Chapter 35: The Price of War
The battlefield fell silent.
Smoke drifted slowly across the shattered ground. The once mighty army now stood exhausted, wounded, and broken.
At the center—
Leon lay motionless.
Liora knelt beside him, her hands trembling.
"No… no… please…"
Her golden light flickered weakly as she tried to heal him.
But nothing happened.
Her voice broke.
"Leon… wake up…"
Silence.
Her tears fell onto his armor.
The Shadow King stood behind her.
His expression dark.
The soldiers lowered their heads.
The cost of this battle—
Was too heavy.
Liora clenched her fists.
Her heart felt shattered.
"He… he saved me…"
Her voice trembled.
The Shadow King walked forward slowly.
He placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
"...He chose this."
She shook her head.
"No…"
Her voice cracked.
"I didn't want anyone to die…"
Silence filled the battlefield.
Suddenly—
A soldier ran forward.
"Your Majesty… more enemies may return."
The Shadow King nodded slowly.
"...Retreat."
The army slowly began moving back.
Liora remained beside Leon.
She couldn't move.
Finally—
The Shadow King lifted Leon's body.
"We're going home."
Liora followed silently.
Back at the Shadow Kingdom—
The entire castle fell into mourning.
News spread quickly.
Leon… had fallen.
Soldiers gathered.
Knights lowered their swords.
The air felt heavy.
Liora stood beside Leon's body.
Her eyes red.
The Shadow King stood silently beside her.
A royal funeral was prepared.
Torches burned.
The soldiers gathered in silence.
Leon was placed upon a stone platform.
The Shadow King stepped forward.
His voice calm—
But heavy.
"Leon fought with honor."
Silence filled the hall.
"He protected this kingdom…"
The soldiers lowered their heads.
"And he gave his life…"
Liora clenched her hands.
"...for us."
The torches burned brighter.
The Shadow King raised his hand.
Flames surrounded Leon gently.
A warrior's farewell.
Liora cried silently.
Her heart felt empty.
The flames slowly faded.
The ceremony ended.
But the pain remained.
Later that night—
Liora stood alone in the garden.
The moon shone softly.
She looked up quietly.
"Leon…"
Her voice trembled.
"I couldn't protect you…"
Tears fell again.
Suddenly—
A familiar presence appeared.
The Shadow King stood behind her.
"You shouldn't be alone."
She wiped her tears.
"I just needed air."
He stepped closer.
"...You're blaming yourself."
She didn't answer.
He sighed quietly.
"...People die in war."
Her voice broke.
"But… he died protecting me."
Silence filled the air.
He stepped closer.
"...Liora."
She looked at him.
"I lost people too."
Her eyes widened.
"...You?"
He nodded slowly.
"My brother."
She froze.
"You had… a brother?"
His gaze turned distant.
"He died because of me."
The wind moved softly.
"I couldn't control my power…"
Darkness flickered around him.
"I destroyed everything."
Liora stepped closer.
"You didn't mean to."
He looked at her.
"...That doesn't change the result."
Silence filled the garden.
Liora slowly reached out.
She held his hand.
"You saved me."
His eyes softened.
"And you save everyone."
Their fingers intertwined.
Warm.
For a moment—
The pain felt lighter.
Suddenly—
A dark aura flickered.
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
"...He's watching."
Liora looked around.
"Kael?"
He nodded.
"He's planning something."
Her heart tightened.
"...Another attack?"
"...Worse."
Meanwhile—
Inside Kael's fortress.
Darius knelt.
"The Shadow Kingdom is weakened."
Kael smiled.
"Good."
Valtar stepped forward.
"Should we attack now?"
Kael shook his head.
"Not yet."
He looked at a glowing crystal.
"Prepare the ritual."
Darius frowned.
"...Are you sure?"
Kael's eyes glowed.
"It's time."
Dark energy filled the room.
A dangerous plan—
Was beginning.
Back at the castle—
Liora suddenly felt pain.
She gasped.
Her Light Seal glowed violently.
The Shadow King caught her.
"Liora!"
Her wings flickered.
Golden light surged.
Her power—
Was evolving again.
She trembled.
"It hurts…"
He held her tightly.
"It's okay."
The light exploded.
The castle trembled.
Soldiers panicked.
Then—
Silence.
Her wings faded slowly.
She collapsed.
He caught her gently.
Her breathing weakened.
"...What's happening to me…"
He looked worried.
"...Your power is changing."
The war—
Was changing them both.