WebNovels

Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: The Champion Falls

⚔️ The Clash of Titans

The sun dipped low behind jagged mountains as Blackfang Keep braced under siege. The air vibrated with tension—the clash of steel, the roar of battle cries, the crackling of necromantic flames mingled with divine light.

Lucien stood at the forefront of the outer wall, the Crown pulsing with a fierce heartbeat against his skull. Across the battlefield, a figure approached—radiant armor glinting like a constellation come to life, each movement commanding awe and dread.

The golden champion advanced with the silent certainty of a god's wrath incarnate. His sword, forged from burning stars, left trails of scorching light in his wake. With every step, the earth seemed to tremble beneath the weight of divine power.

"Lucien Draemir," the champion's voice boomed like a tempest, "you cannot protect the boy forever. Surrender the Third Sun, and your life may yet be spared."

Lucien's lips curled into a grim smile. "You'll have to kill me first."

Around them, the siege raged. Celestial warriors and Lucien's undead legions clashed beneath the walls. The queens fought at his side, every breath charged with desperation and resolve.

🛡️ The Duel Begins

Without warning, the champion lunged. His blazing sword arced through the air, a comet of fury aimed straight at Lucien's chest.

Lucien raised a shield of necrotic energy—bones weaving into a thick, dark barrier. The two forces collided with a deafening boom, shockwaves radiating through the stone battlements.

Lucien felt the impact slam into his chest, rattling his bones, but the Crown's power held firm.

He countered swiftly, summoning skeletal hands from the ground to grasp at the champion's sword, attempting to bind it in shadow. The champion grunted, breaking free with a surge of radiant energy that sent the skeletons flying like leaves in a storm.

Kaelira surged forward, twin blades gleaming with deadly intent. Her strikes were swift and precise, aiming for the champion's exposed ribs.

But with a graceful twist, the champion turned his sword into a whirlwind of celestial fire, sending Kaelira hurtling backwards, her body striking the stone wall hard.

Velka snarled and leapt into the fray, claws alight with dark flame, aiming to rip into the champion's back.

The champion pivoted just in time, catching Velka mid-pounce with one hand, slamming her into the wall with a crushing force that made the ground shudder.

🔥 The Queens Join

From the battlements above, Serael unleashed a volley of enchanted arrows, each shaft blazing with divine magic.

One by one, the arrows struck the champion's armor, piercing briefly before he deflected them with a flick of his blazing sword.

Lucien shouted above the roar of battle, voice sharp and commanding, "Protect Caelen! I'll hold the champion here!"

Behind the protective walls, Caelen—the Starborn—watched with wide, uncertain eyes, his hands gripping a sword almost too large for him.

The champion roared, his strikes intensifying. Each swing sent arcs of searing light slicing through Lucien's dark shields, threatening to break his defense.

⚡ Turning the Tide

Lucien gritted his teeth, feeling every blow chip away at his concentration and strength.

Drawing on every ounce of power in the Crown, he slammed his staff against the ground, cracking the earth beneath the champion's feet.

From the fissures burst skeletal warriors, bony hands clawing and grasping at the golden figure.

The champion swung his sword wildly, cleaving through bone and shadow, but the sheer number of foes slowed him, forcing him to guard more than attack.

Kaelira regained her footing and attacked the champion's legs with a swift, slicing strike. Velka followed, slashing with flaming claws into his back, forcing the champion to stagger forward.

Serael fired arrow after arrow, distracting and wearing down their foe.

Lucien pressed his advantage, the Crown flaring with dark energy as he moved closer, his voice low but fierce:

"This ends now."

💥 Final Blow

With a roar that shook the heavens, Lucien unleashed a massive necrotic blast—chains forged of shadow and bone erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around the champion's armor.

The constellations on the champion's breastplate flickered and dimmed as the chains constricted, breaking the radiant glow piece by piece.

Struggling against the bindings, the champion's sword shattered into fragments of light, scattering across the battlements like shooting stars.

Lucien stepped forward, his eyes blazing with relentless determination.

"This is your end."

He raised his staff, channeling the full might of the Crown's necromantic power into one final strike.

The chains tightened, dragging the champion to his knees. With a burst of withering energy, Lucien shattered the champion's armor, and the once-proud figure collapsed, defeated and broken upon the cold stone floor.

🖋️ Aftermath

The battlefield fell eerily silent for a moment, broken only by the heavy breaths of Lucien and his queens.

Caelen stepped forward from the shadows, eyes wide and shining with a newfound resolve.

Lucien's gaze softened as he nodded at the boy. "You did well watching from the sidelines. Soon, you'll stand with us in the fight."

Kaelira sheathed her blades, and Velka stretched, licking a smear of blood from her claw.

Serael's gaze remained sharp, watching the horizon.

Lucien knew this victory was only the beginning—the gods would not relent.

📣 CTA (Call-to-Action)

The champion has fallen, but the gods will send more forces.

Should Lucien push the attack to keep the momentum, or fortify Blackfang Keep for the inevitable next wave?

💬 Comment your choice: Attack or Defend?

🔜 Next Chapter: "The Siege's Turning Point"

Lucien makes a bold move that could change the course of the war—if it doesn't destroy him first.

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