The group sat in stunned silence, the weight of Miko's lineage pressing down on them. Elder Ralnor, sensing the tension, broke the silence.
"You want to know more about your father, Kael, don't you?"
Miko nodded hesitantly. "Yes… I need to know. Who was he? How did he become a hero?"
Ralnor leaned back, his ancient eyes shimmering with nostalgia. "Kael… Ah, where do I begin? He wasn't just a hero—he was a legend. His story is etched in the annals of both the mortal and spirit realms. Let me take you back to a time of chaos, a time when the Spirit Realm itself trembled under the shadow of annihilation."
---
A Hero's Beginning
The room darkened as Ralnor began his tale. The air around them shimmered, and an illusion of the past unfolded—a vivid memory brought to life.
Kael appeared, standing on a battlefield that stretched beyond the horizon. His blonde hair shone like sunlight, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to radiate unwavering determination. His black-and-gold armor gleamed under the dying light of a crimson sky, his cloak billowing behind him. At his side was a sword unlike any other, its blade a mesmerizing blend of black and gold, pulsating with blue and golden energy. On his right shoulder rested a golden dragon, its small, serpentine form coiled and watchful.
Ralnor's voice echoed through the room. "Kael was a warrior born of light and resilience, chosen by the spirits to lead the charge against the greatest threat our realms had ever faced—the Demon King."
---
The Demon King's Rise
The scene shifted, revealing the Demon King atop a massive dragon wreathed in flames. His long black hair cascaded down his back, and his crimson eyes burned with malice. His armor, black and red with jagged edges and skull motifs, exuded an aura of death and despair. In his hand, he wielded a sword forged in the depths of darkness—a blade veined with glowing red lines, a blood-red skull embedded in its hilt.
The Demon King's voice thundered across the battlefield. "Kael, the so-called hero. You stand against me with your pitiful light? Do you not see the futility of your actions? This world belongs to the darkness!"
Kael raised his blade, his voice steady and resolute. "Darkness may spread, but it will never conquer. As long as there is even a spark of light, there will always be hope."
The two warriors locked eyes, their energies clashing violently. The ground beneath them cracked, and the sky above twisted into a vortex of chaos.
---
The Battle Begins
With a deafening roar, the Demon King charged, his dragon spewing torrents of black fire. Kael leapt into the air, his blade igniting with celestial energy. The two clashed midair, the force of their blows creating shockwaves that leveled mountains in the distance.
Kael's voice rang out. "Your darkness is formidable, but it's no match for the unity of light and life!"
He swung his sword, releasing a massive beam of golden and blue energy. The Demon King countered with a slash of his own, a wave of blood-red darkness spiraling toward Kael. The two forces collided, creating an explosion that lit up the sky.
---
Kael's Techniques
Kael landed gracefully, his blade glowing brighter. He extended his hand, and the air around him shimmered as he summoned a constellation of stars.
"Spacial Collapse!" he shouted, and a rift opened in the sky. Stars descended, their brilliance dwarfing even the largest mountains. Each star crashed into the battlefield, obliterating hordes of the Demon King's minions.
But the Demon King was unfazed. With a flick of his hand, he summoned shadows that consumed the stars before they could reach him. His dragon roared, its fiery breath scorching the land.
"You think your tricks can save you, Kael?" the Demon King sneered. "Let me show you true power. Soul Rend!"
A wave of dark energy swept across the battlefield, tearing at Kael's defenses. For a moment, it seemed as though the light would falter.
---
A Clash of Ultimates
Kael gritted his teeth, planting his sword into the ground. "I won't let you win. Not today. Not ever!"
He raised his arms, the golden dragon on his shoulder unfurling its wings. The ground beneath him glowed as he drew power from the very fabric of the Spirit Realm. With a mighty roar, he unleashed his ultimate attack: Celestial Ascendance.
A massive beam of light shot from the heavens, engulfing both the Demon King and his dragon. The earth quaked, and the sky seemed to split apart as Kael's attack carved through the darkness.
But when the light faded, the Demon King stood tall, his armor cracked but his resolve unbroken.
"Impressive," the Demon King admitted, his voice tinged with grudging respect. "But you underestimate the power of death."
He raised his sword, and the shadows around him coalesced into a monstrous form—a fusion of dragon and darkness. The beast roared, shaking the heavens.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword, his blue eyes blazing. "Then let's finish this."
---
The Tale Interrupted
The illusion began to fade, leaving Shin, Miko, and Kuro sitting in stunned silence.
Ralnor sighed, his voice heavy with emotion. "That was just the beginning. The battle raged on for days, neither side willing to yield. Kael's strength and determination were unmatched, but the Demon King's cunning and ferocity made him an equally formidable foe."
Shin leaned forward, his eyes alight with curiosity. "And then what? What happened to Kael? How did it end?"
Ralnor hesitated, a shadow passing over his face. "The end of their battle is shrouded in mystery. Some say Kael defeated the Demon King but at a great cost. Others believe they both vanished, their fates intertwined in a final clash of light and darkness. What is certain is that Kael's legacy lives on—in you, Miko."
Miko stared at the elder, his mind racing. "My father… he was incredible. But if he was so powerful, why did he disappear?"
Ralnor placed a hand on Miko's shoulder. "Perhaps that is a question you are destined to answer yourself."