Chapter 16: The Queen of Ashes
The castle trembled.
Dark energy filled the throne hall like a violent storm. The shadows along the walls twisted wildly, reacting to the overwhelming presence of the two intruders.
The former general stood calmly.
But the woman beside him…
She was different.
Her dark flames burned quietly around her body, yet they radiated terrifying power. Her silver glowing eyes slowly moved across the hall.
Until they stopped on Liora.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"So… you're the one."
Liora felt her heart tighten.
Something about this woman felt dangerous.
Not just powerful.
But cruel.
The Shadow King stepped forward, placing himself between them.
"Leave."
His voice echoed coldly.
The general chuckled.
"You always rush things."
The woman tilted her head slightly.
"So rude."
Dark flames gathered in her palm.
"I came all this way to meet you…"
Her gaze shifted again.
"...and the girl."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed brighter.
"You're not welcome here."
She smiled faintly.
"That's unfortunate."
Suddenly—
She raised her hand.
Dark flames shot across the floor.
The throne hall exploded.
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He blocked the flames with shadows.
But the impact pushed him back slightly.
Liora gasped.
She was strong.
Very strong.
The general crossed his arms casually.
"Allow me to introduce her."
His smile widened.
"The Queen of Ashes."
Liora's breath caught.
The woman bowed slightly.
"A pleasure."
Her eyes glowed brighter.
"Though… I prefer chaos."
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"You shouldn't have brought her."
The general smirked.
"She wanted to meet you."
The Queen of Ashes stepped forward slowly.
Dark flames followed her footsteps.
"So… you're the famous Shadow King."
Her gaze moved across his figure.
"Disappointing."
The air grew heavier.
The Shadow King's darkness surged.
"You talk too much."
She smiled.
"And you look tired."
Her eyes flickered.
"You're weakening."
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed.
"Try me."
Suddenly—
Both moved at the same time.
Darkness and flames collided.
The explosion shook the castle.
Liora stepped back.
The shadow wolf growled beside her.
The Queen of Ashes attacked again.
Her flames twisted like serpents.
The Shadow King blocked.
But her flames burned through some shadows.
His eyes sharpened.
"Interesting."
She smirked.
"I burn darkness."
The general watched quietly.
Enjoying the battle.
The Shadow King attacked.
Dark claws formed.
She dodged smoothly.
Then—
She struck his side.
Dark flames exploded.
He slid back slightly.
Liora's heart raced.
She was pushing him back.
The Queen of Ashes laughed softly.
"You really are weaker."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed fiercely.
Dark wings formed behind him.
His villain aura returned.
The air trembled.
The Queen of Ashes smiled wider.
"There it is."
The battle intensified.
Darkness exploded.
Flames roared.
The throne hall cracked.
Liora watched nervously.
But suddenly—
The general moved.
He appeared behind Liora.
Her eyes widened.
Before she could react—
Dark chains wrapped around her.
She gasped.
The shadow wolf jumped forward.
But the general kicked it aside.
"Liora!"
The Shadow King turned instantly.
His eyes widened.
The Queen of Ashes attacked at that moment.
Her flames struck him directly.
He was thrown back.
The general smirked.
"You're distracted."
Liora struggled.
"Let me go!"
The chains tightened.
Her light flickered.
The general leaned closer.
"So… you're the girl with light."
Her heart pounded.
"You're dangerous."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed violently.
"Release her."
The Queen of Ashes laughed softly.
"So predictable."
She attacked again.
The Shadow King blocked.
But he was forced back.
The general tightened his grip on Liora.
"Come quietly."
Her light suddenly flared.
The chains cracked slightly.
The general's eyes widened.
"Interesting."
Her light grew stronger.
The chains broke.
She stepped back quickly.
The general smiled.
"You're learning."
The Shadow King attacked instantly.
He appeared between them.
Darkness exploded.
The general retreated slightly.
The Queen of Ashes stepped forward.
"You care too much."
Her flames surged.
The Shadow King moved faster.
The battle became chaotic.
Then—
The Queen of Ashes looked at Liora again.
Her eyes glowed dangerously.
"You're the problem."
She raised her hand.
Dark flames formed.
Liora's heart raced.
She couldn't dodge in time.
But—
The Shadow King appeared in front.
The flames struck him.
Her breath stopped.
He groaned slightly.
Dark energy leaked.
"Shadow King!"
His eyes glowed darker.
"You shouldn't have done that."
The Queen of Ashes smiled.
"You're losing control again."
The Shadow King's aura exploded.
Darkness filled the hall.
The ground cracked.
Liora felt fear.
His villain side was awakening.
His eyes turned darker.
More dangerous.
He attacked brutally.
The Queen of Ashes blocked.
But she stepped back.
The general narrowed his eyes.
"He's serious now."
The Shadow King moved like destruction itself.
His attacks became ruthless.
Cold.
Violent.
Liora watched nervously.
This was the villain side again.
The Queen of Ashes wiped blood from her lips.
Her smile widened.
"Now… this is fun."
She released massive flames.
The Shadow King countered.
Darkness and flames collided.
The castle trembled violently.
Liora's light flickered.
Her chest tightened.
She felt something strange.
Her power reacting.
The clash grew stronger.
Then—
Her light suddenly exploded.
Bright energy filled the hall.
Everyone froze.
The Queen of Ashes stepped back.
"What… is this?"
The Shadow King looked at her.
His eyes widened.
Liora's light formed wings behind her.
Her eyes glowed softly.
She looked shocked.
"I…"
Her power surged.
The darkness trembled.
The Queen of Ashes frowned.
"So… she awakens."
The general stepped back.
"This is bad."
Liora raised her hand.
Light pushed them back.
The throne hall glowed.
The Queen of Ashes narrowed her eyes.
"This isn't over."
She grabbed the general.
Dark flames surrounded them.
They vanished.
Silence returned.
Liora's light faded slowly.
She collapsed slightly.
The Shadow King caught her.
His expression softened slightly.
"You awakened."
Her breathing was uneven.
"I… didn't mean to…"
He looked at her glowing hand.
"You're getting stronger."
Her heart skipped.
"But… it's dangerous."
He nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Silence filled the hall.
He realized something.
Her power…
Was growing faster than expected.
And that meant—
The day she might face him…
Was getting closer.