Chapter 41: When the King Falls
The battlefield froze.
Liora stared at the blood spreading across the Shadow King's chest.
"No…"
Her voice trembled.
The Shadow King's body weakened as he fell forward.
She caught him.
"Stay with me… please…"
His breathing became shallow.
"...Liora…"
Her hands shook as golden light burst from her palms.
"I'm healing you… you'll be fine…"
But the wound didn't close.
Her eyes widened.
"...Why… why isn't it working?"
Leon rushed forward, injured but still standing.
"Liora… that's dark curse magic…"
Her heart sank.
"Curse…?"
Leon nodded grimly.
"Kael's blade… it prevents healing."
Her breathing became uneven.
"No… no…"
The Shadow King's fingers weakly touched her wrist.
"...Don't cry."
Her tears fell uncontrollably.
"I'm not losing you…"
Suddenly—
Kael descended slowly from the sky.
His golden eyes glowed coldly.
"You should let him die."
Liora's eyes turned cold instantly.
"...You."
Dark aura surrounded Kael.
"He was always destined to fall."
The Shadow King struggled to move.
"Liora… don't…"
But she gently placed him down.
Her wings slowly appeared.
Golden light grew brighter.
Her aura changed.
The air trembled.
Leon stepped back slightly.
"...Her power…"
Liora stood up slowly.
Her eyes glowed pure gold.
"You… hurt him."
Her voice echoed.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Kael smiled faintly.
"And?"
The ground cracked.
Golden energy surged from Liora.
"I won't forgive you."
Her wings expanded.
Larger than ever before.
The sky lit up.
The soldiers froze.
Even Kael narrowed his eyes.
"...Interesting."
She moved.
Faster than before.
She attacked instantly.
Golden blade cut through the air.
Kael blocked—
But slid back.
The battlefield shook.
She attacked again.
Stronger.
Faster.
Kael countered.
But she pushed him back.
Leon watched in shock.
"She's… overpowering him…"
Liora's light burned brighter.
Her attacks became relentless.
Kael blocked—
But for the first time—
He struggled.
She appeared behind him.
Golden spear formed.
She struck.
Kael dodged—
But his shoulder was cut.
Blood fell.
He smiled slowly.
"...So this is your true power."
She didn't respond.
She attacked again.
The sky filled with golden light.
Explosions echoed.
Kael stepped back.
For the first time—
He looked serious.
He raised his hand.
Dark storm formed.
Lightning struck.
She charged forward.
Light and darkness collided.
The sky cracked.
The battlefield trembled violently.
Suddenly—
Kael disappeared.
He appeared behind her.
Too fast.
He struck—
But she blocked.
Their powers exploded again.
The Shadow King watched weakly.
"...Liora…"
Her power surged.
She attacked again.
Golden beam shot forward.
Kael blocked—
But was pushed back.
He laughed softly.
"...You've grown."
Suddenly—
He raised both hands.
Dark sphere formed.
Dangerous.
She attacked.
The sphere exploded.
Massive shockwave spread.
Both pushed back.
Liora landed.
Breathing heavily.
Her aura flickered slightly.
She's reaching her limit…
Kael noticed.
"...You're burning your life force."
She clenched her fists.
"I don't care."
She attacked again.
Golden storm filled the sky.
Kael blocked.
But slid back further.
The battlefield shook violently.
Suddenly—
Her wings flickered.
Her body trembled.
Leon shouted.
"Liora! Stop!"
But she ignored him.
She attacked again.
Final strike.
Golden light exploded.
Kael blocked—
But was forced back.
He landed far away.
He looked at her quietly.
"...Enough for today."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
He raised his hand.
Dark portal opened.
"You've grown…"
His eyes darkened.
"But next time…"
He stepped back.
"I'll end everything."
He disappeared.
The enemy army retreated.
Silence fell.
Liora's wings faded.
Her body weakened.
She collapsed.
Leon caught her.
"Liora!"
The Shadow King slowly crawled forward.
"Liora…"
She looked at him weakly.
"...You're safe…"
Then—
She lost consciousness.
The battlefield fell silent.
But the war—
Was far from over.