Chapter 12: The Dark Lord's Awakening

Akuma's POV –

A Voice in the Void

Darkness.

Endless. Unforgiving.

I was supposed to be erased, wiped from existence by Zeno's decree.

Yet, within that blinding light, something called out to me.

A whisper, faint at first. Then stronger. Clearer.

"My Lord… our Lord… finally…"

The words echoed, bouncing through my mind like the sound of fate itself.

I felt myself drifting, my body weightless, my soul caught between existence and oblivion.

Was this death? Or something beyond it?

Summoning every ounce of willpower, I focused on the voice.

I reached out.

And suddenly—

Everything snapped into place.

---

Arrival in the Apex Realm

My body hit the ground with a thud.

Pain shot through me—real pain.

I gasped, my chest heaving as I opened my eyes.

A starry sky stretched above me, but unlike anything I'd ever seen. The colors of the cosmos swirled, shifting from deep purples and burning oranges to crimson and gold.

I wasn't in the Null Realm.

I wasn't in any universe I recognized.

I sat up, scanning my surroundings.

The land beneath me was strange—purple soil, cracked and pulsing with energy. Above me, a lime-colored moon hung in the sky, illuminating a city in the distance.

Then—

A voice.

"Oh! Our Lord and savior has finally arrived! Hic Hic We almost lost hope, but here you are! In the flesh!"**

I turned, my gaze hardening.

A woman stood before me, her attire a mix of battle armor and ceremonial robes.

Her eyes—golden and fierce.

Behind her, hundreds of figures knelt—clad in dark garments, their heads bowed in reverence.

I gritted my teeth, attempting to stand—only for pain to surge through my body.

I stumbled but refused to fall.

The woman approached, her eyes filled with concern… and admiration.

"You seem injured, but please, help us!"

---

A Saiyan's Rage

"Where… am I?" My voice was hoarse, but my aura flickered instinctively as I glared at them.

"And who the hell are you people?!"

Silence.

My patience snapped.

I lunged forward, seizing the woman by the neck.

"Speak! Where am I?!"

She gasped, clutching at my arm.

"M-My Lord… w-we… at… Pasuta—"

I tightened my grip. "Speak properly, damn it!"

"Ghk—You're… choking me, you dumbass!"

I blinked, realizing my mistake.

"Ah! Right. Forgive me." I released her, stepping back. "I got caught up in the moment."

She coughed, rubbing her neck before giving me a wry smirk.

"My Lord, you are on Pasuta, home to the fighting races—the Apex Realm."

Apex Realm…?

She continued, her tone turning proud.

"We Saiyans are the strongest race here. While there are a few exceptions, none match our might."

I scoffed. "Yeah? Then why do you need my help?"

Her eyes glowed.

"Because you are different. Your bloodline is purer than any Saiyan before you. But more than that…"

She paused, her golden gaze locking onto me.

"It feels like you're housing our entire race inside you."

I stiffened.

"…What?"

She smiled, stepping closer.

"As the prophecy foretold—you are the Dark Prince, the Lord of Chaos. The one who was destined to fall into the abyss… and rise again."

A heavy silence fell between us.

"…And if I'm not?" I challenged.

Her smirk widened.

"We are never wrong."

---

A Truth I Wasn't Ready For

I scoffed. "You expect me to believe all this crap?"

She chuckled.

"Believe what you want, but our prophecy speaks clearly."

Her expression turned serious.

"'He shall be surrounded by light and darkness, his hair and eyes like silvered steel. He will fall into the deepest abyss, only to rise once more at dusk. But should he fall in love…"

She hesitated, her face turning slightly red.

"…Only chaos and madness shall follow."

I stared at her, unimpressed.

"Sounds like a load of nonsense."

She smiled. "Perhaps. But it led us to you."

She gestured to the warriors behind her.

"We have waited ten generations for your arrival."

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply.

(If what she says is true, then… everything I thought I knew… is wrong.)

She stepped forward.

"You are the God of the Apex Saiyans. You are ours to command, and we are yours to wield."

I clicked my tongue.

"Tch. And if I refuse?"

She grinned.

"You won't."

---

A Saiyan's Answer – The Great Escape

I smirked.

"Alright then. But first…"

She leaned in expectantly.

I teleported away.

"Find me and catch me if you can!"

A second later, I reappeared in the outskirts of the city, leaving Toetta and her followers gaping in shock.

"D-Did he just—?!"

She clenched her fists, her body shaking.

"…I swear I'll break his legs when I catch him."

---

Exploring Pasuta – A World of Warriors

The city before me was nothing like I expected.

Tall obsidian towers stood against the orange sky, and neon lights flickered across floating platforms.

Saiyans—hundreds of them—walked the streets. Some were sparring in midair, while others meditated, their power humming around them.

The soil beneath my feet was purple, pulsing faintly with energy. The air was thicker than any planet I'd been on before.

"A warrior's paradise, huh?" I muttered.

I stepped toward the city gates, but—

"HALT!"

Two guards blocked my path.

Both were Saiyans—taller than me, clad in battle armor. Their power levels… decent, but not impressive.

"State your name and rank!" one of them barked.

I grinned.

"Don't have one."

Their eyes narrowed.

"Then show some form of identification!"

I sighed, cracking my knuckles.

"Alright. How about this—"

My aura flared, sending a wave of pressure crashing over them.

Both guards staggered back, their faces turning pale.

"HAAAAA!!!"

The sky shook. The city's lights flickered.

Every Saiyan in the area turned their heads toward me.

I smirked.

"That good enough for you?"

The guards gawked—before immediately dropping to their knees.

"F-Forgive us, my Lord!! We didn't recognize you!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Now get out of my way."

As I stepped into the city, I couldn't help but grin.

This might not be my universe, but one thing was clear—

It was about to become my playground.

---

Next Time on Ancient Legends…

Akuma's first trial in the Apex Realm!

What secrets does Pasuta hold?

And what truths still lie hidden?

Find out next time on Ancient Legends!