Zion knew about the awakening of Magic Swords.
El Tesoykve had awakened after separating from Enrite.
As Enrite had predicted, Exceed Rain could gain even more powerful abilities.
“How can I awaken it?”
“You must accept the darkness within me.”
“…That sounds quite different from what I know.”
“Light spreads. My sibling did the same. They became light and emerged from the Magic Sword.”
“But they became human, not just light.”
“My sibling was the Light Magic Sword but couldn’t reflect themselves. Only after becoming human could they truly see themselves.”
Exceed Rain explained calmly as they paced around.
Zion thought for a moment before speaking again.
“Darkness can only exist without light, right?”
“For darkness to take form, nothing must exist. It’s like returning to the beginning.”
“Then I also cease to exist?”
“Darkness always lingers in this world, but it disappears when light is present. It exists and does not exist simultaneously.”
Exceed Rain closed their eyes, sensing the outside world.
Zion's body was still alive, and the Magic Sword users were actively fighting.
Among them, the one with the Flame Magic Sword seemed to be fighting the fiercest battle.
“…You have two choices: go and die as you are, or accept the darkness and grow stronger.”
“You said going back would burden you, right?”
“Yes, if you go back weakened, I will become weaker too, and you will again try to unleash your magic wildly.”
Exceed Rain saw through Zion’s thoughts, responding leisurely.
Zion stared at Exceed Rain for a while before making a decision.
“I trust you. It doesn’t seem like you’re trying to deceive me.”
“I have never lied to you, but why do you trust me?”
“Because you remind me of the White Apostle.”
Zion had doubted Exceed Rain since their first encounter.
The sword had led many users to ruin, causing more sacrifices.
Yet, Exceed Rain’s physical form and voice, down to their essence, reminded Zion of Enrite.
In other words, Exceed Rain was speaking sincerely.
“Indeed, I am their sister.”
“I don’t mean your appearance, I mean the feeling.”
“Feelings might differ. They lived in the light, but I’ve always been here in the dark.”
“No, it’s the same. I can sense light in you.”
“……”
For the first time, Exceed Rain showed a surprised expression and fell silent.
They had always lived with darkness, never encountering light.
Yet, Zion claimed to sense light within this dark Magic Sword.
“So… what should I do?”
“Make the darkness within me yours.”
“By making it mine… you mean you won’t give it willingly?”
“I cannot give it away. Darkness is my power source. I’ve had it since birth and don’t know how to give it away.”
“…What happens to you if I take your darkness?”
“Only my consciousness remains.”
“You won’t die?”
“I don’t have a physical body like you. I cannot experience death.”
Exceed Rain responded enigmatically with a faint smile.
Zion frowned and sighed deeply.
“So, I have to figure it out myself?”
“Exactly.”
“It would be nice if you could be more specific…”
“My sibling didn’t know how to awaken either.”
Zion circled Exceed Rain, contemplating various methods but feeling uncertain.
The opponent was not human nor a beast but the Magic Sword itself.
‘Inside the Magic Sword… I shouldn’t die here.’
Exceed Rain couldn’t die; they had no physical body and existed only as consciousness.
Even if Zion died, there was no guarantee the darkness would be given away.
‘It’s not something I can just take… leaving won’t change anything…’
Zion lowered his gaze, feeling powerless.
Maybe it would be better to fight alongside his comrades without unleashing his magic wildly.
What if he had met Exceed Rain earlier and awakened?
Regret and fear now flooded his mind.
‘I should have trusted my comrades.’
Perhaps joining forces with other Magic Sword users would have yielded better results.
Not rushing headlong might have prevented this downfall.
What made him so impatient?
‘I’m worried about Hanette.’
He was at a paradoxical point.
He wanted Hanette’s help but didn’t want her to get hurt.
So he always kept her behind him, never allowing her close to danger.
His ambition led him to pay the price.
‘I can’t do everything alone.’
Until now, he had tried to lead everything.
Though he could think differently, he chose not to.
Using known information was safer than reckless challenges.
‘Plans failed, so I acted rashly.’
Reflecting on his actions, Zion felt self-loathing.
He needed to appear strong and dependable to Hanette, but he had reached his limit.
Should he find Hanette and suggest they flee together?
‘I’m not skilled. I’ve only relied on Exceed Rain.’
By sheer luck, he wielded Exceed Rain.
He used his environment to elevate himself but held nothing substantial.
Zion Laird was a man filled with lies and deceit, driven by his desires.
