Restoring my memories was one thing.
My bloodline and powers—that was another entirely.
It was punishment for my past ignorance, my arrogance—for disregarding my father's warnings back then.
He told me not to accept.
And after I accepted, he told me not to go alone—that it could be a trap.
But in my urgency for strength, in my obsession with my family name, I thought myself invincible.
I believed no one would dare to harm me, fearing the rage of my family.
I was wrong.
They feared something far more than my family's wrath.
They feared my potential.
I learned my lesson.
And I will return—stronger than ever.
But there is no need to rush.
Let the journey unfold.
Let me enjoy it.
I glance at my shadows, standing in silent formation.
"Follow me."
I stride toward the edge of the last floor, my shadows moving as one—forming a circular defense, with Merlin positioned at my rear.
They take protecting me very seriously.
Good.
At the floor's edge, there's a drop below—one others wouldn't even notice.
Not without my eyes.
Not without the sight of an Origin.
I see all.
No type of energy is hidden from me.
The power of the Origin was used to create all things—especially worlds.
It is part of the world's essence itself.
It is undetectable, like water shifting in the middle of an ocean.
I reach the seal.
Then, without hesitation—
I phase through it.
Before me, chained and broken, lies the true Black Dragon.
Bound.
Drained of its power.
A mere puppet, used to generate weaker duplicates for the last floor's boss fights.
A being of devastation, reduced to fuel—his strength siphoned every time a new spawn is created.
I step forward, and he doesn't notice me.
Not yet.
The constant energy drain numbs him to everything else, like a beast drowning in an eternal abyss.
But the moment I introduce myself, that will change.
"Hi there. Nice to meet you, Black Dragon."
The dragon stirs, startled beyond measure.
His eyes widen, pupils narrowing to slits.
He senses my aura.
For the first time in centuries, his instincts flare—warning him of a presence far beyond his understanding.
"Who... are you?"
"What... are you?"
"How... are you here?"
His voice carries suffering, layered in pain from endless energy depletion.
But within that suffering—
There is wariness.
"The name is Sora Origin. Nice to meet you."
"As for your other questions—I can't be bothered to answer."
I smile, standing before him like he's nothing more than an insect.
The hall trembles.
His rage ignites.
"INSOLENT HUMAN—HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT?!"
"DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE YOU ARE STRONGER THAN ME JUST BECAUSE YOU KILLED THAT WEAK DUPLICATE?"
"IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS SEAL, I WOULD HAVE TREMORRED THIS WORLD!"
My smile widens.
"Oh no—I don't think I'm stronger."
"I know I am."
"This power you call yours? It is mine."
"You are created from Origin energy—you belong to me."
"All shall return to me."
"You will be my ticket to the Immortal Realm—but not yet."
"I have business to attend to in this world first."
"When I am done, I will come for you."
"So wait for me, little pet—your future lies with me."
"Whether it's your power or your soul—you will serve me."
I turn away, disregarding his rage-filled roars.
His fury means nothing to me.
His hatred is irrelevant.
He is already mine.
I teleport back to the boss floor, rejoining my shadows.
Now, it's time to assess my new warriors.
Jarvis did an excellent job selecting them.
"Rise, all of you."
They rise, forming a unified stance.
I examine my newest shadows:
Scorpion – Dressed in Mortal Kombat 11's trailer outfit.
Subzero – Wearing the classic blue ninja garb.
Kenshi – Cloaked in black armor with red accents, a dragon sash, and his signature red bandana over his eyes.
A message appears before me—
A prompt requiring me to name them.
I had nearly forgotten that new shadows needed names, even if they once had one before.
I smirk.
"Step forward, Hanzo, Subzero, Kenshi."
"Keep your original names—but Hanzo, I prefer you as Hanzo, not Scorpion."
As I utter the command, I pour Origin energy into all of my shadows—including those already named.
[Origin Energy Detected]
[Updating chosen shadows to match the Master's realm.]
[Their stats will always reflect 90% of the Emperor's total power.]
That's ideal.
Now, I don't have to worry about my shadows lagging behind as I grow stronger.
At least, for these six—they will remain at my side, nearly equal in might.
"Okay—time to go home."
"Back to Hestia."
"But first—collect all the crystals dropped* by the monsters you killed."*