The Eminence of a True Monarch of the Shadows

[Third Person's PoV] 

In Akane's room…

Akane clutched her blanket tightly, twisting and turning in her sleep. "Jin-Woo…" she murmured, tears welling in her closed eyes.

Suddenly, she jolted awake.

"NO!" she cried out, reaching forward as if trying to grasp something—or someone—just out of reach. She sat up in bed, her forehead damp with sweat, her breath coming in heavy gasps.

"Damn it…" she muttered, pressing a hand against her forehead. Dark circles hung beneath her eyes, evidence of restless nights. She squeezed her eyes shut, frustration building inside her.

"What's with these dreams?" she whispered, rubbing her temples. "Ever since Cid turned me into a Ruler… it's been nonstop."

Her thoughts felt like a tangled mess.

"Is this a side effect? Am I the only one dealing with this? Are the others going through the same thing? And… who is Jin-Woo? Why does thinking about him make my chest ache?"

Her fingers curled into fists as irritation crept into her expression. 'So many questions—no answers.'

Swinging her legs off the bed, she hesitated. "Maybe it's time I ask Cid about these memories…"

Then she froze. A sigh escaped her lips.

"No… not right now. It's too late." A pause. "And even if it wasn't, he's busy preparing to deal with the Cult."

With no other choice, Akane slipped back under her blankets, her mind finally clear enough to keep her thoughts to herself.

'I'll try to get some rest… God knows I need it. And please—no more nightmares. I can't stand watching strangers die in front of me, powerless to stop it.'

Curling into a ball, she squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to sleep once more.

---

The Next Day

"Cawn I come?" Celeste asked, her voice full of innocent excitement as she gazed up at Cid. He was in the middle of preparing for the upcoming extermination.

"Why?" Cid replied, not turning to face her. "And use your thoughts—I can hear you just fine."

As he spoke, the black, liquid-like substance of his slime swirled around him, solidifying into his Shadow Garden armor. He could have opted for his Shadow Monarch form, but he chose this one—it carried more symbolic weight.

Celeste pouted cutely, then shared her thoughts with him.

*"Because I wanna see everyone being badasses!"*

Cid's eyes twitched. "Young lady, who taught you to talk like that?" he demanded in a reprimanding tone.

Celeste tilted her head. *"You?"*

"..."

Cid cleared his throat. "Let's just… watch what we say around each other." He sighed. "As for whether you can come or not…"

Celeste puffed up her cheeks.

*"What's the problem? My daddy is the strongest in the entire galaxy—no, the entire universe! I don't have to worry about my safety because my big, strong daddy will keep me safe!"*

She batted her eyes at him, tilting her head for extra effect.

Cid crossed his arms, feeling a smug grin threaten to form—but he quickly sighed in defeat. "Alright, you win. I'll let you manipulate me this one time."

"Yesh!" Celeste cheered, pumping her tiny fist in the air.

She shuffled awkwardly on the bed, planting her feet one at a time before slowly pushing herself up. Her legs wobbled slightly before she turned to face Cid, who watched her in amusement. She spread her arms wide.

*"Change me! Put me in black like the others! And the little mask too! I wanna be a member of…"*

She furrowed her brows, trying to deepen her voice.

"Shaw-dow Gar-denth."

Cid barely held back his laughter at her lisp, raising an eyebrow.

"Pwease?" she added meekly, her eyes pleading.

"…Alright, alright," Cid relented, scooping her up into his arms.

A portion of his slime slithered over her, forming a black-and-gold puffy gown. A black eye mask, outlined in gold, fitted snugly onto her face. A large black rose hair clip fastened itself to the side of her head.

Cid turned her to a large mirror, allowing her to admire her new outfit.

Celeste suddenly covered half of her face with one hand, grinning widely.

"Kukukuku…" she chuckled, her tiny voice filled with mischief.

Cid looked to the side and sighed. 'Just what is wrong with her… Where does she get this from?'

He then glanced at himself in the mirror, falling silent for a moment. Wisely, he chose not to say anything.

With a thought, his hood rose, covering the top of his head, as he fully assumed his Shadow Persona. He then lifted Celeste onto his shoulder, where she clung to the side of his head.

"You ready?"

Celeste puffed out her chest proudly and nodded. *"But before that, Daddy, I have a question."*

"Hm?"

*"Can I be considered a magical girl?"* she asked hopefully. *"I mean, I have a magic dress that puts itself on for me, and I have magic inside me, even if it's sealed… So doesn't that make me a magical girl?"*

Shadow raised an eyebrow at her question, momentarily confused. But seeing the eager look on her face, he answered as earnestly as he could.

"But of course. My daughter is the most beautiful and powerful of all magical girls. Don't you see? We're even going on a mission to stop an evil organization trying to take over the world."

Celeste grinned widely and placed a hand over half her face. "Kukukufufufu," she giggled smugly, attempting a villainous laugh before dissolving into real laughter.

Shadow felt a twitch in his lips. 'Are my weirdo genes hereditary?'

"Come now, my little chunni, we have to leave."

Celeste nodded, then paused. *"Wait, what about my siblings? Aren't they coming too?"*

*"No, they'll stay inside my shadow. I'm practically omnipotent in that space, so I'll be watching over them. If they need anything, I can go to them immediately. The twins have taken a liking to Lucifer so he's also going to be their nanny as well—something he considers his greatest honor. Just like how you've taken a liking to Igris and Beru."*

Celeste nodded in understanding before lightly tapping Cid's head over his hood. Then, with a playful kick to his chest as if riding a horse, she said, *"Alright then, let's go!"*—even making a clicking sound with her tongue.

Shadow glanced at her through the mirror, giving her a blank stare.

Celeste's confidence faltered. "Swrry…" she mumbled sheepishly, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

With a silent command, shadows rose from the ground, enveloping them completely. Darkness swallowed them whole.

---

A Moment Later

When they reappeared, Shadow stood on a platform overlooking a vast army. Below him, hundreds upon hundreds of Shadow Garden members had gathered.

At the front stood The Seven Deadly Sins and The Seven Heavenly Virtues, the leaders of this assault.

The air was thick with murderous intent. Every single warrior bore an expression of pure determination and rage.

Celeste, still in Shadow's arms, shivered slightly. The overwhelming bloodlust made her uneasy. Without a word, Shadow released a portion of his aura, shielding her from the crushing weight of their collective killing intent.

Seeing their faces, Shadow felt compelled to speak.

"Vengeance and retribution," he began, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "Those are the emotions burning deep within your hearts. The pain and suffering you endured at the hands of the Cult have driven you forward. It's the reason you trained until your hands bled. It's the reason you trained until your bones shattered.

When you should have been enjoying your childhood—studying, falling in love, going on adventures—you were instead subjected to torture, experiments, and exile. You were outcasted from the very place you once called home. You were shunned by lies and fairy tales spun by the Cult.

All your misfortune, all your agony… can be traced back to them.

I have watched you all train, not just for revenge, but to ensure no one else suffers as you did.

And now, today is the day you put your training to the test.

Today is the day your blood, sweat, and tears are rewarded.

Today is the day the Cult of Diabolos becomes nothing more than a memory—a fable of old times, long forgotten!!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

The roar of Shadow Garden echoed like thunder.

Weapons were raised.

Waves of mana erupted from their bodies, surging through the room like a storm.

Their blood boiled. Their hearts pounded.

Today was the day they would finally get their revenge.