Chapter 27: The Night of Unspoken Feelings
The night fell quietly over the Shadow Kingdom.
After the battle with Darius, the castle remained tense. Guards patrolled every corridor, and the wind carried an uneasy silence through the dark towers.
Inside her room, Liora slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she noticed was the faint glow of moonlight shining through the window.
The second—
The Shadow King sitting beside her bed.
Her heart skipped.
"You're… still here?"
He looked at her calmly.
"You collapsed."
She sat up slowly.
"I'm okay now."
He watched her carefully.
"You used too much power."
She smiled faintly.
"You were hurt too."
Silence lingered.
She looked at his shoulder.
The wound she healed earlier left a faint mark.
"Does it still hurt?"
"...No."
She nodded.
But she knew he wasn't telling the whole truth.
The Shadow King stood slowly.
"You should rest more."
But before he could leave—
She reached out and held his sleeve.
He paused.
"Liora?"
Her voice was soft.
"Stay… just for a little."
Silence filled the room.
The moonlight made her look fragile.
Tired.
But determined.
After a moment—
He nodded.
"...Alright."
She smiled softly.
He sat beside the bed again.
Neither spoke for a while.
The quiet felt comfortable.
Then she spoke again.
"That general… he was strong."
"...Yes."
"And Kael…"
His expression hardened slightly.
"...He's stronger."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"Are we going to fight him soon?"
He hesitated.
"...Yes."
Her chest tightened.
Silence followed.
Then she spoke quietly.
"...Are you afraid?"
He looked at her.
"...No."
She smiled faintly.
"I am."
He didn't answer.
But his gaze softened.
"You shouldn't carry everything alone."
She repeated her earlier words.
He looked away slightly.
"...I'm used to it."
She shook her head.
"You don't have to be anymore."
Silence.
Her hand slowly slipped from his sleeve.
But he didn't move away.
For the first time—
The distance between them felt smaller.
The next morning arrived with gray clouds.
The air felt heavier than usual.
Liora walked toward the training ground.
She felt more determined today.
She wanted to become stronger.
For him.
The Shadow King arrived moments later.
"You came early."
She smiled.
"I want to train more."
He nodded.
"...Then let's begin."
The training started immediately.
Shadow blades attacked.
She blocked.
Her movements became smoother.
Faster.
Her light formed instantly.
The Shadow King increased difficulty.
She dodged.
Countered.
Improved.
Suddenly—
Her Light Seal glowed again.
Golden wings formed briefly.
She gasped.
"It's happening again."
"...Focus."
She concentrated.
The wings stabilized briefly.
The Shadow King watched carefully.
"...You're learning control."
She smiled.
"That's good."
But suddenly—
The air shifted.
Both froze.
The wind stopped.
Dark clouds gathered.
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...Something's wrong."
The ground trembled.
Liora felt chills.
"What is it?"
"...They're coming."
From the distance—
Dark figures appeared.
Dozens.
Shadow soldiers.
Liora's eyes widened.
"So many…"
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"...Kael's army."
The soldiers rushed forward.
The battle began instantly.
Darkness clashed.
Liora raised her light.
She attacked.
Light burst forward.
Several soldiers vanished.
But more appeared.
She moved quickly.
Her wings flickered again.
Her movements became faster.
The Shadow King fought fiercely.
Dark blades cut through enemies.
But the soldiers kept coming.
Liora breathed heavily.
"They're endless…"
Suddenly—
A powerful aura appeared.
A tall figure stepped forward.
Another general.
His armor glowed dark red.
His eyes glowed cold.
The Shadow King's expression darkened.
"...Another general."
Liora's heart pounded.
The general smirked.
"So… this is the Light bearer."
He stepped forward.
The air trembled.
The battle intensified again.
The Shadow King attacked.
The general blocked.
Shockwave spread.
Liora stepped back.
He's strong…
The general attacked again.
Faster.
More powerful.
The Shadow King blocked.
But slid back slightly.
Liora clenched her hand.
Her Light Seal glowed again.
She stepped forward.
Light gathered.
She attacked.
The general blocked—
But frowned slightly.
"Interesting."
The battle continued.
Darkness and light clashed repeatedly.
Suddenly—
The general created dark chains.
They rushed toward Liora.
She dodged.
But one wrapped around her wrist.
She gasped.
The general pulled.
She stumbled forward.
"Liora!"
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He cut the chain.
Darkness exploded.
His aura surged violently.
Unstable again.
Liora felt it.
No…
He attacked fiercely.
Dark blades rained down.
The general blocked.
But stepped back.
Liora raised her light again.
She attacked.
Golden light burst forward.
The general slid back.
The soldiers retreated.
Suddenly—
The general smiled.
"Enough for today."
Dark portal opened.
"This is only the beginning."
He disappeared.
The soldiers vanished.
Silence returned.
Liora breathed heavily.
"It's over…"
The Shadow King stood quietly.
But his darkness flickered again.
She stepped closer.
"You're losing control again."
"...I'm fine."
She raised her light.
Warm glow surrounded him.
The darkness calmed slowly.
He looked at her quietly.
"...You always help me."
She smiled softly.
"You do the same."
Silence lingered.
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
Neither looked away.
The wind moved softly.
Her heart raced.
His expression softened.
He stepped closer.
"Liora…"
Her breath caught.
But suddenly—
The shadow wolf barked loudly.
Both stepped back.
The moment broke.
She smiled awkwardly.
"We should… go back."
He nodded.
"...Yes."
But both knew—
Something between them—
Was changing.
Far away—
Kael watched from a dark tower.
His eyes glowed.
"Good…"
"They're getting closer."
He smiled slowly.
"That will make the ending… more tragic."
Dark lightning flashed.
"The war begins now."