Chapter 15: The Girl Destined to Kill the King
The walk back to the surface felt longer than before.
Liora walked beside the Shadow King in silence. The air between them felt heavier now, filled with unspoken thoughts and uncomfortable truths.
She couldn't stop thinking about his words.
"If I lose control… you must stop me."
Her chest tightened again.
How could she do that?
How could she ever hurt him?
They reached the top of the stairs, and the hallway appeared before them again. The shadows returned to their usual calm movement, but Liora's heart was far from calm.
She finally spoke.
"Shadow King…"
He stopped.
"Yes?"
Her voice felt small.
"Do you really think… I'll have to stop you one day?"
Silence lingered.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked forward, his eyes distant.
"...Yes."
Her heart sank.
"Why?"
His gaze darkened.
"Because the darkness inside me… is growing."
The wind passed through the corridor.
"It has been unstable for centuries," he continued quietly.
"But recently…"
His eyes flickered slightly.
"It's getting worse."
Her breath trembled.
"Because of the Abyss Beast?"
"Partly."
He paused.
"And partly… because of you."
Her eyes widened.
"Me?"
He nodded slowly.
"Your light is awakening something inside me."
Her chest tightened.
"What kind of something?"
He looked at her.
"Something I sealed long ago."
Fear crept into her heart.
"What did you seal?"
Silence.
Then—
"My humanity."
Her breath stopped.
They reached her room.
He opened the door for her.
"You should rest."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay…"
But before she entered—
She turned back.
"Shadow King…"
He looked at her.
"If the day comes…"
Her voice trembled.
"...I don't want to hurt you."
Silence.
His expression softened slightly.
"If that day comes…"
His voice lowered.
"I won't hesitate."
Her heart skipped.
"You mean…"
"I'll stop myself."
Her eyes widened.
"How?"
He didn't answer.
Instead—
He turned away.
And disappeared into shadows.
Leaving her alone.
That night—
Sleep didn't come easily.
Liora lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
The shadow wolf rested beside her quietly.
Her hand glowed faintly again.
Light and darkness swirled together.
She watched silently.
"So… I carry both…"
The crystal's words echoed again.
"You are balance."
Her chest tightened.
Balance…
Did that mean she was meant to choose?
Light…
Or darkness?
Her thoughts drifted.
And slowly—
She fell asleep.
She dreamed again.
But this time—
The dream felt more real.
She stood in the castle.
But everything was broken.
Walls cracked.
Shadows twisted violently.
The sky burned red.
Her heart raced.
"No… not again…"
Then—
She saw him.
The Shadow King.
Standing at the throne.
But something was different.
Dark armor covered his entire body.
His wings were larger.
His eyes glowed violently.
He looked… terrifying.
"Shadow King…"
He turned slowly.
His eyes locked onto hers.
Cold.
Emotionless.
"You came."
Her breath trembled.
"Stop… please…"
He stepped forward.
Darkness spread with each step.
"This world… belongs to darkness."
Her heart broke.
"No… that's not you…"
He raised his hand.
Dark shadows formed around her.
"You are my enemy."
Her breath stopped.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I don't want to fight you…"
He didn't hesitate.
Darkness attacked.
She raised her glowing hand.
Light burst forward.
The two forces collided.
The castle shook.
The sky cracked.
They fought.
Her heart shattered.
She didn't want this.
But she had no choice.
Then—
Her light pierced his chest.
His eyes widened.
Silence filled the world.
He looked at her.
Not with anger.
But with calm.
"...You did well."
Her tears fell.
"No…"
His body turned into shadows.
And vanished.
She woke up suddenly.
Her breath came fast.
Tears still filled her eyes.
"...No…"
She wiped her tears slowly.
"It was just a dream…"
But her chest still hurt.
Because it felt too real.
Morning arrived slowly.
Liora stepped into the hallway.
The castle felt quieter than usual.
She walked slowly.
Then—
She saw him.
The Shadow King stood near the window again.
Looking at the sky.
She approached carefully.
"You didn't sleep either…?"
He glanced at her.
"No."
She smiled faintly.
"Me neither."
Silence filled the space.
Then—
Suddenly—
The castle trembled again.
Her heart jumped.
"What now…?"
Dark energy filled the air.
The Shadow King's expression hardened instantly.
"This presence…"
His eyes narrowed.
"It's him."
Her chest tightened.
"The general?"
He nodded.
"But…"
His gaze darkened.
"He's not alone."
The air grew colder.
A new presence appeared.
More sinister.
More terrifying.
Liora felt it instantly.
Her light flickered.
"What is that…?"
The Shadow King's voice turned cold.
"...Another monster."
The castle gates suddenly burst open.
Dark energy flooded inside.
Two figures appeared.
The former general.
And beside him—
A woman covered in dark flames.
Her eyes glowed silver.
Her presence felt deadly.
The general smiled.
"Good morning, my king."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed.
"You brought company."
The woman stepped forward.
Her voice echoed coldly.
"So… this is the Shadow King."
Her gaze shifted.
Then—
She saw Liora.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh…"
A faint smile appeared.
"So… she's the girl."
Liora's heart raced.
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"Leave now."
The general laughed.
"We just arrived."
The woman raised her hand.
Dark flames appeared.
The castle trembled.
"This will be fun."
The Shadow King's darkness surged.
The battle was about to begin again.
And this time—
The enemy was stronger.
More dangerous.
More deadly.
Liora clenched her fists.
Her light flickered again.
The war…
Had officially begun.