Umbra and Selene walked side by side through the bustling streets of the town, the quiet aftermath of the bar incident lingering in their thoughts. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced at their feet. Selene couldn't help but glance at Umbra, replaying the scene from the bar in her mind.
"I still can't believe how easily you handled that guy," Selene said, her voice tinged with admiration. "He was huge, and you tossed him like he was nothing."
Umbra remained silent for a moment, his eyes scanning the crowd ahead. He felt a strange emptiness—a disconnect from the world around him. The people here, the threats they posed, it all felt... insignificant.
"Selene," Umbra began, his tone distant, "this world... it's weak."
She looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Umbra paused, watching as a group of rowdy townsfolk tried to show off their strength by lifting a heavy barrel. They struggled and strained, and when one finally managed to lift it a few inches, the others cheered as if it was a monumental achievement.
"I used to be able to destroy entire universes with a mere thought," Umbra said, almost as if speaking to himself. "Back then, power was measured on a cosmic scale. But here... these people, they fight for scraps of strength that wouldn't even register where I come from."
Selene frowned, sensing the weight of his words. "But what you did in that bar was still impressive. To them, you're like a force of nature."
Umbra shook his head. "Impressive to them, maybe. But nothing here poses a real challenge. Nothing here is strong enough to matter."
As they continued walking, Umbra's thoughts turned inward. The world he now found himself in was filled with people who considered feats of minor strength to be great. But to Umbra, who had once wielded the power to reshape realities, these displays were almost laughable.
"But," Selene said, trying to lift his spirits, "maybe there's a reason you're here now. Maybe this world needs someone like you to guide it, to protect it from whatever else is out there."
Umbra considered her words. "Perhaps. But first, I need to regain my strength. Without drawing too much attention."
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion in the distance. A crowd had gathered at the edge of the town, murmuring in fear and awe. Umbra and Selene exchanged glances before making their way toward the source of the disturbance.
When they arrived, they saw a portal swirling with dark energy, hovering just above the ground. It pulsed with an ominous power, unlike anything the townspeople had ever seen. A figure stepped through, cloaked in shadows, their face obscured by a hood. The air around them crackled with energy.
"Who dares disturb this realm?" the figure's voice echoed, sending shivers down the spines of those who listened.
Umbra stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
The figure tilted their head slightly, as if amused. "I am a messenger, sent to seek out the one known as the True King."
Selene gasped, glancing at Umbra. "That's you!"
The figure continued, "The time has come for you to fulfill your destiny, True King. The fate of not just this world, but all worlds, hangs in the balance."
Umbra's eyes darkened, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I already know what's at stake. And I know every world that exists. There is nothing new you can tell me."
The figure raised a hand, and the portal behind them shifted, revealing glimpses of other planets—some vibrant and full of life, others desolate and war-torn. "These worlds are in peril. Forces are stirring, and only you have the power to stop them. But to do so, you must leave this place and journey to where your true strength lies."
Umbra felt a familiar pull, a call to arms that he had long since accepted. He met the figure's gaze, unfazed. "There's nothing in any world that is too strong for me. I am the One True King, and I already know what I must do."
The figure seemed to study him for a moment before nodding. "Indeed. But even a king must choose his battles wisely."
Selene stepped forward, her voice firm. "If he's going, I'm going with him."
The figure nodded again. "Very well. But be warned—the path ahead will test your resolve, and the enemies you will face will be numerous, though none may match your strength."
Umbra glanced at Selene, seeing the determination in her eyes. She was ready, just as he was.
"Then let's not waste any more time," Umbra said, his voice steady. "Lead the way."
With that, the figure turned and stepped back through the portal. Umbra and Selene followed, leaving behind the town and its mundane struggles. As they stepped through, Umbra felt a surge of energy—a reminder of the power he once wielded and would soon reclaim.
On the other side, they found themselves on a new planet, the air thick with an unfamiliar, potent energy. The landscape was alien, with towering crystalline structures and a sky that shimmered with hues of green and gold.
Umbra took a deep breath, feeling his senses sharpen. This was a world where strength mattered—a world where he could once again test the limits of his power. But he also knew that, as the One True King, there was nothing that could truly challenge him.