Chapter 16 – The Battle Begins
The morning sky was dark. The army of shadows stood outside the Sanctuary. Thousands of red eyes stared at the ancient walls. At the front stood the General of Ruin, his giant sword resting on the ground. Inside the Sanctuary, the Watchers prepared for battle. Ji Young stood beside Kael, holding the Lightbound Blade. Its glow was soft but steady.
"Are you afraid?" Kael asked.
Ji Young looked toward the enemy. "Yes."
Kael smiled. "Good. Courage does not mean having no fear. It means standing even when you are afraid."
Ji Young nodded. "I will protect Ji Min."
Behind them, Ji Min stepped forward. "I will fight too."
Ji Young turned toward her. "No. Stay inside."
Ji Min shook her head. "I don't want you to protect me forever. I can protect you too."
Her hands began to glow with golden light.
Kael watched them silently. The siblings were changing. They were no longer the children who had escaped the burning village. They were becoming Guardians.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The Sanctuary barrier shook violently.
The General of Ruin raised his sword.
"Break the barrier."
Thousands of Shadow Beasts charged forward.
The Watchers released their Light weapons. Bright attacks filled the battlefield.
Ji Young ran toward the gate.
"Ji Young!" Kael shouted.
Ji Young turned.
"Remember—your Level 2 strength is not enough to defeat a General."
"I know."
"Then don't try to defeat him."
Ji Young looked confused.
"Survive."
Ji Young nodded and stepped onto the battlefield.
A Shadow Beast attacked.
Ji Young blocked its claws.
Slash!
The creature disappeared.
Another came.
Then another.
Ji Young moved faster than before. His Level 2 power flowed through his body. The Lightbound Blade became brighter with every strike.
But suddenly—
The ground shook.
The smaller shadows stopped attacking.
The General of Ruin began walking toward Ji Young.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Every step created cracks in the ground.
Ji Young's heart raced.
The General stopped in front of him.
"So… you are the boy chosen by the Ancient Blade."
Ji Young raised his sword.
"I won't let you reach the Sanctuary."
The General stared at the blade.
For a moment, his expression changed.
"That sword…"
He remembered the ancient war. A shining king. A legendary warrior. Thousands of shadows falling beneath one brilliant strike.
His eyes narrowed.
"Impossible…"
Ji Young attacked.
The General blocked with one hand.
CLANG!
The force threw Ji Young backward.
He rolled across the ground and quickly stood.
The General looked at him.
"Level 2…"
A cold laugh escaped him.
"You are still nothing."
He raised his sword.
Ji Young prepared himself.
Suddenly—
A golden barrier appeared between them.
Ji Min stood behind him.
"Sacred Barrier!"
The General's sword struck the barrier.
BOOM!
Ji Min was pushed backward.
"Ji Min!"
Ji Young ran to her.
She struggled to stand.
"I'm okay…"
The General looked at them both.
"Interesting."
"Light and Guardian…"
"Brother and sister…"
His eyes glowed brighter.
"The King of Darkness will want you alive."
Ji Young's expression hardened.
"I will never serve him."
The General smiled.
"Then grow stronger."
He lifted his sword.
"Because the next time we meet…"
Dark energy covered the battlefield.
"…I will not hold back."
He disappeared into the darkness.
The Shadow Army followed him.
Silence returned.
Ji Young looked at the Lightbound Blade.
Its glow had changed.
It was slightly brighter than before.
Kael noticed it.
His expression became serious.
"The blade is responding again."
Ji Young looked at him.
"What does that mean?"
Kael looked toward the ancient mountains.
"It means…"
He paused.
"Your real power is beginning to awaken."
Far away, the General of Ruin stood before the King of Darkness.
"My king," he said, "the blade has begun to remember."
The King slowly opened his eyes.
"Then…"
A dark smile appeared.
"The ancient blood has awakened too."