Chapter 19: The Master Who Created Darkness
The air froze.
Darkness spread across the courtyard like a storm about to explode. The shadows trembled violently, reacting to the overwhelming presence of the man standing below.
Liora felt her chest tighten.
This man…
He felt different.
Stronger.
Colder.
Even more terrifying than the Queen of Ashes.
The Shadow King stepped forward slowly.
His dark wings expanded behind him, filling the air with power.
"...You shouldn't have come back."
The man smiled faintly.
"And miss seeing my greatest creation?"
His red eyes glowed.
"That would be a waste."
Liora's heart pounded.
Greatest creation?
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"I am not your creation."
The man chuckled.
"You were once."
Darkness gathered around him.
"I gave you power…"
The shadows twisted.
"I gave you strength…"
The air trembled.
"And I made you the King of Darkness."
Liora's breath trembled.
The Shadow King's aura surged violently.
"And I destroyed you."
The man smiled wider.
"Did you?"
His body slowly rose into the air.
The ground cracked beneath him.
"Then why… am I still here?"
The Shadow King's eyes narrowed.
"...You're just a shadow."
The man laughed softly.
"Everything is shadow."
Suddenly—
He raised his hand.
Dark spikes erupted from the ground.
They shot toward the castle walls.
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He blocked them with darkness.
The impact shook the entire castle.
Liora stepped back.
Her light flickered nervously.
The man glanced at her again.
His smile deepened.
"Interesting…"
His red eyes narrowed.
"You carry balance."
Her heart raced.
The Shadow King moved in front of her.
"Don't look at her."
The man chuckled.
"You've grown attached."
His gaze turned sharp.
"That's your weakness."
The Shadow King's voice turned colder.
"I don't have weaknesses."
The man raised his hand again.
"Then let's test that."
Darkness exploded.
He attacked.
The Shadow King countered instantly.
The two forces collided.
The entire courtyard shook violently.
Liora covered her face from the shockwave.
The battle had begun.
The Shadow King attacked first.
Dark blades formed around him.
They rushed forward.
But the man waved his hand casually.
The blades shattered.
Liora's eyes widened.
He broke them easily.
The Shadow King's eyes glowed brighter.
He moved faster.
Dark claws formed.
He struck directly.
The man blocked with one hand.
The impact cracked the ground.
He smirked.
"You're still weaker than me."
The Shadow King's aura surged violently.
Darkness exploded around him.
He attacked again.
This time—
More brutal.
More ruthless.
The man stepped back slightly.
"Better."
He raised his hand.
Dark chains formed.
They shot toward the Shadow King.
He cut them instantly.
But more appeared.
The battle intensified.
The castle trembled.
Liora watched anxiously.
She had never seen the Shadow King pushed like this before.
The man suddenly disappeared.
Her eyes widened.
"Where did he—"
He appeared behind the Shadow King.
Dark energy exploded.
The Shadow King was pushed forward.
He slid across the ground.
Liora gasped.
"Shadow King!"
The man smirked.
"You're slower."
The Shadow King stood again.
His eyes glowed darker.
"I haven't started yet."
Dark wings grew larger.
His villain aura returned.
The air trembled violently.
The man smiled.
"There you are."
The Shadow King attacked again.
This time—
His speed increased.
He appeared instantly in front of the man.
Darkness exploded.
The man blocked.
But this time—
He stepped back.
The ground cracked.
The Shadow King pressed forward.
Relentless.
Cold.
Violent.
Liora watched nervously.
She noticed something.
His darkness…
Was becoming unstable.
The man's eyes narrowed.
"You're losing control."
The Shadow King ignored him.
He attacked again.
The man suddenly turned his gaze toward Liora.
Her heart skipped.
The Shadow King's eyes widened.
"Don't—"
Too late.
The man raised his hand.
Dark spikes shot toward Liora.
She froze.
Before they reached her—
The Shadow King appeared in front.
He blocked them.
But the attack hit directly.
Dark energy exploded.
He groaned slightly.
Liora's eyes widened.
"You…"
The man smiled.
"You still protect her."
The Shadow King's aura grew darker.
His voice turned cold.
"...Don't touch her."
The darkness around him exploded.
The ground cracked violently.
His eyes turned darker.
Liora felt fear.
This was the villain side again.
The man smiled wider.
"Yes… lose control."
The Shadow King attacked brutally.
Dark claws tore through the air.
The man blocked.
But stepped back again.
"Good."
The Shadow King moved like destruction.
His attacks became savage.
Ruthless.
Cold.
Liora clenched her hands.
"Stop…"
She felt his darkness growing unstable.
The man raised his hand again.
Massive darkness gathered.
He unleashed it.
The Shadow King countered.
The two forces collided.
The castle shook violently.
Suddenly—
The ground beneath Liora cracked.
She lost her balance.
The man noticed.
He smiled.
Dark chains shot toward her.
Her eyes widened.
She couldn't dodge.
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He cut the chains.
But—
The man appeared behind him.
Dark energy exploded.
The Shadow King was pushed forward.
He fell to one knee.
Liora gasped.
"No…"
The man stepped forward slowly.
"You still lose."
The Shadow King stood again.
His breathing was heavier.
But his eyes still glowed fiercely.
"I'm not done."
The man smiled.
"You never learn."
He raised his hand.
Massive darkness gathered.
Liora felt fear.
This attack…
Was dangerous.
The Shadow King prepared to counter.
But suddenly—
Liora's light flared.
Her wings appeared again.
Bright light filled the courtyard.
The man stepped back slightly.
"Oh…"
Her eyes glowed.
She raised her hand.
Light pushed the darkness back.
The Shadow King looked at her.
"Liora…"
She stepped forward.
Her voice echoed softly.
"Stop…"
The light spread.
The man's smile faded slightly.
"Interesting."
He lowered his hand.
"This isn't over."
Darkness surrounded him.
He looked at the Shadow King.
"Next time… I'll take her."
He vanished.
Silence filled the courtyard.
Liora's wings faded.
She collapsed.
The Shadow King caught her again.
His expression softened slightly.
"...You shouldn't push yourself."
Her breathing was weak.
"I wanted… to help…"
He looked at her quietly.
"...You did."
But deep inside—
He knew.
The enemy had returned.
And this time—
The war would be far worse than before.
Because the one who created the Shadow King…
Had come back to finish him.