Chapter 26: The General of Darkness (Part 1)
The night after the battle felt unusually calm.
Too calm.
Liora stood near the castle window, watching the distant mountains. The sky looked darker than usual, and a faint storm brewed beyond the horizon.
Her mind replayed yesterday's events.
The Shadow King losing control…
His unstable power…
And the fear in his eyes.
She clenched her hand slightly.
"I have to get stronger…"
Her Light Seal flickered faintly, as if responding to her determination.
A knock came from the door.
She turned.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly.
The Shadow King stepped inside.
Her heart skipped.
"You're awake early."
She smiled softly.
"I couldn't sleep."
He nodded.
"...Same."
They stood quietly for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Training today."
She brightened slightly.
"Okay."
The training ground lay quiet under the gray sky.
Cold wind swept across the field.
Liora stood ready.
The Shadow King raised his hand.
"Today… we'll push your limits."
She nodded seriously.
"I'm ready."
He created shadow blades.
They attacked slowly.
She blocked.
Light shield formed.
Stronger.
Faster.
She moved smoothly now.
He increased speed.
She dodged.
Blocked.
Countered.
The Shadow King narrowed his eyes slightly.
"...You're improving quickly."
She smiled.
"Thanks to you."
He didn't respond.
But his gaze softened slightly.
Suddenly—
Her Light Seal glowed.
Her light expanded.
It formed wings behind her.
Both froze.
Liora gasped.
"What…"
The wings flickered.
Golden light spread.
The Shadow King's eyes widened slightly.
"...Your power evolved."
The wings faded slowly.
Liora looked at her hands.
"I didn't mean to…"
"...You're unlocking new abilities."
She smiled softly.
"That's good, right?"
He hesitated.
"...Yes."
But concern remained in his eyes.
Because her power—
Was growing too fast.
Suddenly—
The shadow wolf growled.
The air turned heavy.
The wind stopped.
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...He's here."
A dark portal opened.
A tall figure stepped out.
Wearing black armor.
Cold presence.
Liora felt chills.
"Who…"
The Shadow King's voice turned cold.
"...Kael's general."
The man smiled slightly.
"So… you're the Shadow King."
His gaze shifted to Liora.
"And the Light bearer."
Liora stepped back slightly.
The general bowed slightly.
"I am Darius… General of Darkness."
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"Leave."
Darius chuckled.
"My lord Kael sends his greetings."
Dark energy spread.
The ground trembled.
Liora raised her light instinctively.
Darius smirked.
"Interesting power."
He moved instantly.
Too fast.
He attacked.
The Shadow King blocked.
Darkness clashed.
Shockwave spread.
Liora stepped back.
The battle intensified instantly.
Darius attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
The Shadow King blocked.
But slid back slightly.
Liora's heart pounded.
He's strong…
Darius smirked.
"You've weakened."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed.
He attacked.
Dark blades rained down.
Darius dodged easily.
Liora clenched her hand.
She raised her light.
"Let me help!"
She attacked.
Light burst forward.
Darius blocked.
His eyes narrowed.
"...Annoying."
He moved toward her.
Too fast.
She froze.
Before he reached—
The Shadow King appeared instantly.
He blocked.
Darkness exploded.
The ground cracked.
The battle intensified.
Darius laughed softly.
"This is fun."
He created dark spears.
They shot toward Liora.
She blocked.
Light shield formed.
But cracked.
She's not strong enough…
The Shadow King attacked again.
Darkness clashed.
But—
His power flickered.
Darius noticed.
"You're unstable."
He attacked harder.
The Shadow King slid back.
Liora's heart raced.
No…
Her Light Seal glowed.
Her power surged.
She stepped forward.
Light wings appeared again.
The air glowed.
Darius frowned.
"Interesting…"
She attacked.
Light burst forward.
Darius blocked—
But stepped back.
First time.
The Shadow King noticed.
"...Your power…"
She focused harder.
Light gathered.
Brighter.
Stronger.
Darius narrowed his eyes.
"Enough."
He raised his hand.
Dark storm formed.
It rushed toward them.
The Shadow King blocked.
Darkness clashed.
The entire field trembled.
The battle reached another level.
Chapter 26: The General of Darkness (Part 2)
The dark storm rushed forward like a tidal wave.
The Shadow King stepped in front of Liora instantly. Darkness exploded from his body, forming a massive barrier.
The two powers collided.
The air trembled violently.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Liora's heart pounded as she watched.
Darius smiled coldly.
"You're protecting her again."
The Shadow King's voice turned icy.
