Chapter 17
Victor's Final Transformation (English)
The sky above the battlefield had turned completely black.
Dark clouds were swirling violently, and lightning flashed across the horizon. The air felt heavy, as if the entire world was holding its breath.
Ran and Mariya stood together on the broken battlefield.
Shattered stone warriors were scattered everywhere. The forest around them had been destroyed during the previous battle.
But the most terrifying thing was standing right in front of them.
Victor.
Behind him, the enormous Dark Crystal was rising from the cracked earth.
Its dark energy spread through the air like poison.
Victor slowly walked forward, his footsteps echoing across the silent battlefield.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
"So… you survived."
Ran tightened his grip on his glowing sword.
"We are here to stop you."
Victor laughed softly.
"Stop me?"
He raised his hand toward the Dark Crystal.
"You are too late."
Suddenly, black lightning burst from the crystal.
The ground trembled violently.
The dark energy began flowing into Victor's body.
Mariya stepped back in shock.
"Ran… something is wrong."
Victor's body slowly lifted into the air.
Dark energy surrounded him like a storm.
His voice echoed across the mountains.
"For centuries this power was sealed…"
"Tonight… it becomes mine."
The Dark Crystal released a massive explosion of energy.
BOOOOM!
A shockwave spread across the battlefield.
Ran and Mariya were forced to shield their eyes.
When the dust cleared…
Victor had changed.
His body had transformed.
Dark wings spread behind his back.
His eyes burned with crimson fire.
Black armor-like shadows covered parts of his body.
He was no longer fully human.
Victor looked down at them with terrifying calm.
"This is my true power."
Ran stepped forward despite the pressure of the dark energy.
"You've become a monster."
Victor smiled.
"Power always comes with a price."
Suddenly he raised his hand.
Shadow energy exploded from the ground.
Hundreds of shadow warriors began rising from the earth again.
Their red eyes glowed in the darkness.
Mariya whispered in disbelief.
"They're endless…"
Victor spread his wings.
"As long as the Dark Crystal exists…"
"My army will never fall."
Ran raised his glowing sword again.
"Then we will destroy the crystal."
Victor's eyes narrowed.
"I would like to see you try."
The shadow army charged forward.
And the final war truly began.
Ran's Ultimate Sword Power
The battlefield erupted into chaos once again.
Shadow warriors rushed toward Ran like a dark wave.
But Ran did not move.
He stood still, gripping his sword.
Blue energy began gathering around the blade.
The Guardian's power was awakening inside him.
Ran whispered quietly,
"Show me your true strength."
Suddenly the sword burst into brilliant light.
The entire battlefield glowed.
Victor watched from the sky, slightly surprised.
"That sword…"
Ran lifted the weapon.
The blade transformed into pure energy.
When the first shadow warrior attacked—
Ran moved.
One slash.
A massive wave of light exploded outward.
BOOOOM!
Dozens of warriors were destroyed instantly.
Ran's speed became unbelievable.
He moved through the battlefield like lightning.
Every strike shattered enemies.
The army that once looked unstoppable was now breaking apart.
Victor frowned.
"So… you have awakened it."
But the battle was far from over.
Mariya's Divine Energy
While Ran fought the army, Mariya felt a different energy inside her.
The crystal in her hand began glowing brighter than ever before.
The Guardian's voice echoed again.
"The temple's heart lives within you."
Mariya closed her eyes.
The wind around her began spinning.
A circle of light formed beneath her feet.
Her entire body started glowing.
When she opened her eyes—
They shone like stars.
Victor looked down in shock.
"That power… impossible."
Mariya raised her hands toward the sky.
"Divine Light… awaken."
A massive pillar of energy shot upward.
The clouds split apart.
Pure light spread across the battlefield.
Shadow warriors began disintegrating instantly.
The power was overwhelming.
Guardian's Final Sacrifice
Suddenly the Dark Crystal began glowing violently.
Victor laughed again.
"You think you've won?"
The crystal released another wave of dark energy.
Even Ran and Mariya struggled to resist it.
Then the Guardian's spirit appeared again.
A glowing blue figure floating in the air.
"My time is ending."
Ran shouted,
"There must be another way!"
The Guardian shook his head.
"To destroy the Dark Crystal… a final sacrifice is needed."
The spirit moved toward the crystal.
Victor realized what was happening.
"No!"
But it was too late.
The Guardian merged with the crystal.
Light and darkness collided.
A massive explosion filled the sky.
BOOOOM!