The night following Yamikuro's execution sentence.
Yamikuro woke up in the middle of his sleep, trying to look at the time. It felt like he had slept in because of how abruptly it happened.
But instead of his dorm room, he was back at the library with towering bookshelves.
And so was Honor, with his long white hair, white lips, and purple eyes, who was still writing.
Honor seemed to put a dot at the end of a sentence and glanced at Yamikuro.
"Ah, we meet again, Asaki."
Yamikuro pushed himself up from the ground.
"Hi... Why am I in here again?"
Honor hinted that Yamikuro should sit in front of him with a hand gesture.
"I invited you in here. You see, I've been watching... You can't suppress the Darkness forever. Even in your fight against Lucian Daichi, you were forced into using it. You are the Darkness, and the Darkness is you."
Yamikuro sat down, raising an eyebrow. He was never good with riddles like that.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Honor just smiled.
"The Darkness is hatred, you should know that much. Rest, you'll have to figure out yourself if you wish to continue down this path."
He then dropped his pen on the table and leaned forward.
"But now, let's get into why I actually summoned you here."
"You are currently in a mess. Unable to command the Darkness perfectly, even if you wanted to. And now elites within The Hideout want you executed."
A sad tone escaped Yamikuro's lips.
"I already know... Why are you telling me all this?"
Honor noticed the depression in the air. But he had to push Yamikuro.
"You have proven to me that you're determined to fight against the unjust, and that's why I'm willing to help you train the Darkness."
Yamikuro raised his head from the ground.
"Train...?"
Honor nodded, with a slight smirk.
"I know the Darkness better than anyone else."
Yamikuro ignored that attempt at trying to lighten the mood. He ran his hand across his face and sighed.
"What even is the Darkness? It's hatred... But what does that mean? First, it was a god coming after me, then you, and now Caelum. Why is everyone so interested in it?
"I'll keep it straight with you. The Darkness was created of hatred and has possessed people for generations, going from host to host. Typically, it ends with the Darkness gaining control of its host, and it can communicate with them. Your soul is strong, one of the strongest, so it's been a slow process, but it has already made contact with you. I'm sending you to meet the Darkness, get to know it. Use it as a blessing, not a curse."
Yamikuro's chest tightened.
"Meet the Darkness...?"
Honor nodded.
"With a flick of my finger, I can manipulate this world. And you'll be in front of the Darkness alone."
Yamikuro thought on it.
If he could command the Darkness, that would mean he could fight back against others.
At that moment, he was in desperate need of power. If Lucian were to challenge him again, or someone from the elite ranks hunted him down, what would he do then?
Yamikuro made up his decision.
"Alright. I'll do it."
With a smile, Honor flicked his finger.
"I believe that you'll be the first to find the answer..."
And just like that, Yamikuro found himself in darkness.
The ground beneath him was wet.
It was quiet.
But then, a deep voice spoke out.
Its laughter echoed in this void.
"Yamikuro Asaki... The host of my power. You've come here to gain control of me, haven't you?"
Yamikuro didn't feel the need to answer the Darkness. He clenched his fists, hoping to stay on guard.
But suddenly the area lit up.
It was still dark, but there was a dim purple light above them.
And in front of Yamikuro stood the Darkness, in Yamikuro's body.
It was like he looked at a mirror.
The person was Yamikuro, but corrupted by the Darkness.
"What's with that look? I thought you were trying to gain control of me." It sneered.
"I am."
The Darkness grinned.
"Really, now? I don't give away my power for nothing. It comes with a cost... If you beat me in a duel, I'll grant you my abilities."
But then its expression turned serious.
"...If you fail, I'll take over your soul."
There was a second of silence between them.
"Let's begin!" The Darkness yelled.
The water splashed, and the Darkness lunged at Yamikuro.
Yamikuro was kicked backwards, onto his back.
"What point is there for someone as weak as you to control my power. Worthless." The Darkness taunted.
Yamikuro kept lying on his back, staring into the endless void above them.
He felt stupid for agreeing to fight unprepared.
He was weak.
So why? Why was he pushed to take on challenges like these?
Just an average high schooler. That's all Yamikuro was.
He didn't understand why the Darkness stood in front of him.
Why he killed a god.
Why Lucian Daichi wanted to fight him.
Why Caelum saved him.
Why Kaminari cared.
Why Rye gave him a warning.
Why... why... why...?
Why was everyone around him preparing him for something… he didn't even ask for?
And now Honor threw him in front of the Darkness with a smile and confidence.
Yamikuro wanted to return to when he was alone, eating microwaved dinner, hanging out with just one person, Elara. Mocking Lucian without a worry, fighting with Hunters.
Things had escalated way too quickly.
But was it too late to give up?
If Yamikuro died here, what would happen to the world? The Darkness?
Would it break free and kill everyone?
Just like from back then.
Yamikuro's memories of that dream returned—
No.
It wasn't a dream; that night really happened.
Somehow, Yamikuro appeared in that world, and he matched the Darkness' speed and strength.
The very same Darkness before him.
He just had to find the strength within him that he once had.
Yamikuro closed his eyes.
The Darkness didn't move. He watched, hoping Yamikuro would entertain him.
The water started to react near Yamikuro.
Excitement filled the Darkness' chest.
"...Even if the Darkness is all I have left… It's still me using it. I'm not a puppet. I'm Yamikuro Asaki."
He stood.
"I didn't forget it. I just didn't want to remember. But now I do. That night… that power… it was real."
The Darkness tilted its head.
"What are you rambling about?"
Yamikuro stared him down, his voice steady now.
"I don't feel hollow anymore. For once, the sadness isn't what's driving me. I am."
The Darkness spread open his arms.
"Entertain me then, wielder of my power."
Water splashed beneath Yamikuro's feet—
Boom!
His fist clashed with the Darkness' palm.
A wide, inhuman smile appeared on the Darkness' face.
"It's like from back then... That night, when I found you as my host. The night I killed The Legends. You've finally found the strive you once had!"
"The power is not only affected by one's heart but their strive to fight, their motivation to keep going... And you've found it."
The Darkness pushed Yamikuro away.
"Let us fight for real this time. Just like from back then."
Yamikuro wiped water off his face.
"I won't... Can't lose here! I'll take control of you and your power!"