‘…I don’t want to die.’
Though he had vowed to risk his life for Hanette, he still wanted to live.
Defeating the Abyssal King meant no return if he died.
Rather than dying a heroic death, he preferred living, even if disgracefully.
‘I want Hanette to stay by my side.’
Zion faced his hidden emotions.
Awakening Exceed Rain wasn’t as important as surviving.
They needed to retreat and seize the next opportunity.
“I will… huh?”
Zion’s eyes widened in surprise.
Pieces of dark purple light emanated from Exceed Rain.
The fragments headed toward Zion, quickly merging with him.
“…You chased light while hiding your darkness.”
Exceed Rain mused, looking at their hands.
Dark fragments emerged from their body.
Who knew Zion Laird’s self-reflection would lead to awakening?
“You wanted to become light.”
Exceed Rain had witnessed the hearts of many users.
They all harbored great malice and desire, and Exceed Rain amplified that darkness.
Thus, their bodies and minds decayed, leading to their demise.
“You clung to light because of your fiancée. You wanted to appear kind and good before her.”
Exceed Rain closed their eyes, peering into Zion’s soul.
Zion Laird, being human, had malice and desire.
Though he had some resistance due to his qualification, he couldn’t completely escape Exceed Rain’s influence.
Had he not pursued light, he might have been swayed by Exceed Rain.
“Do you understand darkness now?”
“…Not at all.”
“You’re not being honest. But since you’ve awakened… you must have realized something.”
Exceed Rain opened their eyes, feeling their senses.
Just as expected, they felt their presence.
Undoubtedly, they were undergoing the same process as El Tesoykve.
“My darkness is now yours. A new Magic Sword will be born.”
“You said only your consciousness would remain.”
“Are you worried about me? You should worry about yourself.”
Exceed Rain’s form began to fade.
Zion watched in silence.
“I have achieved my goal. What about you?”
“…Personally, I respect the White Apostle. They’re strong and trustworthy. You could have been like that.”
“Our personalities differ, so that’s unlikely.”
Exceed Rain smiled gently, imagining Enrite.
It was exciting to think they looked identical.
Until now, they had never known their own form or met their sibling.
“…But I should take care of you.”
“Any last words? I can relay them.”
“Is there a need? I’ll tell them myself.”
“…?”
Zion stared at Exceed Rain, bewildered.
Exceed Rain continued nonchalantly.
“Oh, one thing. You were qualified. Even if you just held the Magic Sword, you’d have awakened your magic… why did you act as you did?”
“What do you mean? Without preparation, I couldn’t have used Exceed Rain.”
“You must transcend providence to awaken a Magic Sword. What did you take from me?”
“Your darkness… the power of Exceed Rain.”
“That’s why you were qualified. Only darkness can accept darkness.”
With those words, Exceed Rain vanished completely.
Zion pondered over those words, thinking of Hanette.
‘I can’t stay here.’
Zion extended his right hand, summoning Exceed Rain.
The blade, once purple, was now navy blue, the hilt imbued with a faint darkness.
Its overall form seemed slightly changed.
‘Darkness…’
Not fully understanding, Zion swung Exceed Rain.
A navy blue trail formed, etching blue and white fragments along the blade.
Simultaneously, a dark backdrop split, creating a new path.
‘What is this? It feels immense…’
“Your life… it never reached me. I will take it.”
The Abyssal King, confident in his victory, drove the Earth Magic Sword towards Zion.
Though Zion had stopped moving, faint magic could still be felt.
Killing him now would ensure an easier advance.
“…Zion?”
A red barrier surged high.
The Earth Magic Sword bounced off, and the Abyssal King instinctively retreated.
Massive magic was concentrated, seemingly ready to explode.
“What are you doing?”
There was no response.
Magic lingered but was dwindling.
Exceed Rain’s blade was now gray, the purple glow gone.
“Answer me.”
The red barrier thickened and roared to life.
The White Apostle was approaching, but it seemed too late.
Even believing in survival, the situation felt hopeless.
That magic, that heart, Zion was gone.
“You promised to protect me…”
Tears glistened in golden eyes.
She should have stayed by his side.
No matter what, she should have stayed close.
He rushed ahead alone, ending up like this.
“I’ll join you.”
Flames burst from her orange hair.
Countless flames, spreading like flower petals but burning everything.
These petals seemed to herald not peace but an end.
“But first… I’ll kill this bastard. Wait a bit longer.”