Silence fell over the hall all at once. The music stopped abruptly, the dancers froze in place, and the lights gradually dimmed until darkness enveloped the room. Then, like a sliver of light in the dead of night, a single beam of light shone down on a corner of the hall where Saruto sat before the ornate white piano, its surface reflecting the flickering glow of candles.
He was silent for a moment, his head slightly bowed, his hands resting peacefully on the keys. A murmur of whispers and timid questions arose among the audience before Saruto raised his head with a warm smile and said in a soft voice that pierced the silence, "This piece… is a heartfelt dedication to my friends who found their other half today. To Kyle, heir to the storms, and Rhyn, heir to the dragons."
Then he closed his eyes and began to play. The first notes sounded soft, like raindrops on morning glass; the sound of the piano flowed through the hall like a breeze of light. That was Mariage d'Amour.
The melody seeped into hearts before ears, silencing everyone in the hall, as if time itself stood still in reverence for the moment's grandeur. Kyle, holding Felisa's hand, glanced at her and said softly, "Even I didn't know Sarotto could play like that..."
She smiled. "There are things that shouldn't be revealed, Kyle."
Ryan, meanwhile, gazed at Arina, who had closed her eyes, surrendering to the music's magic. He imagined that all of nature was listening, that the distant trees in his realm were dancing to the tune.
In the opposite corner, Emilia and Star sat side by side, looking at Sarotto with eyes brimming with pride.
Lucien, for his part, stood near Selena, his eyes closed in perfect stillness, as if the notes were sailing through his memory. And with each passage Sarotto moved from one to the next, the sense of peace deepened.
Then it began The final note, soft and gentle, carried within it a warm farewell to a night that would never be repeated. Saroto slowly lifted his fingers from the keys, letting the last note linger in the hall like a flicker slowly fading into the heart of darkness.
A profound silence followed… For long seconds, no one dared to applaud. Then suddenly, applause erupted from all sides like a storm, cheers rose, and everyone stood in respect. The heirs raised their glasses high, and Kyle cried out, his voice filled with emotion, "To Saroto!" "The best musician in the Ten Kingdoms!"
Saruto chuckled shyly as he rose from his seat, then gestured to them, saying, "I thank everyone for listening."
The lights came back on, life returning to the hall, but something was different at that moment. Everyone felt that this timeless melody would remain in their memories, not just as music, but as a symbol of the unity born from the Ten Kingdoms.
While everyone was engrossed in the festivities, in one of the palace baths, Saruto's father bleeds from his mouth, saying, "So, the time has come."
A quiet stillness filled the air after a night of revelry, while the morning breeze carried the scent of flowers left behind by the celebration.
In the great courtyard, the princesses prepared to return to their kingdoms, each surrounded by her guards and attendants. Kyle embraced Felisa in farewell, and Ryan gazed at Arena with a look that spoke volumes. Amidst these emotionally charged moments, Saruto stood silently near the palace gates. His features were serene, but a hint of longing lingered in his eyes.
Emilia and Star approached him gracefully, and Emilia said warmly, "You haven't visited me in a while, Yasaruto?" "If it weren't for this party, we wouldn't have met."
Ward Starr said, "Emilia is right. You haven't visited us in a while. After all this, do you still call yourself my fiancé?"
Saruto realized he hadn't visited them in a long time and that they had missed him. He smiled and replied, "Well, I promise I'll visit you soon."
They smiled in agreement and hugged him. Saruto returned alone to the Lewin family mansion. The mansion was imposing, its walls gleaming in the morning sunlight. He entered through the massive gate with quiet steps, and when he reached the main hall, a servant bowed respectfully and approached him carrying a small black box decorated with strange patterns.
The servant said in a low voice, "My lord, this is the treasure that was brought back from the Kingdom of Sand." "The Director brought it."
Saruto took the box and slowly opened it. Inside, a strangely shaped, dark key appeared, as if it were made of shadows themselves. A moving black light emanated from it, as if darkness itself breathed within it. Saruto studied the key for a long time, then murmured, "The key I've retrieved... I'll ask Ethan about it."
Without hesitation, he headed straight to the Time Chamber. When Saruto entered, Ethan was training inside, deep in contemplation. He turned to him with a serene smile, as if he had known he was coming. "Hello, Ethan," Saruto said, holding the key up. "I found this in the treasure you brought from the Sand Kingdom. It looks strange... and has a power similar to that of the Founders."
Ethan stepped forward and took the key in his hands, passing his energy through it, his eyes shining with a faint violet light. After a short silence, he said in a deep, measured voice, "This key, Saruto... is no ordinary treasure." "It's the key to the gateway to the world of the Fourth Founder."
Saruto's eyes widened in surprise. "The world of the Fourth Founder?! Is it... Founder Adrian?"
Ethan nodded calmly. "Yes. It's him. Adrian was a wise man, beloved by all, until that fateful day when he lost his wife and, with her, his control over the Dark Power. He unleashed 100% of his energy, and his power transformed into an invincible darkness. That incident changed him completely, and he became known as the Dark Founder."
Saruto lowered his gaze for a moment, then raised his head with unwavering resolve. "I defeated the Second and Third Founders," he said. "Fighting him won't be difficult."
But a mysterious smile touched Ethan's lips. His tone was tinged with warning. "Don't be hasty, Saruto... The Third and Second Founders only revealed half their power. The worlds they entered limited their energy to maintain balance. But the Fourth Founder and the First Founder... their worlds are unrestricted."
Saruto froze, as if struck by lightning. He raised his eyes to the hall's murals, where the four founders' portraits were engraved, and stared intently at the image of the fourth founder.
"So... the journey isn't over yet," Saruto murmured, his voice low but firm. "I still have a long way to go... to surpass them all."
Ethan replied with a calm smile, placing a hand on Saruto's shoulder. "And that's what's required of you."
Then, the time portal closed behind them, and the room was bathed in light, symbolizing the beginning of a new journey into the Founder's Dark World.