The air around them trembled faintly ,not with chaos, but with reverence.
Ren Akatsuki stood beneath the faint, blue glow of the Abyssal throne hall, the silence itself seeming to bow before his presence. His new attire rippled softly, a long black coat layered with subtle silver embroidery that shimmered like shadow-light. Every motion he made carried weight, yet calm. His very aura no longer roared; it breathed, steady, commanding, divine.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Yume's lips parted, but no words came out. Her eyes followed the outline of his coat, the faint reflection of light over his gloves, the quiet composure in his eyes.
This was Ren, and yet, something about him felt untouchable.
Kuro finally broke the silence, folding his arms with a half-smirk.
"Is that really you, Ren?"
Ren turned his head slightly, the faintest of smiles forming.
"Yes, Master. It's me. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing," Kuro said, squinting as if studying a rare artifact. "Just that… I thought you'd walk out wearing your old track suit, not looking like some royal figure from another world."
Ren chuckled quietly. "I decided to leave that part of me behind. This… feels right."
Yume stepped forward, her steps slow, careful, her eyes tracing every detail of him. "It suits you," she said softly. "This look… it fits the man you've become."
Ren met her gaze and nodded gently. "You really think so?"
Daiki grinned. "I'll say. You used to look like a reckless soldier. Now you look like someone who could command gods."
Ren let out a faint laugh, quiet, distant, but genuine. Even laughter carried a shadow of strength now.
It wasn't just his clothing that had changed. The very presence of Ren Akatsuki had evolved, his aura, once volatile and alive with struggle, now pulsed with purpose. The shadows didn't rage around him; they obeyed.
Kuro could sense it too. "His energy… it's far beyond what he had before," he thought, eyes narrowing. "He's not the same boy who fell into the Abyss. He's something else now."
Moments later, Ren turned, his expression settling into calm authority.
"Althric. Zyra. Umbra, come forward."
The three knelt before him immediately, the air vibrating with their power as they lowered their heads.
"My King," Althric said, his voice deep with reverence. "You summoned us."
"Stand," Ren said simply. "All of you."
They obeyed.
Yume started to approach him, her tone careful but firm. "Can I… join this discussion?"
Ren turned slightly, concern flickering across his face. "You're still injured, Yume. You need rest."
"I'm fine," she said quickly. "And I'm not leaving your side. If I can't stand beside you here, then what did I fight for?"
Ren's eyes softened. He sighed faintly, giving in. "All right. But take my arm if you feel weak."
She smiled, lightly touching his sleeve. "Then let's begin."
Ren's expression turned solemn as he faced his Abyssal generals. "The passage to the surface will open in a few days," he began. "When it does, Umbra and Zyra, you'll command the army in my stead."
Umbra and Zyra bowed deeply, their voices in unison. "As you command, my King."
Ren's gaze shifted to Althric. "You'll lead the vanguard with Umbra. Zyra, you'll remain here, the Queen of the Abyss. I release the thunder crest I placed upon you. You are free to leave if you wish."
Zyra looked startled. "Free…?" Her eyes softened, a faint glow flickering in them. "My King, the day you defeated me, you freed me from eternal torment. You gave me back my purpose, and my skies. That's why I follow you. No matter what happens, the Queen of Thunder stands with the King of Shadows."
Ren smiled faintly. "Then I'm honored."
"But," Zyra continued, "there will be times when I must return to the skies. When I do, Umbra will watch over your throne."
Ren nodded. "You have my trust. And remember, if you act, act with conviction. But always tell me first."
Zyra bowed again. "As you will, my King."
As the generals began to leave, Ren turned to Althric. "Wait."
Althric froze, unsure. "My King?"
Ren stepped forward, raising his hand toward him. A circle of glowing sigils formed around Althric, radiant and calm. The energy that poured from Ren wasn't wild, it was sacred.
"What are you doing?" Althric asked, his tone trembling with confusion.
"Just watch," Ren said softly.
Light enveloped Althric completely. His armor shimmered, the aura around him shifting from cold steel to living warmth. When the glow faded, he fell to one knee, gasping.
"My King… what did you—?"
"Remove your helmet," Ren said.
