Chapter 28: The War Begins
The sky darkened earlier than usual.
Heavy clouds covered the entire Shadow Kingdom, and the wind carried a chilling silence that made even the guards uneasy.
Liora stood on the castle balcony, staring into the distance.
She couldn't stop thinking about yesterday.
Another general.
Another attack.
And Kael preparing for war.
Her fingers tightened on the railing.
"So it's really happening…"
Footsteps approached behind her.
She didn't need to turn.
"...You're thinking too much again."
She smiled faintly.
"Shadow King…"
He stood beside her, his dark cloak moving gently in the wind.
"The army has confirmed it."
Her heart sank.
"They're coming?"
"...Yes."
"When?"
"Soon."
The air felt heavier.
She took a deep breath.
"Then we need to prepare."
He looked at her.
"...You're not afraid?"
She paused.
"I am."
Then she looked at him.
"But I won't run away."
For a moment, he remained silent.
Then—
"...Good."
The war council gathered shortly after.
Inside the throne hall, commanders and knights stood in rows.
The atmosphere felt tense.
The Shadow King sat on the throne.
Liora stood beside him.
A commander stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, scouts reported enemy movement near the Dark Valley."
Another added.
"Their numbers are large… possibly thousands."
Murmurs spread across the hall.
Liora felt nervous.
Thousands…
The Shadow King's expression remained calm.
"Defensive formations."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Prepare the outer gates."
"Understood."
Another knight stepped forward.
"We also detected dark portals forming… multiple generals may arrive."
The Shadow King's eyes darkened.
"...Stay alert."
The meeting ended soon after.
But tension remained.
As they walked out—
Liora spoke quietly.
"You're calm."
"...I have to be."
She looked at him.
"But you're worried."
He didn't deny it.
"...Yes."
She smiled softly.
"We'll win."
He glanced at her.
"...You're confident."
She nodded.
"Because you're here."
He looked away slightly.
"...You're strange."
She laughed softly.
Later—
The training ground buzzed with activity.
Knights trained intensely.
Weapons clashed.
Magic filled the air.
Liora joined training again.
She focused harder than ever.
Her Light Seal glowed stronger.
Golden wings formed more clearly now.
The Shadow King watched from a distance.
She's improving fast…
But something still worried him.
Her power—
Was growing too quickly.
Suddenly—
A loud explosion echoed from the distance.
Everyone froze.
The guards rushed forward.
"Enemy attack!"
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed.
"...Already?"
Another explosion.
Dark smoke rose near the outer wall.
"Stay behind me," he told Liora.
She shook her head.
"I'm coming."
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
"...Stay close."
They rushed toward the outer wall.
Knights already fought shadow creatures.
Dark beasts climbed the walls.
The battle had begun.
Liora raised her light.
She attacked instantly.
Golden light burst forward.
Several creatures vanished.
Knights cheered slightly.
"Lady Liora!"
She continued attacking.
The Shadow King moved beside her.
Dark blades cut through enemies.
The battlefield became chaotic.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled violently.
A massive dark beast appeared.
Huge.
Terrifying.
Liora's eyes widened.
"What is that…"
The Shadow King's voice turned cold.
"...War beast."
The beast roared.
The sound shook the entire wall.
It attacked instantly.
The Shadow King blocked.
Darkness clashed.
Shockwave spread.
Liora stepped back.
He's strong…
The beast attacked again.
Faster.
More violent.
The Shadow King slid back slightly.
Liora clenched her hand.
"I'll help."
Her Light Seal glowed.
Wings appeared.
She flew forward.
Light gathered.
She attacked.
Golden beam struck the beast.
It roared in pain.
The Shadow King attacked at the same time.
Darkness exploded.
The beast staggered.
But—
It didn't fall.
Liora breathed heavily.
"It's tough…"
Suddenly—
Dark portals opened.
More beasts appeared.
The knights panicked.
"There's too many!"
The Shadow King raised his hand.
Dark storm formed.
He attacked.
Several beasts vanished.
But more appeared.
Liora felt exhausted.
No… we can't lose…
Her Light Seal glowed brighter.
Her wings expanded.
She attacked again.
Light exploded across the battlefield.
Beasts disappeared.
Knights cheered again.
But suddenly—
A familiar aura appeared.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Liora froze.
"...Another general."
A figure stepped from a dark portal.
Tall.
Silver armor.
Cold smile.
"Hello again."
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...Darius."
Liora's heart pounded.
Darius smiled.
"My lord sends his regards."
He raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered.
The battlefield trembled again.
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"Stay behind me."
Liora shook her head.
"No."
He glanced at her.
"...Then stay close."
The battle began instantly.
Darkness clashed.
Darius attacked.
Faster than before.
The Shadow King blocked.
But slid back slightly.
Liora attacked with light.
Darius dodged.
"You're stronger."
She didn't respond.
She attacked again.
Golden light burst forward.
Darius blocked—
But frowned slightly.
The battle intensified.
Shockwaves spread.
The wall cracked.
Knights retreated.
Suddenly—
Darius smirked.
"Let's make this interesting."
He raised his hand.
Dark lightning filled the sky.
The battlefield darkened.
Liora felt chills.
This is bad…
The Shadow King attacked fiercely.
Darkness exploded.
But Darius blocked easily.
He's stronger than before…
Liora clenched her hand.
Her Light Seal glowed.
She stepped forward.
Golden wings appeared.
She attacked.
Light beam shot forward.
Darius blocked—
But stepped back.
First time.
The Shadow King attacked instantly.
Darkness slashed.
Darius slid back.
Silence fell briefly.
Then—
Darius laughed.
"You're both improving."
He stepped back.
"But this is just the beginning."
Dark portal opened.
"The war has begun."
He disappeared.
The beasts vanished.
Silence returned.
The battlefield lay damaged.
Knights breathed heavily.
Liora staggered slightly.
The Shadow King caught her again.
"You overused your power."
"I'm okay…"
But her voice sounded weak.
He held her carefully.
"...You need rest."
She looked at him.
"You too."
Their eyes met.
The tension softened.
But suddenly—
A loud horn echoed.
Everyone looked toward the horizon.
Dark army appeared.
Thousands.
Liora's face paled.
"They're… here."
The Shadow King's eyes turned cold.
"...The real battle begins now."
Wind howled.
Dark clouds gathered.
War—
Had finally begun.