"...Try touching her."
Darius laughed softly.
"Your weakness is obvious."
He raised his hand again.
Dark chains burst from the ground.
They rushed toward Liora.
Too fast.
She reacted quickly.
Light wings formed again.
She leaped back.
The chains barely missed her.
Her breathing grew heavier.
Her power consumed too much energy.
Darius noticed.
"You're still inexperienced."
He moved instantly.
Appearing in front of her.
She froze.
Before he could strike—
The Shadow King attacked.
Dark blade cut across.
Darius blocked.
Their powers clashed again.
Shockwave spread across the training ground.
The shadow wolf barked loudly from the distance.
The guards rushed toward them but stopped.
The battle was too dangerous.
Liora clenched her hand.
"I have to help…"
Her Light Seal glowed brighter.
Warm energy flowed through her body.
She stepped forward again.
"Shadow King!"
He glanced at her briefly.
"Stay back."
She shook her head.
"No."
Her light gathered.
Stronger than before.
Golden light filled the field.
Darius narrowed his eyes.
"...Your power is growing too fast."
She attacked.
Light shot forward like a beam.
Darius blocked—
But slid back several steps.
His expression changed slightly.
The Shadow King noticed.
"...Good."
Liora focused harder.
Her light wings spread wider.
The air shimmered.
She attacked again.
Darius created a dark shield.
The light struck.
Cracks formed on the shield.
Darius frowned.
"Impressive… but not enough."
He raised his hand.
Dark spear formed.
He threw it.
The spear rushed toward Liora.
Too fast.
She tried to block—
But her shield cracked instantly.
Her eyes widened.
Before impact—
The Shadow King appeared.
He blocked the spear.
But—
The spear pierced his shoulder slightly.
Liora gasped.
"Shadow King!"
Dark blood fell to the ground.
Darius smirked.
"You hesitated."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed dangerously.
Darkness surged violently.
The ground trembled.
His aura grew unstable again.
Liora felt it immediately.
No… he's losing control…
The Shadow King attacked.
Faster.
More violent.
Dark blades filled the sky.
Darius blocked—
But stepped back.
The Shadow King attacked again.
Darkness exploded.
The training ground cracked.
Liora stepped back.
She had never seen him so furious.
Darius laughed softly.
"That's better."
The battle intensified.
Both clashed repeatedly.
Shockwaves spread.
The castle trembled slightly.
Liora clenched her hand.
Her Light Seal glowed brighter.
She stepped forward.
Light gathered.
She aimed carefully.
"Now!"
She released her power.
Light burst forward.
Darius turned—
Too late.
The light struck him.
He slid back several meters.
His armor cracked slightly.
Silence fell.
Darius looked at the crack.
Then—
He smiled.
"Interesting…"
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"Leave."
Darius laughed softly.
"My lord only wanted to test you."
Dark portal opened behind him.
"But next time…"
He looked at Liora.
"I'll take you."
He stepped into the portal.
Darkness vanished.
Silence returned.
Liora breathed heavily.
"It's over…"
The Shadow King lowered his hand.
But suddenly—
His darkness flickered again.
He staggered slightly.
Liora rushed forward.
"You're hurt."
"I'm fine."
She looked at his shoulder.
The wound remained dark.
"It's not healing…"
He remained silent.
She raised her hand.
Her light appeared.
"I'm going to heal you."
"No—"
Too late.
Her light touched his wound.
Warm glow spread.
The darkness around the wound calmed.
Slowly—
The wound closed.
He looked surprised.
"...You can heal now."
She smiled softly.
"I guess…"
But suddenly—
She swayed.
He caught her instantly.
"You used too much power."
"I'm okay…"
But her voice sounded weak.
He lifted her again.
She blushed faintly.
"You carry me a lot…"
"...You're always collapsing."
She smiled weakly.
The shadow wolf followed quietly.
The guards relaxed slowly.
But the Shadow King's expression remained serious.
Because—
Kael sent his general already.
That meant—
War was coming.
Far away—
Darius kneeled before Kael.
"My lord."
Kael looked at him.
"So?"
Darius smiled slightly.
"She's stronger than expected."
Kael's eyes glowed.
"Good."
He stood slowly.
"Prepare the army."
Dark lightning flashed.
"This time…"
"The Shadow Kingdom will fall."
Back at the castle—
The Shadow King stood by Liora's bed.
She slept peacefully.
He looked at her quietly.
"...You're getting stronger."
But his eyes turned dark.
Because the stronger she became—
The closer they moved—
Toward their tragic fate.