Chapter 23: The Rage
Silence consumed the battlefield.
The explosion from the Destruction Blast had finally faded.
Ash drifted through the air as the ruins of Perth stood beneath a sky stained crimson. The Arcane General was gone, sealed by the Commander's final sacrifice.
But victory brought no celebration.
Kenya slowly lowered her weapon.
"...It's over."
Ruke leaned against a broken wall, breathing heavily.
"We... actually survived."
Eliz closed her eyes, silently praying for the Commander.
Shen stood alone at the center of the battlefield.
His head remained lowered.
He didn't move.
He didn't speak.
Then...
A pulse.
Thump.
A dark glow spread from the mark on his chest.
Thump.
Another pulse.
The air suddenly became unbearably heavy.
Kenya's smile disappeared.
"...Shen?"
The darkness around him began to rise like black flames.
Ruke frowned.
"That's impossible."
"The battle already ended."
"So why is his mana increasing?"
The ground trembled violently.
BOOM!
Cracks spread beneath Shen's feet as pillars of black energy burst into the sky.
Eliz stepped backward.
"That isn't mana..."
"It feels... alive."
Captain slowly reached for his broken sword.
"Everyone..."
"Stay alert."
Shen suddenly grabbed his head.
"...No..."
His body shook uncontrollably.
"Get... out..."
His voice changed.
A second voice echoed beneath his own.
Deep.
Ancient.
Cold.
"You desired strength."
"Now accept its price."
Shen screamed.
Darkness exploded from his body.
The shockwave hurled everyone backward.
Kenya stabbed her spear into the ground to stop herself.
"SHEN!"
When the smoke cleared...
He slowly raised his head.
His eyes were no longer human.
One glowed violet.
The other burned like molten gold.
Black markings covered his neck and arms.
His expression held no anger.
Only terrifying calm.
He looked at his own hands.
"So..."
"This is freedom."
Captain tightened his grip.
"That's not Shen."
The figure smiled.
"No."
"It isn't."
He disappeared.
CRACK!
Captain barely raised his sword before a punch struck him like a cannon.
The impact launched him through three collapsed buildings.
Dust filled the air.
"Captain!"
Kenya rushed forward.
Before she could reach him—
Shen appeared in front of her.
He gently caught the tip of her spear with two fingers.
"You've improved."
He smiled.
"But not enough."
With a flick of his wrist, the spear shattered into dozens of pieces.
Kenya jumped back in shock.
Ruke roared and charged with twin blades crackling with lightning.
"COME BACK, SHEN!"
His attacks flashed like lightning across the battlefield.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Every strike missed.
Shen walked calmly between them as though he already knew where each attack would land.
"You've become faster."
Ruke swung again.
"But still predictable."
A single kick struck Ruke in the chest.
BOOM!
He crashed into the ground, leaving a deep crater.
Eliz rushed toward him.
"He has multiple broken bones!"
Captain staggered back onto his feet, blood running down his face.
"Listen to me!"
"No one fights alone anymore!"
"We save Shen together!"
Kenya nodded.
"Right!"
The four surrounded Shen from every direction.
Fire.
Lightning.
Healing light.
Swordsmanship.
Their attacks moved together with perfect teamwork.
For several seconds, explosions lit the battlefield.
Smoke covered everything.
Then...
A calm voice echoed through the dust.
"Finished?"
The smoke vanished instantly.
Shen stood untouched.
Not a single wound marked his body.
His eyes slowly drifted toward the sky.
"I remember everything."
"The Commander..."
"He believed in me."
His smile faded.
"So why..."
"...does this power only want destruction?"
For a brief moment, the darkness around him weakened.
Eliz noticed first.
"Shen!"
"Fight it!"
"We're still here!"
Kenya took one step forward despite her fear.
"You promised we'd return together."
Ruke wiped the blood from his mouth.
"And I'm not letting you break that promise."
Shen closed his eyes.
His fists trembled.
Inside his mind, two voices clashed.
One whispered of hatred, endless power, and destruction.
The other reminded him of friendship, sacrifice, and hope.
The battlefield fell silent once again.
The war outside had ended.
Now the greatest battle was taking place within Shen himself.
And only one side could emerge victorious.
To Be Continued...