Chapter 45: The Shadow King's True Power
The sky above the Abyss Tower cracked with purple lightning.
Dark clouds swirled violently as the Shadow King's aura expanded across the entire platform. The air grew heavy, suffocating, as if the world itself was trembling in fear.
Arif gently lowered Lina to the ground.
"Lina… stay here."
She looked weak but conscious. Her eyes, finally back to normal, filled with worry.
"Arif… he's… too strong…"
Arif smiled softly.
"I know."
He slowly stood up and turned toward the Shadow King.
This time—
He didn't hesitate.
The Shadow King slowly descended from the sky, his dark cloak flowing behind him like living shadows.
"You managed to break my control…"
His voice echoed across the tower.
Arif clenched his fists.
"I'm ending this today."
The Shadow King smiled.
"You're still not strong enough."
Suddenly—
His aura exploded.
Darkness spread across the entire sky.
Arif felt the pressure immediately.
His knees almost buckled.
"This… power…"
It was overwhelming.
The Shadow King raised his hand.
Thousands of shadow blades appeared in the air.
"Let's see how long you last."
They shot toward Arif.
Arif activated Shadow Armor instantly.
He dashed forward.
The blades rained down like a storm.
Explosions shook the platform.
Arif dodged rapidly.
But some blades pierced his armor.
Blood splashed.
Still—
He kept moving.
He rushed forward.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked.
But—
The Shadow King blocked effortlessly.
CLANG
The impact sent Arif flying back.
He crashed into the ground.
"Too weak."
The Shadow King raised his hand again.
Dark chains shot from the ground.
They wrapped around Arif.
He struggled.
The chains tightened.
His body trembled.
"Give up."
Arif gritted his teeth.
"No…"
He remembered Lina.
Her tears.
Her smile.
His eyes sharpened.
Dark energy exploded from his body.
The chains shattered.
"Oh?"
The Shadow King seemed slightly surprised.
Arif rushed forward again.
This time—
He activated Shadow Domain Evolution.
Darkness expanded.
The entire platform became his domain.
Arif's speed increased.
They clashed again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Their battle shook the tower.
But—
The Shadow King still had the advantage.
He moved effortlessly.
Arif's attacks barely reached him.
Suddenly—
The Shadow King disappeared.
Arif's eyes widened.
Behind him—
BOOM
A powerful strike hit his back.
Arif fell forward.
He coughed blood.
"You're still far from my level."
The Shadow King raised his hand again.
A massive shadow beast formed behind him.
A gigantic creature made of darkness.
It roared.
The sound shook the entire abyss.
"Try surviving this."
The beast charged.
Arif stood up.
His body injured.
But his eyes remained determined.
"I won't lose…"
He rushed forward.
The beast attacked.
Arif dodged narrowly.
He countered.
But the beast regenerated.
"It's like the guardian…"
The Shadow King watched calmly.
Arif focused.
He noticed a glowing core.
"There…"
He dashed forward.
The beast slammed down.
Arif rolled.
He jumped.
"Shadow Pierce!"
He stabbed the core.
The beast screamed.
Darkness exploded.
The creature shattered.
Arif landed.
Breathing heavily.
But—
The Shadow King clapped slowly.
"Impressive."
Suddenly—
His aura changed.
Darker.
Colder.
Arif felt danger.
"What…?"
The Shadow King removed his cloak.
His body revealed.
Covered in dark markings.
"You're not fighting my true form yet."
Arif's eyes widened.
"That wasn't your full power?"
The Shadow King smiled.
"Now… the real battle begins."
His aura exploded again.
The entire sky turned black.
Lightning struck.
The platform cracked.
Arif struggled to stand.
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He appeared in front of Arif.
Too fast.
He struck.
Arif barely blocked.
The impact shattered his Shadow Armor.
Arif flew across the platform.
He crashed hard.
Blood spilled.
"Arif!"
Lina shouted weakly.
Arif slowly stood.
His body trembling.
But he smiled faintly.
"I'm not… done…"
He activated everything.
Shadow Awakening.
Shadow Domain.
Shadow Armor.
All at once.
His aura surged.
The Shadow King smiled.
"That's better."
They rushed toward each other.
Their final clash began.
Darkness exploded.
The entire Abyss trembled.
This battle…
Would decide everything.
To Be Continued…