Chapter 5 : The King of Darkness
The Shadow Beast roared.
The sound shook the entire castle, sending tremors through the dark walls. Liora instinctively stepped back, her heart hammering violently inside her chest.
The creature was enormous—twice the height of the castle gate. Its body twisted like living smoke, forming claws sharper than blades. Its glowing crimson eyes locked onto them like a predator finding its prey.
Liora swallowed hard.
"This… is terrifying…"
The Shadow King stepped forward, placing himself between her and the monster.
"Stay behind me."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
As if facing monsters like this was nothing.
But Liora noticed something.
The shadows around him weren't calm.
They moved violently.
As if excited.
As if… hungry.
The Shadow Beast lunged forward.
Its claws tore through the ground, sending pieces of stone flying everywhere.
Liora gasped.
But before the attack reached them—
Darkness exploded.
The Shadow King lifted his hand.
Shadows burst from the ground like chains, wrapping around the beast's limbs.
The creature roared in pain.
Liora's eyes widened.
His power…
It was overwhelming.
"Return to the darkness," he said quietly.
The shadows tightened.
But suddenly—
The beast broke free.
The chains shattered.
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This one is stronger…"
The beast attacked again.
Faster this time.
Its claw rushed toward him.
He dodged smoothly.
Dark energy gathered around his hand.
He struck.
The beast was thrown backward, crashing into the castle wall.
The ground shook again.
Liora struggled to keep her balance.
He's… so strong…
But then—
Something changed.
The Shadow Beast growled.
Dark energy gathered around its body.
The air grew heavier.
The shadows in the kingdom began to tremble.
The Shadow King's expression darkened.
"It's absorbing the darkness…"
The beast roared again.
Its body grew larger.
Stronger.
More terrifying.
Liora's breath caught.
"Can you stop it?"
He didn't answer.
But his silence gave her the answer.
This creature…
Was dangerous even for him.
The beast charged again.
This time—
Its claw struck his shoulder.
Liora gasped.
"You're hurt!"
Dark blood dripped slowly.
But he didn't react.
Instead—
He grabbed the beast's arm.
Shadows exploded violently.
The beast roared in pain.
He pushed it back.
But Liora noticed something.
His breathing… became slightly heavier.
He was getting tired.
Fear crept into her heart.
If he loses…
What will happen to me?
The beast roared again and charged.
This time—
It aimed at Liora.
Her eyes widened.
It moved too fast.
She couldn't escape.
Before the claw reached her—
The Shadow King appeared in front of her.
The attack hit him instead.
A deep slash cut across his chest.
Liora gasped.
"No!"
He didn't move.
But she saw the pain in his eyes.
Why…
Why protect me?
The beast prepared another attack.
Liora's heart raced.
She couldn't just stand there.
Her hand began glowing.
Golden light flickered again.
She looked at it.
Light…
Maybe I can help…
She raised her hand.
The light grew brighter.
The Shadow King noticed.
"Stop—"
Too late.
The light burst forward.
It struck the Shadow Beast.
The creature screamed.
The darkness around it began dissolving.
"It worked…" she whispered.
But then—
The light spread further.
It touched the Shadow King.
He froze.
His eyes widened.
Pain flashed across his face.
Liora's heart stopped.
"I'm sorry!"
She quickly lowered her hand.
The light faded.
Silence fell.
The Shadow King looked at her.
Something changed in his expression.
Something darker.
Something dangerous.
"You… used light… on me."
Her chest tightened.
"I didn't mean to…"
The shadows around him moved violently.
For a brief moment—
His red eyes glowed brighter than before.
More intense.
More dangerous.
Liora felt fear for the first time.
Not of the beast.
But of him.
Then—
He turned away.
The shadows gathered around him.
With a single motion—
He unleashed his full power.
Darkness erupted violently.
The Shadow Beast was swallowed instantly.
The creature screamed—
Then vanished.
Silence.
The battle ended.
But the atmosphere felt heavier.
More tense.
The Shadow King stood still.
Back facing her.
She hesitated.
"Are you… okay?"
He didn't answer.
Instead—
He slowly turned.
His eyes…
They looked darker.
Colder.
More distant.
"Do not use that power near me again."
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
Her heart sank.
"I'm sorry…"
He stared at her.
For a long moment.
Then—
"You should return to your room."
She nodded slowly.
The distance between them felt different now.
Colder.
More fragile.
As she turned to leave—
She didn't notice the shadow behind him twisting unnaturally.
His hand clenched slightly.
Light magic…
It hurt him.
More than he expected.
But something else troubled him.
The way she looked at him.
Concern.
Not fear.
It stirred something dangerous inside him.
He closed his eyes slowly.
This girl…
She was becoming a problem.
Liora walked silently back to her room.
Her heart felt heavy.
Why did he look at me like that?
Fear crept into her chest.
For the first time…
She felt the distance between them.
Meanwhile—
Deep inside the castle…
The shadows gathered.
They whispered.
They moved.
And at the center—
The Shadow King stood alone.
Dark energy surrounded him.
His eyes glowed.
Cold.
Emotionless.
"Light magic…"
He whispered softly.
The shadows responded.
"You will either save me…"
His voice darkened.
"Or destroy me."
For a moment—
His expression changed.
Dangerous.
Villainous.
Terrifying.
And deep inside the darkness—
Something evil began to awaken.