Chapter 70
The Awakening of Darkness
Valthor's hand tightened around Alex's fist like a steel trap forged in darkness.
For a brief moment, the entire square froze. The evening wind moved slowly across the plaza, lifting small clouds of dust and fluttering the golden banners high above the Archbishop's fortress. Rows of paladins stood ready with shields raised high, their silver armor shining beneath the fading sky. But no one dared move.
Because the two figures standing in the center of the plaza were no longer simply a young prince and a powerful archbishop.
They were two mighty forces colliding.
Valthor's lips curled into a cold, confident smile. "You have courage, Prince Alex."
Golden light suddenly exploded from his body.
BOOM!
A wave of divine energy burst outward like a storm breaking from the heavens. The force blasted across the plaza, pushing even the strongest paladins backward and shattering nearby stone tiles into sparkling fragments.
Alex slid several meters across the ground before stopping, his boots carving deep grooves into the stone.
The air trembled.
Valthor slowly released his grip and stepped back. His entire body now radiated brilliant holy light. Sacred runes began appearing in the air around him, rotating slowly like golden stars orbiting a blazing sun. Two enormous wings of radiant energy spread outward from his back, glowing so brightly that they illuminated the entire square.
"I suppose I should thank you," he said calmly, his voice echoing with power. "Most people only see shadows when they speak about me."
The Archbishop lifted one hand. A massive spear of condensed holy light formed above his palm, glowing brighter than the setting sun itself.
The paladins watching from behind gasped in awe and fear. Even Captain Kaelan's face hardened with concern.
"…Archbishop-class divine magic," he whispered.
Valthor's voice rang across the square like a bell of judgment.
"Divine Judgment."
The spear launched forward, tearing through the air like a falling comet.
Alex raised both arms. Golden light burst from his body in a radiant shield.
CRASH!
The spear detonated against his defense with a deafening roar. The explosion blasted a massive crater into the plaza, sending stone fragments flying like deadly arrows and shaking the ground beneath everyone's feet. Dust and smoke filled the air.
When the light finally faded, Alex was still standing.
But barely.
His boots had carved deep trenches into the stone floor. Blood trickled slowly down his arm from a deep cut. His breathing grew heavier, but his golden eyes still burned with fierce determination.
Valthor laughed softly, the sound cold and mocking. "Impressive."
He began walking forward slowly, his radiant wings casting long, shifting shadows across the broken plaza.
"But still… far too weak."
Then he moved.
Like lightning.
His body vanished in a blur of golden light.
BOOM!
A fist slammed into Alex's stomach with devastating force. Alex was launched backward through the air and crashed hard into the marble stairs behind him. The stone shattered beneath the impact, cracks spreading outward like spiderwebs.
"Your Highness!" Max shouted, his voice full of alarm.
Leon grabbed his arm tightly, his eyes wide with worry. "Wait!"
Alex slowly pushed himself up, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His cloak was torn and covered in dust, but he still stood tall.
Valthor tilted his head curiously, his wings flaring brighter. "You still stand."
The Archbishop raised both hands. Seven glowing circles of divine magic appeared around him, each one brighter than the last. They spun faster and faster, merging together into a massive storm of holy energy above the battlefield.
"You should feel honored," he said calmly. "Very few people ever see this."
The circles fused into one.
"Archbishop Divine Art."
"Sevenfold Radiant Cataclysm."
The sky itself turned golden. Seven enormous pillars of divine light crashed down toward Alex like falling stars from the heavens.
The paladins shielded their eyes and braced themselves.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The explosions shook the entire plaza. Stone shattered. Walls cracked. Dust and golden sparks filled the air like a storm of fire and light.
When the blinding light finally faded, a massive crater remained where Alex had stood.
At its center, Alex was still on his feet.
His cloak had burned away in places. His breathing was rough and labored. Blood ran from several cuts on his arms and face. But his eyes still burned with the same fierce, unyielding light.
Valthor frowned slightly, his radiant wings flickering.
"…Still alive."
Alex exhaled slowly. His voice came out steady despite the pain. "You talk too much."
Then something deep inside him changed.
A low rumble echoed through his body.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Golden energy erupted around him, but this time another aura joined it — darker, deeper, and full of raw strength. The air vibrated. Alex's eyes shifted. His golden pupils sharpened into draconic slits. A faint dragon-shaped aura rose behind him like a phantom made of fire and light, its wings spreading wide and majestic.
The paladins gasped in awe.
"Dragon blood…" Captain Kaelan whispered, his voice full of wonder.
Valthor's expression changed from confidence to surprise. "…Interesting."
Alex moved.
The ground shattered beneath his step with a loud CRACK!
He launched forward like a streak of golden lightning. His fist struck Valthor's ribs with thunderous force. The Archbishop flew across the plaza and smashed through a thick stone pillar, sending chunks of marble exploding outward.
Alex followed instantly, his draconic power mixing with holy light in perfect harmony.
Their fists collided again and again.
BOOM!
CRASH!
THUNDER!
Holy light clashed against draconic strength. The battlefield became a storm of destruction. Valthor unleashed blades of divine energy that cut through the air like shining swords. Alex shattered them with raw force, his dragon aura roaring silently behind him.
The Archbishop summoned radiant chains of light to bind him. Alex tore them apart like weak threads, his movements growing faster and stronger with every second. Each clash sent powerful shockwaves across the square, cracking more stone and forcing the paladins to brace themselves.
But slowly — Valthor began losing ground.
Alex's draconic strength was overwhelming.
Finally, Alex gathered holy power into his hand. A blazing spear of light formed, bright and pure as the heart of the sun.
"This ends now."
He launched forward with everything he had.
The spear shot toward Valthor's chest like a judgment from the Goddess herself.
For the first time, the Archbishop looked truly alarmed.
But just before the attack struck—
Something strange happened.
Valthor's body froze mid-motion.
The divine power around him flickered violently, then shattered like glass.
A deep, ancient voice echoed from his mouth.
But it was not his voice.
It was something older.
Something far more terrifying.
"…Interesting."
The entire battlefield fell silent.
Alex stopped mid-step, his spear of light still glowing in his hand.
The voice spoke again.
Cold.
Ancient.
Hungry.
"So this is the one chosen by the sisters."
Valthor's head slowly lifted.
But his eyes had changed.
They were no longer human.
Endless darkness filled them, swirling like an endless abyss.
A thick, sinister aura began pouring from his body like black smoke rising from the deepest shadows. The divine light surrounding him vanished instantly, devoured by the spreading darkness.
The ground beneath his feet cracked as the aura spread across the plaza like living ink. Paladins stumbled backward in fear, their shields raised high. Even Pope Lucian's face turned pale with horror.
"…No…" the old man whispered.
Alex's eyes narrowed, his draconic aura flaring brighter in response.
The darkness continued spreading, wrapping around Valthor's body like hungry shadows. The voice laughed quietly, low and full of cruel delight.
"So… the game has finally begun."
The sinister aura swallowed Valthor completely.
And Alex realized something terrifying.
This battle…
Had only just begun.
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