Zalrik did not stop
He became faster.
Every shadow clone that shattered…
was replaced by another.
The shadows inside the chamber were no longer still.
The walls.
The ground.
Even the statues—
began casting shadows that moved on their own.
As for the man…
he continued blocking everything.
Calmly.
With terrifying precision.
But—
for the first time—
he stepped back half a step.
And at that moment, everyone realized:
Zalrik was no longer merely using the power.
He was merging with it…
at a frightening speed.
He did not stop.
He became faster.
Every strike.
Every clone.
Every attack—
the man saw them before they happened.
But Zalrik…
had begun to change.
He was no longer simply fighting.
He was observing.
Learning.
Every movement the man made…
Every time the core appeared.
Every time he extended his hand—
and the box emerged.
Zalrik connected the pieces together.
Until—
he understood.
He smiled.
A faint smile.
As though something…
had finally become clear.
He charged again.
Two shadow clones attacked from the right.
A third descended from above.
But the man—
destroyed them all.
At the very last moment.
Then—
Zalrik appeared directly before him.
A swift strike.
Impact.
Zalrik was thrown backward violently.
He slammed into the ground.
Rolled several meters.
Then—
went still.
Everyone froze.
Arkath looked toward him immediately.
"Zalrik!"
But Zalrik—
did not move.
His breathing was heavy.
His hand trembled.
As though he had reached his limit.
The man walked forward slowly.
Calm.
As though the battle had already ended.
Then—
he looked toward Ignar.
And the moment he extended his hand—
the black box appeared.
From nothingness.
Resting within his palm.
At that same instant—
Zalrik's eyes widened.
Not with fear.
But—
with realization.
His fingers moved slowly.
Then he smiled.
A calm smile.
But terrifying.
He whispered:
"...Found you."
The man opened the box.
Slowly.
As though preparing—
to retrieve the core.
And in that same instant—
Zalrik moved.
Not toward the man.
But toward—
the box's shadow.
His hand sank into it.
As though the shadow…
were liquid.
The man froze.
For the first time.
As for Zalrik—
he pulled something out.
Slowly.
Something that should never have been pulled free.
The shadow of the core.
It emerged from the darkness.
Black.
Pulsing.
Yet not the original.
Only its reflection.
Arkath's eyes widened.
Even Arkath's father—
his expression changed.
But Zalrik…
smiled.
This time—
clearly.
And said:
"...So this is it."
He lifted his gaze toward the man.
"Shadows do not copy things…"
He tightened his grip around the shadow-core.
Then finished:
"...they preserve their true form."
At that same moment—
he retreated swiftly toward Ignar.
The Fire Clan leader was still seated.
Blood covered his body.
But his eyes…
were open.
Zalrik spoke quickly:
"Hold out your hand."
Ignar froze for a brief moment.
But obeyed.
And in that instant—
Zalrik placed the shadow of the core…
inside the shadow of Ignar's palm.
Silence fell.
Then—
the chamber trembled violently.
Because the man—
finally moved.
For the first time—
his calm disappeared.
He lunged forward.
With terrifying speed.
A direct attack toward Ignar.
Arkath shouted:
"Ignar!"
But—
before the strike could land—
Ignar moved.
Simply.
He raised his hand.
Then—
stopped the attack.
Everyone froze.
Even the man himself.
Flames began emerging from Ignar's body.
Not ordinary fire.
But deeper.
Heavier.
As though it had once been dormant…
and had now awakened.
Ignar slowly stood.
His wounds still covered his body.
But his presence—
had completely changed.
He raised his head.
Looked directly at the man.
Then said calmly:
"Now… let us continue our fight."
End of Chapter XVI 🔥