Chapter 19: Dark Mage High Mediator Awakens
Silence.
Smoke drifted across the devastated battlefield, shrouding the ruins of Perth beneath a dark sky.
Ruke had already retreated, badly wounded. Kenya and Eliz stood nearby, exhausted from the relentless fighting. Their clothes were torn, their breathing uneven, but neither of them looked away.
Only Shen remained standing before the Arcane General.
Blood trickled down his forehead as he tightened his grip on his sword, refusing to take a single step back.
The General smirked.
"You're finished."
He slowly raised his blade.
"Your team is broken, and your power has already reached its limit."
Shen took a slow breath.
His body screamed in pain, yet his eyes remained calm.
"Maybe..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"But you forgot one thing."
Without warning—
A jet-black aura erupted beneath his feet.
Dark energy spiraled upward like living shadows, wrapping around his body. The sky darkened as black clouds gathered overhead, and the surrounding air began to warp beneath the overwhelming pressure.
Kenya's eyes widened.
"That aura...!"
"It isn't ordinary magic!"
Eliz stared in disbelief.
"It's Dark Mage energy..."
She swallowed nervously.
"But it's different."
"It feels far stronger than anything I've ever sensed."
Shen slowly lifted his head.
His eyes glowed with a brilliant violet light.
The mysterious mark on his right arm spread across his shoulder and chest, glowing with ancient runes.
His voice echoed across the battlefield, deeper and more powerful than before.
"This isn't borrowed power."
"It is the power I have accepted."
"This is my path."
"I am..."
"...the Dark Mage High Mediator."
BOOM!
A tremendous wave of dark energy burst from Shen's body, shaking the battlefield.
Ancient runes ignited across the sky.
The earth split apart beneath his feet as cracks spread in every direction.
The Arcane General was forced to take several steps backward.
For the first time...
His expression changed.
Far away, the Commander watched in stunned silence.
"...That form..."
His eyes widened.
"It's recorded only in the Forbidden Archives."
"The balance between light and darkness..."
"So it really exists."
The Arcane General clenched his fists.
A grin slowly returned to his face.
"You think this power frightens me?"
Shen calmly raised his sword.
His violet eyes locked onto the General.
His voice resonated across the battlefield like countless voices speaking as one.
"I'm not here to frighten you."
Dark energy surged violently around him.
"I'm here..."
"...to end you."
The battlefield fell silent once more as two overwhelming powers faced each other.
The final battle was about to begin.