🌑 Chapter 46: The Heart Beneath the Darkness
Lightning tore across the sky.
Rain began falling over the battlefield, mixing with blood and ash as the final war raged beneath the cursed heavens.
The Shadow King and Kael clashed again.
Darkness exploded through the sky.
Every strike between the brothers shook the battlefield below.
Liora looked upward anxiously.
He's pushing himself too hard…
Suddenly—
A violent shockwave burst across the air.
The Shadow King was thrown backward.
He landed heavily against broken stone.
"Your Majesty!"
Liora moved instantly.
But Kael descended before her.
Black wings spread wide.
Golden eyes glowing coldly.
"You care for him that much?"
Liora stepped protectively in front of the Shadow King.
"...Move."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"...Interesting."
Dark chains erupted from the ground.
Liora dodged quickly.
Golden light burst from her wings.
She counterattacked immediately.
Light spears rained down.
Kael blocked most—
But one pierced his shoulder.
Blood dripped slowly.
The battlefield froze for a second.
Kael touched the wound.
Then smiled.
"...You're becoming dangerous."
⚔️ Battle Across the Valley
Meanwhile—
Leon and Valtar fought fiercely near the broken portal towers.
Silver and crimson light clashed repeatedly.
Leon blocked another strike and pushed Valtar backward.
"You should surrender."
Valtar laughed.
"To you?"
Dark energy exploded around him.
Leon narrowed his eyes.
"...Then die fighting."
Their battle intensified again.
Nearby—
Darius commanded dark mages to strengthen the curse formation.
The battlefield continued draining energy.
Soldiers struggled to stand.
Liora noticed immediately.
"If this continues…"
The Shadow King slowly stood beside her.
His wound still bleeding.
"...Destroy the core."
She looked at him.
"The core?"
He pointed toward the center of the battlefield.
A massive dark crystal floated above the curse circle.
"That crystal controls everything."
Kael smiled faintly.
"...Correct."
Darkness surged around him.
"But you'll never reach it."
🌑 The Brothers' Truth
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"...Liora."
She turned toward him.
His eyes softened slightly.
"...Go destroy the crystal."
"What about you?"
"...I'll hold Kael back."
Her expression tightened.
"You're injured."
He gave a faint smile.
"...Since when has that stopped me?"
Her chest ached.
"No."
His gaze sharpened.
"Liora."
The way he said her name—
Soft.
Gentle.
It shook her heart.
"...Trust me."
Silence lingered between them.
Then—
She nodded slowly.
"...Don't die."
His eyes held hers.
"...I'll try."
đź’” Confession in the Middle of War
She turned to leave—
But suddenly—
His hand caught hers.
She froze.
Rain fell softly around them.
The battlefield noise faded for a moment.
"...There's something I should have said earlier."
Her heartbeat quickened.
He stepped closer slowly.
"...If this war ends…"
Lightning flashed behind him.
"...I don't want to rule alone anymore."
Her breath caught.
His fingers tightened gently around hers.
"Liora…"
His voice lowered.
"...I love you."
Everything stopped.
The rain.
The battle.
Her thoughts.
Her eyes widened slightly.
He looked at her quietly.
No crown.
No darkness.
No title.
Just him.
And the truth in his eyes.
Her chest trembled.
"...You idiot."
A tear mixed with rain on her cheek.
"I was waiting for you to say it."
For the first time—
The Shadow King smiled fully.
Warm.
Real.
She stepped closer instantly.
Her lips touched his softly.
A brief kiss beneath a burning sky.
Then—
Explosion.
The battlefield returned violently.
Kael watched from afar silently.
His expression unreadable.
🔥 Toward the Crystal
Liora pulled away slowly.
Her cheeks slightly red.
"...Stay alive."
He nodded.
"...You too."
She spread her wings and flew toward the center battlefield.
Dark creatures rushed toward her.
Golden light exploded.
She cut through them.
Fast.
Focused.
The crystal floated ahead.
Dark energy pulsed violently around it.
Darius appeared before her.
"...You're not getting past me."
She raised her glowing spear.
"Move."
Darius smiled coldly.
"Make me."
They clashed instantly.
🌑 Brothers' Final Clash Begins
Meanwhile—
Kael descended before the Shadow King once more.
Rain poured heavily now.
Kael looked at him quietly.
"...You confessed."
"...Yes."
A faint smile touched Kael's lips.
"You really changed."
Darkness gathered around both brothers.
Kael's expression slowly hardened again.
"But it changes nothing."
The Shadow King raised his blade.
"...Maybe not."
Their powers exploded simultaneously.
The sky cracked open.
The final clash between brothers—
Had begun.