Chapter 40: The Final War Begins
The sun slowly disappeared beyond the mountains.
Dark clouds gathered above the Shadow Kingdom as the wind howled across the battlefield.
The moment had arrived.
The army stood ready outside the castle gates.
Thousands of soldiers lined up in formation. Armor glimmered under the fading light. Magic circles glowed faintly beneath the mages' feet.
Liora stood beside the Shadow King.
Her heart pounded loudly.
"This is it…"
The Shadow King looked ahead silently.
"...Yes."
Leon stepped forward.
"Scouts confirmed it."
The Shadow King turned slightly.
"Kael's army?"
Leon nodded.
"They're approaching from the northern valley."
The air grew tense.
The Shadow King raised his hand.
"Move."
The gates slowly opened.
The army marched forward.
The ground trembled beneath thousands of footsteps.
Liora tightened her grip.
Her wings appeared faintly behind her.
Golden feathers shimmered in the wind.
Leon glanced at her.
"You ready?"
She nodded.
"I have to be."
He smiled faintly.
"You've grown."
She looked ahead.
"We all have."
The army reached the northern valley.
The sky darkened.
And then—
They saw them.
Kael's army.
Thousands of dark soldiers.
Monsters.
Dark mages.
The battlefield stretched endlessly.
Liora's heart sank.
"So many…"
The Shadow King's expression hardened.
Kael floated above his army.
Black wings spread wide.
Golden eyes glowing.
"I've been waiting."
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"...End this."
Kael smiled slowly.
"Gladly."
He raised his hand.
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
"ATTACK!"
The armies collided.
Steel clashed.
Magic exploded.
The war had begun.
Liora flew forward.
Golden light burst across the battlefield.
She struck multiple enemies at once.
Her movements faster than before.
Stronger.
But the enemies kept coming.
Leon fought beside her.
Silver light flashed.
He cut through enemies quickly.
The Shadow King moved like a storm.
Dark blades swept across the battlefield.
The war intensified.
Explosions shook the ground.
Screams echoed.
The sky filled with light and darkness.
Suddenly—
Kael descended.
His aura crushed the battlefield.
The Shadow King jumped forward.
Their battle began instantly.
Darkness collided.
Shockwaves spread.
Liora watched nervously.
They're fighting again…
Leon rushed forward.
"I'll support."
He joined the battle.
Three powerful forces clashed.
The ground shattered.
Kael moved faster than before.
He struck.
The Shadow King blocked—
But slid back.
Kael attacked Leon.
Silver blade blocked.
Explosion.
Liora joined.
Golden light erupted.
They pushed Kael back.
For the first time—
They had the advantage.
Kael smiled.
"...Impressive."
Suddenly—
He raised his hand.
Dark portals opened.
More enemies appeared.
Liora frowned.
"More?"
Leon cursed.
"He prepared reserves."
The battle intensified again.
Suddenly—
A loud explosion echoed behind them.
Liora turned.
Her eyes widened.
"...What?!"
Another army appeared.
Behind them.
They're surrounded.
Leon clenched his teeth.
"Damn it…"
The Shadow King's expression darkened.
"...Betrayal."
Liora froze.
"Betrayal?"
Suddenly—
One of their commanders stepped forward.
His sword turned dark.
"I'm sorry… Your Majesty."
Liora's eyes widened.
"You…?!"
The commander smiled coldly.
"I've always served Kael."
Shock spread across the army.
Several soldiers turned against them.
Chaos erupted.
Leon growled.
"Traitors…"
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"...Why?"
The commander smirked.
"Because you're doomed."
He attacked.
The Shadow King blocked.
But more traitors attacked.
Liora fought fiercely.
Golden light exploded.
The battlefield turned chaotic.
Kael laughed.
"This is your end."
The Shadow King attacked violently.
Darkness exploded.
The commander fell.
But the damage was done.
Their formation broke.
The enemy pushed forward.
Liora struggled.
They're losing…
Suddenly—
A soldier screamed.
"Liora!"
She turned—
A dark blade rushed toward her.
Too fast.
Before impact—
The Shadow King blocked.
He pushed her aside.
"I'm fine."
But blood dripped from his arm.
Liora's heart tightened.
"No…"
Kael attacked again.
The battle intensified.
Suddenly—
A massive explosion separated them.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
Liora lost sight of them.
"Shadow King?!"
No response.
Her heart raced.
Suddenly—
A dark figure appeared behind her.
Kael.
Too fast.
She froze.
"You lose."
He raised his hand—
Before he struck—
Silver light flashed.
Leon blocked.
"Not happening."
Kael smirked.
"You again."
They clashed.
Explosion.
Liora joined.
Golden light burst.
The three fought fiercely.
Suddenly—
Kael raised both hands.
Dark energy gathered.
Dangerous.
The Shadow King's voice echoed from afar.
"Liora! Move!"
Too late—
The explosion erupted.
Massive blast.
Everything went silent.
When the smoke cleared—
Liora lay on the ground.
Her vision blurred.
She looked around.
The battlefield destroyed.
Leon nearby.
Injured.
The Shadow King rushed forward.
"Liora!"
She slowly opened her eyes.
"I'm… okay…"
But suddenly—
She noticed something.
Blood.
The Shadow King's chest—
Wounded.
Her eyes widened.
"No…"
He collapsed slightly.
"Liora…"
Her heart shattered.
"NO!"
The final war—
Had just taken a devastating turn.