Chapter 17: The Power That Frightened Even Darkness
The throne hall was still trembling.
Fragments of stone fell from the cracked ceiling. The shadows along the walls moved slowly, trying to calm after the violent battle.
Liora stood in the center, breathing unevenly.
Her hands still glowed faintly.
The light wings behind her had disappeared, but the warmth remained.
She looked at her hands in shock.
"I… did that?"
The Shadow King stood a few steps away, watching her silently.
His expression was unreadable.
But inside—
He was concerned.
Very concerned.
Her power had grown too quickly.
And that wasn't normal.
"Liora."
His voice was low.
She looked up.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly.
"I think… so."
But her legs trembled slightly.
He walked toward her.
Before she could react—
She lost her balance.
Her body leaned forward.
He caught her instantly.
Her heart skipped.
"I… I'm fine…"
But she didn't move away.
Her breathing was still uneven.
He looked at her glowing hand.
"...Your power awakened faster than expected."
Her chest tightened.
"Is that bad?"
Silence lingered.
"...Yes."
Her heart sank.
"Why?"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Because fast growth usually means… unstable power."
Her breath trembled.
"Unstable?"
He nodded.
"You might lose control."
Her heart raced.
"...Like you?"
Silence filled the hall.
He didn't deny it.
That alone was enough.
Her chest tightened.
"I don't want that…"
He looked at her quietly.
"You won't."
She looked up.
His voice softened slightly.
"I won't let that happen."
Her heart skipped again.
Before she could respond—
Suddenly—
A loud growl echoed through the hall.
The shadow wolf jumped forward instantly.
Both of them turned.
The ground trembled again.
Liora's heart raced.
"Again?"
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed.
"...No."
The floor cracked.
Dark energy leaked from beneath.
His expression darkened.
"...The seal."
Liora's eyes widened.
"The crystal?"
He nodded.
"It was damaged during the battle."
The ground shook violently.
A crack formed across the hall floor.
Dark mist rose slowly.
Liora stepped back.
Her light flickered.
The crack widened.
Then—
A dark claw emerged.
Her breath stopped.
"What… is that…"
The claw pulled itself out.
A massive shadow creature rose slowly.
Its body was made of darkness.
Its eyes glowed red.
The air turned cold instantly.
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...Abyss Spawn."
The creature roared.
The entire castle shook.
Liora stepped back.
Her heart pounded loudly.
"It's huge…"
The creature looked at her.
Its eyes glowed brighter.
The Shadow King's eyes widened slightly.
"...It's targeting you."
The creature lunged.
Liora froze.
Before it reached her—
The Shadow King appeared in front.
Darkness exploded.
He blocked the attack.
The impact pushed him back slightly.
The creature roared again.
Liora's heart raced.
"It's strong…"
The Shadow King attacked.
Dark blades formed.
They cut through the creature.
But—
It regenerated instantly.
His eyes narrowed.
"...Regeneration."
The creature attacked again.
He dodged smoothly.
But the creature moved fast.
Too fast.
The battle intensified.
Liora watched nervously.
The creature suddenly changed direction.
It rushed toward her again.
Her eyes widened.
She raised her glowing hand.
Light burst forward.
The creature recoiled slightly.
But it didn't stop.
"Liora!"
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He attacked from behind.
Dark claws tore through the creature.
It roared violently.
The ground cracked further.
Dark mist spread.
More claws appeared.
Liora's breath caught.
"There's more…"
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...Multiple spawns."
Several shadow creatures crawled out.
The throne hall filled with monsters.
The shadow wolf growled fiercely.
Liora's light flickered stronger.
Fear filled her chest.
"We can't fight all of them…"
The Shadow King's darkness surged.
"I'll handle them."
He moved instantly.
Dark wings formed.
His attacks became ruthless.
Cold.
Violent.
Monsters fell.
But more appeared.
Liora's heart raced.
They were endless.
Suddenly—
One creature slipped past him.
It lunged toward her.
She stepped back.
Her light flared.
The creature pushed forward.
She couldn't hold it.
The shadow wolf jumped forward.
It bit the creature.
But was thrown aside.
Her eyes widened.
"No!"
The creature reached her.
Suddenly—
Her light exploded.
Bright wings formed again.
The creature was pushed back.
The entire hall glowed.
The monsters hissed.
The Shadow King froze slightly.
Her power had grown again.
The light spread.
The creatures slowed.
Liora's eyes glowed softly.
Her voice echoed faintly.
"Stop…"
The light intensified.
The creatures trembled.
The darkness weakened.
The Shadow King's eyes widened.
"...Purification…"
Her power began destroying the creatures.
They screamed silently.
One by one—
They vanished.
The light filled the hall.
Silence followed.
Her wings faded slowly.
She collapsed.
The Shadow King caught her again.
Her breathing was weak.
"I… did it…?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Her eyes closed briefly.
"I'm… tired…"
He looked at her quietly.
"...You overused your power."
He lifted her gently.
She rested against him.
Her heart beat softly.
The shadow wolf followed behind.
He carried her toward her room.
The castle slowly calmed.
But his mind didn't.
Her power…
Was becoming more dangerous.
And something else worried him.
The creatures—
They had targeted her specifically.
That meant—
Something deeper was happening.
He reached her room.
He placed her gently on the bed.
She slowly opened her eyes.
"Shadow King…"
He looked at her.
"Yes."
Her voice was soft.
"Did I… scare you?"
Silence lingered.
He didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"...Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"Because…"
He looked at her glowing hand.
"Even darkness… fears your light."
Her heart skipped.
She smiled faintly.
"I'm glad…"
He looked at her.
"Why?"
Her voice softened.
"Because… maybe… I can protect you."
Silence filled the room.
His chest tightened slightly.
No one had ever said that to him before.
He turned slightly.
"...Rest."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay…"
Her eyes slowly closed.
She fell asleep.
He stood beside her quietly.
Watching.
Protecting.
But deep inside—
He knew something.
The stronger she became—
The closer they moved toward their fate.
And soon—
She wouldn't just protect him.
She might become—
The only one who could destroy him.