Chapter 29: The Battlefield of Despair (Part 1)
The horizon turned black.
Thousands of dark soldiers marched toward the Shadow Kingdom. The ground trembled with every step they took.
Cold wind howled across the battlefield.
Liora stood beside the Shadow King on top of the castle wall.
Her heart pounded violently.
"So many…"
The Shadow King's eyes remained cold.
"...Stay calm."
But even he knew—
This battle would be different.
A commander rushed forward.
"Your Majesty! Enemy forces approaching from three directions!"
Another knight added.
"They brought war beasts too!"
Liora clenched her hands.
"This is… worse than expected."
The Shadow King raised his hand.
"Open the gates."
Everyone froze.
"Your Majesty?"
"We fight outside."
The knights immediately obeyed.
The massive gates opened slowly.
The Shadow Kingdom army marched forward.
The battlefield formed outside the castle walls.
Dark clouds gathered above.
Lightning flickered.
The war—
Had begun.
The enemy army stopped several hundred meters away.
A tall figure stepped forward.
Darius.
Behind him stood another general.
Red armor.
Cold eyes.
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...Two generals."
Liora felt chills.
Darius smiled.
"So… the war begins."
The red-armored general stepped forward.
"I am Valtar."
His aura spread violently.
The ground cracked slightly.
Liora felt suffocated.
He's even stronger…
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"Begin."
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
Knights charged.
Dark soldiers rushed forward.
Weapons clashed.
Magic exploded.
Screams filled the air.
Liora raised her light.
Golden wings appeared.
She flew forward.
Light burst across the battlefield.
Several enemies vanished instantly.
Knights cheered.
"Lady Liora!"
But more enemies came.
She attacked again.
Light exploded repeatedly.
The Shadow King fought fiercely.
Dark blades cut through soldiers.
Darius attacked him directly.
Their powers clashed.
Shockwaves spread.
Valtar moved toward Liora.
His eyes glowed.
"So… you're the light."
He attacked instantly.
Too fast.
Liora blocked.
Light shield formed.
But cracked.
She stepped back.
He's strong…
Valtar attacked again.
Dark spear shot forward.
She dodged barely.
Her heart raced.
The Shadow King noticed.
He tried to move—
But Darius blocked him.
"Focus on me."
Their battle intensified.
Liora clenched her teeth.
I have to fight myself…
Her Light Seal glowed brighter.
Golden wings expanded.
She attacked.
Light beam shot forward.
Valtar blocked—
But slid back slightly.
He frowned.
"Interesting."
He attacked again.
Dark chains rushed toward her.
She cut them with light.
But Valtar appeared behind her instantly.
She gasped.
Before he struck—
A knight jumped in front.
"Lady Liora!"
The attack pierced the knight.
Blood spilled.
Liora froze.
"No…!"
The knight collapsed.
Her hands trembled.
Valtar smirked.
"Weak."
Something inside her snapped.
Her Light Seal glowed violently.
Golden light exploded.
The battlefield brightened.
Valtar stepped back.
"...Your power increased."
Her eyes glowed.
She attacked again.
Light rained down.
Enemies vanished.
The Shadow King noticed.
Her power… it's evolving…
But her aura became unstable.
Too much power.
She attacked wildly.
Valtar blocked.
But struggled.
The battle intensified.
Suddenly—
Dark lightning filled the sky.
Everyone froze.
A massive dark portal opened.
A terrifying aura spread.
Darius smiled.
"He arrived."
The Shadow King's eyes widened slightly.
From the portal—
A tall figure stepped out.
Long black hair.
Cold golden eyes.
Kael.
Liora felt her breath stop.
"...He's…"
The Shadow King's voice turned cold.
"...Kael."
Silence fell.
Even the battlefield slowed.
Kael smiled faintly.
"So… this is the Shadow King."
His gaze shifted to Liora.
"And the Light bearer."
Her heart pounded.
His aura alone felt overwhelming.
Kael stepped forward.
The ground cracked.
"Let's end this quickly."
Darkness exploded from him.
The battlefield trembled violently.
Knights panicked.
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"Liora… stay back."
She shook her head.
"No."
He looked at her.
But Kael attacked instantly.
Dark blade cut through the air.
The Shadow King blocked.
The shockwave blasted across the battlefield.
Everyone was pushed back.
Liora struggled to stand.
They're… too strong…
Kael attacked again.
Faster.
More violent.
The Shadow King blocked—
But slid back.
First time.
Liora's heart tightened.
No…
Her Light Seal glowed.
She stepped forward.
Golden wings appeared.
She attacked.
Light beam shot forward.
Kael raised his hand.
He blocked easily.
Her eyes widened.
"Too weak."
He moved instantly.
Appearing before her.
She froze.
Before impact—
The Shadow King appeared.
He blocked.
Darkness exploded.
The ground shattered.
The battle reached another level.
Kael smiled slightly.
"Interesting."
The Shadow King attacked fiercely.
Dark blades rained down.
Kael dodged easily.
The battlefield trembled.
Liora clenched her hand.
