The dark arena roared with bloodlust.
Once again, Little Dark stood at the center of the Death Ring, facing a towering opponent with four arms and jagged obsidian skin. It was a beast-man cultivator from the Bone Fangs Clan, known for ripping opponents apart with brutal strength.
But Little Dark didn't flinch.
His eyes, black as night, stared calmly ahead as the gong echoed.
The beast-man charged.
Fists like hammers flew toward him. Little Dark dodged, barely avoiding a strike that shattered the ground beneath him. He moved swiftly, striking pressure points and using shadow bursts to flicker from place to place.
Yet this opponent was tougher than most. Stronger. More brutal.
A strike finally connected, sending Little Dark crashing into the stone wall. Pain shot through his ribs—three, maybe four, broken.
He coughed blood.
But even injured, he stood again.
As the beast-man charged once more, Little Dark formed a shadow blade with his bare hands, ducked under the swing, and slashed upward—cutting clean through the chest.
The giant stumbled.
And fell.
The crowd erupted, chanting his name. "Dark Ghost! Dark Ghost!"
But Little Dark collapsed to one knee, blood dripping down his side.
---
Back at the Palace
She was furious.
The Queen paced in her private chamber, muttering, "Why must you fight again and again? You've proven yourself. Who are you trying to impress?"
Little Dark lay on a darkwood bed, wrapped in clean robes, sweat beading on his forehead. "It's not about impressing," he said weakly. "It's about staying sharp."
She sat beside him and pressed her hands gently over his chest. Her palm glowed with dark spiritual energy, and a warm force spread through his body, healing his wounds.
"You're too reckless," she said softly.
"You worry too much," he replied with a faint smile.
She didn't answer. Instead, she placed a cool cloth on his forehead and stayed by his side until sleep took him.
---
Days Later
The pain faded, but something else remained.
A warmth. A softness. Not just in his chest but in the way she looked at him. In the way he found himself watching her longer than he should. In the way silence between them no longer felt awkward, but... peaceful.
One evening, as they sat by the underground lake, she broke the silence.
"You've changed," she said.
"How so?"
"You smile more. You don't carry death in your eyes anymore."
He looked at her. "You're the reason."
She blinked, surprised.
"I used to walk in darkness," he said. "But lately… I see a light. And that light is you."
Her breath caught for just a moment. "Careful with your words, rogue," she said teasingly. "You'll make me fall for you."
"Maybe I want you to."
She looked away, hiding a soft smile. That night, they didn't speak much, but something invisible between them had shifted—like a flame kindled in the dark.
---
Journey Across the Dark Country
The days that followed became a quiet dream.
The Queen decided to show him the Dark Country—the land she ruled. Together, they traveled through hidden valleys and cities carved from black jade. Mortals walked under glowing vines, and children played in warm spirit springs. Despite being underground, the air was fresh, and the skies above were illusion skies, changing from twilight to starlight.
At the City of Stone Flowers, Little Dark watched as dancers painted with glowing ink moved like shadows. He and the Queen ate dark peaches under a soul tree that hummed with old songs.
In the River of Echoes, they sailed through glowing mist while whispering spirits told stories of long-dead heroes. She told him how she'd grown up alone, forced to become strong. He told her how he'd wandered with no name or past.
And at the Silent Grove, they sat side by side, watching illusion-fireflies swirl around them. Her head rested gently on his shoulder. Neither said a word, but both felt it—that soft, undeniable truth blooming between them.
---
The Dark God Temple
One night, as they stood atop the tallest tower of her palace, a shadow appeared beside her.
An elder in black robes knelt and said, "Your Majesty, the Temple is calling."
She turned to Little Dark. "It's time."
They set off the next morning.
The Dark God Temple was a holy place deep within the core of the Dark Country. Built into the bones of a dead world beast, it was said to be the resting place of the Dark God's spiritual image.
Only those chosen could enter.
As they arrived, giant black statues stood guard at the temple gate, their hollow eyes flickering. Inside, dark flames lit the path forward, and the ceiling above showed stars that did not exist.
A chilling wind blew across the stone halls.
They reached the center chamber—a massive altar carved from voidstone. On it rested a shadowy figure—the Spiritual Image of the Dark God. It was not alive, yet it radiated pressure like a mountain pressing down on their souls.
The Queen bowed. "Dark God, I bring offering and a guest."
The statue's eyes glowed.
A deep voice echoed without sound, reaching into their souls. "Child of shadow… come forward."
The Queen stepped onto the altar. The image shimmered, and a dark orb floated into her hands—a new cultivation art blessed by the Dark God himself.
Then the gaze turned to Little Dark.
"You…" the voice trembled. "You do not belong to this time."
Dark energy surged from the statue and slammed into him.
But something happened.
Instead of damaging him… the energy was absorbed.
The statue jolted.
"Impossible," the voice muttered. "You absorbed divine darkness?"
Little Dark stood still, breathing slowly.
"You are…" the voice searched. "A remnant of the Eternal Clan. I see now. Your soul is broken, scattered… but the core remains."
The Queen stepped forward, eyes wide. "What does this mean?"
The Dark God answered, "He is the heir of the Eternal Line… A soul chosen by shadow and flame. But his soul is unstable. If it breaks again, it will be lost forever."
"What must I do?" she asked.
"Stabilize him," the voice said. "Through body, soul, and bond."
She understood immediately. Her face turned red—but she nodded.
"I accept," she said.
---
That night, under the shadowy light of the temple's inner sanctum, something deeper bound them together. Their bond was no longer just desire or warmth—it became part of fate.
Little Dark, now stronger than ever, reached the peak of the Perfect Soul Creation Realm that same night.
He knew the road ahead would be dangerous.
But for the first time, he no longer walked alone.
--[To Be Continued]--