Althric hesitated, then obeyed. When the helmet came off, silver-white hair flowed freely down his back. His face, once bound to darkness, was now human. Flesh and soul, not just spirit.
Althric's hand trembled as he touched his cheek. "I… I can feel again."
Ren smiled faintly. "You were born from me. Now, you are like me, capable of feeling, of choosing, of living."
Tears welled in Althric's eyes as he knelt again. "My King… I will serve you with all that I am. I will protect you and the Queen with my life."
"I know you will," Ren said quietly. "Now go. Prepare the army."
A few hours later, the Abyss stirred once more.
Ren summoned his phoenix, a colossal creature of black flame and luminous feathers. Its eyes burned with eternal light, and its wings stretched across the endless caverns like living fire.
"Kuro. Daiki. Althric. Yume," Ren called, his voice echoing. "It's time to go home."
The phoenix bowed its massive head, allowing them to climb aboard. But just as they were about to ascend, Yume suddenly collapsed.
"Yume!" Kuro shouted, rushing to her side.
Ren knelt beside her instantly, checking her pulse. "She's fine," he said, relief softening his features. "Just exhausted. Let her rest."
He carefully lifted her into his arms, her head resting against his shoulder. "Sleep, Yume," he whispered. "You've done enough."
The phoenix let out a cry, a roar that split the air, and then spread its wings. Shadows coiled around it like ribbons as it ascended, piercing through the Abyssal layers one by one.
Daiki and Kuro watched in awe. Below them stretched the vast empire Ren had transformed, a realm once cursed now blooming in peace. Titans and dragons knelt as they passed, lowering their heads in silent acknowledgment of the King who had restored their world.
Daiki whispered under his breath, "He changed all of this… in just days?"
Kuro nodded slowly. "That's Ren for you."
The phoenix broke through the final veil, and the darkness gave way to light.
The surface world was bathed in moonlight.
A cool night wind swept across the barren cliffs as the phoenix soared into the open sky. Its cry echoed across the mountains, and its feathers shimmered like streaks of black fire against the stars.
Down below, Haru stood beside his car, the glow of a cigarette dying between his fingers. He looked up, his eyes narrowing.
A shadow passed over the moon, massive, graceful, alive.
He smiled faintly. "So… you made it back."
When the phoenix descended, wind rippled through the field. Dust scattered. The earth trembled as it landed gracefully before him.
Ren stepped down, still holding Yume in his arms. Kuro and Daiki followed, each landing lightly beside him. Althric remained at Ren's flank, his silver hair glinting under the moon.
Haru took a step forward, his lips parting slightly in awe. The Ren Akatsuki he saw before him was not the one he remembered. His posture, his expression, even the quiet strength that radiated from him, everything had changed.
"Ren…?" Haru said quietly.
Ren looked up, his eyes glowing faintly with blue and shadow. "It's been a while, Captain."
Haru chuckled softly. "A while? Try a lifetime. You look… different."
Ren tilted his head, a calm smile playing on his lips. "Do I?"
Haru shook his head, laughing under his breath. "The last time I saw you, you were reckless, charging into fights without thinking. But now…" He exhaled slowly. "Now you look like someone who's seen the end of the world and walked back from it."
Ren's gaze lowered briefly, his tone quiet. "Maybe I have."
Yume stirred slightly in his arms, her breathing steady, her expression peaceful. Ren looked down at her, the faintest hint of warmth touching his eyes.
"She fought harder than anyone," he murmured. "She deserves to rest."
Kuro smirked faintly. "She's earned it. And so have you."
Ren straightened, turning his gaze toward the distant horizon, the capital lights flickering faintly in the distance.
"Then it's time," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "We're going back to the capital. There's much to prepare… and even more to protect."
As he spoke, his right eye ignited, a swirl of blue flame entwined with living shadow. The wind around him stirred as if recognizing its king once more.
Daiki felt a shiver run down his spine. "That look in his eyes…" he whispered. "It's the same one he had before every war."
Haru met Ren's gaze, his tone steady. "Welcome home, Ninth King of Shadows."
Ren's lips curved slightly. "It's good to be back."
The phoenix let out one final roar, a cry that echoed across the sky like a proclamation.
The King had returned.
And this time… the world would know it.