Saruto sat on the devastated ground, the scars of battle still surrounding him, but he forced his weary body to remain still. He looked up at Darius and spoke in a calm voice despite the storm raging inside him. Darius smiled enigmaticly. "I know you have a lot of questions, Saruto… but let's make this more fun."
He took a step closer, then sat opposite him. His voice, like a seasoned player's, continued, "Let's make it a game… question for question. I ask a question, and you answer. If you don't want to answer, just say 'no.' The same goes for me."
Saruto paused for a moment, then nodded. He realized this was his only chance to learn the truth: the truth about the contract Adrian had made, the truth about this dragon called Darius, and the truth about that mysterious master.
"Agreed," Saruto said firmly.
Darius smiled, as if he had been waiting for that word. "And let's add the Dark Contract," Saruto added, "to make this even more fun." Darius was surprised that Saruto knew about the Dark Contract. The Dark Contract binds two or more people; whoever lies suffers a heart attack that could kill them. Darius agreed and made a Dark Contract. Saruto spoke first, without hesitation: "What kind of contract did you make with Adrian?"
Darius burst into a short laugh, then said, "I knew it… I knew you'd start with that question."
A heavy silence fell, then Darius tone changed. "During Adrian reign… you know he wasn't called the Dark Founder from the beginning. He was known as the Good Founder."
"I know that," Saruto said quickly. "Get to the point."
Darius nodded slowly, as if memories were beginning to flood back. "A disaster occurred… in Adrian's palace."
Saruto stiffened. Darius continued, "His wife and daughter were killed… by an unknown assailant, while Adrian was trying to protect his kingdom from enemies."
Saruto eyes narrowed. "Killed…?"
"Yes," Darius continued. "And at the same time… a vile plot was hatched."
Darius raised his hand, as if drawing an invisible map in the air. "The Sand and Star Kings accused Adrian of treason. They said he had planted spies within their kingdoms and that he was plotting to conquer them, to expand his own kingdom at their expense."
"And how could they believe such nonsense?" Saruto snapped.
Darius smiled coldly. "Because someone… was manipulating everyone from behind the scenes. Someone whose identity no one knows yet."
He paused, then continued, "They besieged the castle. A fierce battle ensued. The Dark Kings suffered heavy casualties."
Darius lowered his voice, as if recounting a tragedy. "Adrian wife and daughter were hiding in one of the rooms. He… fought alone against the Sand and Star Kings. He managed to take them down… but he was mortally wounded and collapsed from exhaustion."
Darius closed his eyes for a moment, then said, "Then… he felt something terrifying. He felt his wife and daughter's energy… suddenly vanish. He rushed into the room… and when he opened the door…"
Darius paused. Then, in a low voice, he said, "He found them lying on the floor. A sword embedded in each of their chests. At that moment… everything inside Adrian collapsed."
The air around Darius trembled as he continued, "His energy exploded. His barrier shattered. It reached one hundred percent."
Saruto saw the scene in his imagination. "He cradled his wife and daughter in his arms… blood still flowing from them. But his energy was unstable… it was about to kill him."
Darius raised his head and looked directly at saruto. "And that's when…
I appeared. I offered him a deal."
Darius moved closer. "I will help you get your revenge. I will give you control over your excess energy. In return… you will give me your body, when I need it."
A heavy silence fell. "Adrian wasn't surprised by my appearance. In fact… he was almost expecting me."
Darius continued, "He said to me, 'Very well… I accept. I have nothing left to lose. I've lost my wife and daughter, and my kingdom is on the verge of destruction.'"
Saruto's voice trembled. "And then…?"
Darius said, "I entered his body. His energy settled."
A dark smile then spread across his face. "He formed wings of darkness… and took flight. He annihilated all the enemy soldiers. After the battle… he formed the Asterazin, and went to their kingdoms… and destroyed them completely. But… he stopped."
Darius sighed. "The other kingdoms intervened. He was forced to retreat."
Then, in a low voice, he said, "He returned to his kingdom… and held a funeral." He buried his wife and daughter in the family plot.
He paused for a moment, then added, "And he remained alone in the cemetery, the rain falling on him, gazing at the graves of his wife, Diana, and his daughter, Rose."
Deep down in consciousness, we see Adrian. His body floats in a dark void. His tears fall silently. It's as if he hears his story being told by Darius… and is forced to remember every moment of the horrific incident. He was alive… but he is no longer there.