Aiden pushed his sword all the way, piercing both Vale and Ravan through their hearts without even a moment of hesitation.

"Ah... oh, so that's how it is," Ravan coughed, blood spilling from his mouth as he loosened his grip on Vale.

Vale slipped from Ravan's hold and fell to the ground, clutching his wound with trembling hands.

"Are you okay, Vale?" Aiden asked, bending down to check on him.

Ravan, struggling to believe what had just happened, thought, "He didn't even hesitate for a second. Just who is this boy? I've never seen someone his age ready to shed blood so easily. He's not a normal ant. If I leave him alive today, he will become my greatest enemy. His power already surpasses mine; he only lacks experience and mentality."

As Vale healed his wounds, Aiden left him to recover and approached Ravan with his sword ready for another attack. Ravan dodged Aiden's strikes, and their battle became an intense close-combat duel of swords and fists. Aiden succeeded in striking Ravan's wound again, causing blood to flow freely.

"What's your name, boy?" Ravan asked, his voice dripping with malevolence.

"...I'm not telling my name to someone like you."

"A person like me, huh?" Ravan smirked and sat down, confusing Aiden. "Boy, you're at a very early stage of life. Evil, villain, enemy—they're nothing but constructs for humans and other beings to unite against a common foe. A villain is a human, just like a hero. It's all about perspective. Sacrifice everything to save others, and they might not even accept you. Protest, and suddenly you're the villain. Obey, and you're the hero. You can be a hero to some and a villain to others... But I, I am my own hero, the only hero."

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"Lies and guilt can shape you into either a hero or a villain," Vale interjected, his voice pained. "If your guilt stems from losing someone, you might become a hero by saving others or a villain by inflicting the same pain you endured."

"Guilt? Oh, your guilt, Vale. What was it?" Ravan taunted, trying to provoke Vale. "Killing your own friend? Destroying a whole universe? Or was it leaving her to wait for you?"

"Ravan!" Vale shouted, his anger palpable. Using his teleportation ability, Vale appeared in front of Ravan and grabbed him by the neck with murderous intent.

Ravan smiled, his voice muffled. "Oh, I guess I hit the bullseye."

"Aiden, attack him again!" Vale communicated telepathically.

Aiden nodded in agreement. "You're still so naive, Vale," Ravan coughed. "Come forth, my army."

Suddenly, nearly 1,000 skeleton warriors appeared around them.

"Vale, you still can't figure out who the real me is," Ravan taunted, emerging from the middle of the skeletal horde.

The Ravan whom Vale was holding smirked. "See you later, Vale," and vanished.

"Oh, so this was your plan all along?" Vale chuckled.

"Aiden, that's your name, isn't it?" Ravan sneered. "Shall I tell you a secret, boy? This skeleton army is composed of the remains of the humans who died here today."

"What…? No, that's impossible!" Aiden shouted, horrified.

"Don't believe me? Ask your guardian, Vale." Ravan pointed, and Aiden saw Vale's guilty face.

"There you go. You got your answer," Ravan said. "Now, my army, obey my command and destroy them."