She had to get stronger.
Now.
Or—
Everything would end here.
Chapter 29: The Battlefield of Despair (Part 2)
The battlefield trembled under Kael's overwhelming aura.
Dark lightning filled the sky as Kael stepped forward slowly, his golden eyes glowing like a predator watching its prey.
Liora felt suffocated.
Her wings flickered behind her.
He's… too strong…
The Shadow King stepped in front of her.
"Stay behind me."
But Kael smiled faintly.
"You still protect her… even now."
He raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered instantly.
Without warning—
He attacked.
A massive dark blade tore through the battlefield.
The Shadow King blocked.
Darkness collided.
The shockwave blasted across the battlefield.
Knights were thrown aside.
The ground shattered beneath them.
Liora barely kept her footing.
The Shadow King slid back several meters.
Her eyes widened.
He's pushing him back…
Kael stepped forward again.
"You're weaker than before."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed dangerously.
Darkness surged violently.
He attacked.
Dark blades rained down like a storm.
Kael dodged effortlessly.
Then—
He counterattacked.
Dark spear formed instantly.
It shot toward Liora.
Too fast.
She couldn't react.
Before impact—
The Shadow King appeared again.
He blocked.
The spear pierced his arm.
Dark blood dripped.
"Shadow King!"
Liora rushed forward.
But Kael smirked.
"You're distracted."
He attacked again.
The Shadow King blocked.
But the pressure grew stronger.
Liora clenched her fists.
No… I can't just watch…
Her Light Seal glowed violently.
Golden light spread across the battlefield.
Her wings expanded.
The air shimmered.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"...Your power."
She stepped forward.
Light gathered around her.
She attacked.
A massive beam of golden light shot forward.
Kael blocked—
But for the first time—
He slid back slightly.
Silence fell.
Everyone froze.
Kael looked at her with interest.
"Interesting…"
The Shadow King glanced at her.
"...Liora."
But her aura became unstable.
Her power surged uncontrollably.
Too much energy.
Her eyes glowed brighter.
She attacked again.
Light exploded across the battlefield.
Enemies vanished instantly.
Valtar stepped back.
Darius frowned.
Her power is growing too fast…
Kael watched calmly.
"You're burning yourself."
She didn't stop.
She attacked again.
Light burst forward.
But suddenly—
Her wings flickered.
Her body trembled.
She's reaching her limit…
The Shadow King moved toward her.
"Liora—"
Too late.
She collapsed.
He caught her instantly.
"Liora!"
Her breathing weakened.
"I… I'm okay…"
But her voice was faint.
Kael stepped forward.
"Perfect timing."
The Shadow King's eyes turned cold.
He handed Liora to a nearby knight.
"Take her back."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The knight rushed away.
Kael attacked instantly.
Dark blade tore the air.
The Shadow King blocked.
The battle intensified.
Without Liora—
The battlefield grew darker.
Kael attacked relentlessly.
The Shadow King blocked—
But slowly—
He was pushed back.
Darius and Valtar joined the battle.
Three against one.
Knights panicked.
"Your Majesty!"
The Shadow King attacked fiercely.
Darkness exploded.
But Kael blocked easily.
He raised his hand.
Dark chains burst from the ground.
They wrapped around the Shadow King.
He struggled.
Kael stepped forward.
"This ends now."
Dark energy gathered in his hand.
Before he struck—
Golden light exploded.
Everyone froze.
Liora appeared again.
Floating in the air.
Her wings now—
Different.
Larger.
Brighter.
Her eyes glowed golden.
"Liora…?"
The Shadow King looked stunned.
She raised her hand.
Light exploded.
The chains shattered instantly.
Kael stepped back slightly.
"...So you awakened."
Her voice sounded calm.
Stronger.
"I won't let you hurt him."
Kael smiled faintly.
"Interesting."
She attacked.
Golden light rained down.
Darius and Valtar retreated.
The battlefield brightened.
The Shadow King stood silently.
Her power…
It's evolved…
But suddenly—
Her wings flickered again.
Her aura became unstable.
Kael noticed.
"You're forcing it."
He attacked instantly.
Dark blade cut through the air.
The Shadow King blocked.
But the battlefield trembled again.
Suddenly—
A loud horn echoed.
Both armies froze.
A messenger rushed forward.
"Your Majesty! Reinforcements have arrived!"
From the distance—
Another army approached.
Silver armor.
Bright banners.
Liora looked surprised.
"Who…?"
The Shadow King narrowed his eyes.
"...Allies."
Kael frowned slightly.
"Another day then."
Dark portal opened.
"Next time…"
He looked at Liora.
"You won't survive."
He disappeared.
Darius and Valtar followed.
The enemy army retreated.
Silence fell across the battlefield.
Liora's wings faded.
She collapsed again.
The Shadow King caught her.
"You pushed yourself too far."
She smiled weakly.
"...We won…"
He looked at her quietly.
"...Yes."
But his eyes darkened.
Because he knew—
This was only the beginning.
The real war—
Was still coming.