his body trembling as shadows split apart. He fell to his knees — defeated.
The silence that followed was absolute.
Umbra and Zyra froze. Kuro and Daiki stood speechless.
The Dread Monarch — conqueror of the Abyss — had fallen.
Althric stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he lifted both Yume and the fallen beast into his arms and carried them away from the battlefield.
The ground that once trembled with violence was now eerily calm.
He brought them back to the Throne of the Abyss, where the once-mighty army of shadows knelt in silence.
"Zyra," Althric said, kneeling beside Yume. "Help me heal them both."
Hours passed. The storm faded.
Finally, Yume's eyes fluttered open, faint light glowing in her pupils.
She groaned softly, her strength returning little by little.
Kuro rushed to her side. "My child! Are you all right?"
Yume smiled weakly. "Yes… I'm fine. But what about the beast? Did he survive?"
Kuro pointed toward the throne. The beast lay motionless, its chest rising slowly.
"He's still unconscious… but he'll awaken soon."
Daiki stepped closer, curiosity in his eyes. "Miss Yume… how did you do that? How did you gain such power?"
Yume exhaled, her tone calm but distant. "I was ordered not to reveal this… but a few days ago, I was summoned by the Three Nine Kings."
"The Nine Kings!?" Daiki's eyes widened.
"They told me that, in our current state, there was no way to bring Ren back. So they… lent me their power. Ordered me to train until I could bear it." She looked down, her fingers trembling slightly. "I trained for days, forcing my body to adapt."
Kuro nodded slowly. "That explains the energy we felt. But why were you chosen?"
Yume shook her head. "I don't know. They never told me — and I never asked."
Their conversation stopped when a low growl echoed from the throne.
The beast stirred. His crimson eyes blinked open.
Everyone fell silent as Yume, leaning on Kuro for support, walked toward him.
"The battle is over," she said softly. "I've won. It's time… to give Ren back."
The beast's voice came low and calm. "You defeated me, that's true. But before I surrender… tell me — the power you used. What was that?"
Daiki scowled. "Why should we tell you anything?"
The beast chuckled weakly, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "You've earned the right to know. I accept my defeat… as I promised. But still, I want to understand."
Yume looked at him, her voice steady but tired. "That power was granted by the Kings themselves. I wasn't told why — only that it was necessary."
The beast's eyes darkened. "Remember this. The power you hold is not ordinary. It chooses its successor… on its own. And it chose you."
Kuro frowned. "Chosen? By whom?"
The beast slowly lifted his gaze. "By the King of Wings."
A collective gasp rippled through the hall. Even Umbra's stoic expression faltered.
"No one can inherit his power…" Kuro whispered. "How could she…?"
The beast's voice grew faint but resolute. "That power is the only light capable of defeating true darkness. You, Yume, are now its successor. But remember — never use it unless you have no other choice. Shadows are born from light; they cannot destroy it. Misuse it… and it will only strengthen the dark."
Silence fell again.
Then, slowly, he lowered his head. "As promised… I surrender. Do what you must to bring him back."
Kuro hesitated, then spoke quietly. "Before we begin… tell me, beast. What changed you? Why did you start acting differently?"
The beast turned away. "That's none of your business."
"Tell me," Kuro repeated firmly, his tone sharper now.
For a long moment, only the flicker of shadows filled the room. Then, the beast finally spoke.
"I never wanted to change," he said slowly. "But when I consumed Ren… I felt something I'd never felt before. Emotions. His pain. His loneliness. His heart." His claws trembled. "It tore through me. I couldn't bear it."
Silence filled the throne room. Even the shadows seemed to hold their breath.
Then — a faint glow appeared within the beast's chest. Ren's soul, still alive, returned to its rightful place.
Light wrapped around his body as his emotions, his memories, and his heart began to reawaken.
Zyra stepped forward, holding a vial of shimmering light. "The Eclipse Remedy… it's time."
She poured it over his body. The air crackled as divine energy collided with shadow.
The darkness that once clung to him began to peel away. From within it emerged a tall, black-cloaked figure — a spirit forged from the same darkness that had once enslaved him.
"I am the Black Heart," the figure spoke. "The one who gave power to the Ninth King, Ren Akatsuki."
Everyone froze. Even the beast stared in silence.
"I came to thank you," Black Heart continued, his voice soft, resonant. "You've done what none could — you brought him back from hell. Ren never wanted to hurt any of you. He was reckless, yes, but his heart remained pure. Forgive him, Yume Akegami… for he never forgot your words, nor the pain they caused."
Tears welled in Yume's eyes. "He… he remembered?"
The Black Heart smiled faintly. "Always. But now, my time ends. He is a wounded king — scarred but alive. Take care of him."
The spirit dissolved into black light and merged back into Ren's body.
Moments later, Ren's horns began to fade. The monstrous form he once bore melted away, leaving the man they once knew.
A deep hum filled the air — the resonance of shadows returning home.
Then came a blast of power — so immense that Althric fell to his knees.
No one could understand what was happening as the abyss itself seemed to breathe.
Shadow and flame intertwined — Ren's body glowing with a dim blue light.
The darkness that once dominated the throne was gone. What remained was pure shadow — calm, steady, alive.
At last, Ren Akatsuki, the Dread Monarch, exhaled softly. His body — no longer covered in darkness.
And then… Yume smiled faintly. That she was able to bring her back.
As the last pulse of energy faded, his body relaxed, eyes closed breathing normally:
"…At last… peace."
And with that, the Dread Monarch — who once ruled the abyss — fell silent.