The commander of shadows stood at the far end of the alley, its monstrous form hunched yet towering, its limbs stretched like knives, its eyes burning like molten coals. Unlike the countless lesser creatures they had just faced, this one radiated intelligence—cold, sharp, merciless.
Kael's grip tightened on his sword as the oppressive aura pressed against him, heavier than chains, suffocating.Damn it… I wasn't ready for a commander this soon. They must have sensed her awakening already.
He angled his body slightly to shield Liya behind him, his voice low and firm."Stay close. Don't run. If you lose sight of me, you won't survive."
Liya's knees shook so hard she could barely stand. Every instinct in her screamed to turn and flee, to escape the monster advancing toward them. But something in Kael's tone—unyielding, certain—made her obey.
The commander's voice was a hiss, layered with echoes, like a thousand whispers crawling into her mind."Heir of Light… at last, you stand revealed."
Liya's heart slammed against her ribs.Heir of Light? Me?
Her throat went dry. "I don't… I don't know what you're talking about!"
The shadow's grin widened, jagged teeth gleaming within the dark void of its mouth."Ignorance will not save you. You belong to our master. You always have."
Kael raised his blade, silver sparks rippling across its edge."She belongs to no one."
The commander lunged, the ground cracking beneath its weight. Its claw came down like a guillotine, glowing with infernal fire. Kael intercepted, steel clashing against shadow, the impact shaking the walls around them.
"Run, Liya!" Kael shouted, his boots sliding across the wet pavement.
"I—" Her voice broke. "You said not to—"
"I changed my mind!" he barked, pushing back against the claw with every ounce of his strength. Sparks of shadow and silver rained around them.
But Liya couldn't move. She was frozen, caught between terror and disbelief. Her hands trembled, light flickering faintly across her skin, as if some force inside her was begging to be unleashed.
Kael twisted his sword, forcing the commander back a step, but the creature laughed—a sound like glass shattering."Your light is weakening, outcast prince. You cannot protect her forever."
Liya's gaze snapped to Kael. Prince?
But before she could process, the commander swept its massive arm sideways. Kael blocked, but the force sent him crashing into the wall. His sword clattered against the ground, sliding just out of reach.
"No!" Liya cried, rushing to him.
He gritted his teeth, blood trailing from his lip. "Stay… back…"
The commander stalked toward them, every step echoing with dread."Surrender, child. The light within you is not yours to wield. It belongs to the abyss."
"No…" Liya whispered, tears blurring her vision. "No, it doesn't…"
Her hands burned again, light surging brighter this time. A warmth spread through her veins, overwhelming, terrifying, yet strangely… right. The glow flared so fiercely that the commander recoiled, shielding its face with an inhuman snarl.
Kael's eyes widened from where he knelt.She's manifesting already? But it's too soon… she won't be able to control it!
"Liya!" he shouted. "Listen to me—don't let it consume you! Focus!"
But she barely heard him. The light roared from her chest, flooding the alley like dawn breaking through midnight. The commander shrieked as its dark body sizzled beneath the brilliance, chunks of shadow flaking off like ash.
Yet the power was wild, unrefined. Liya screamed as her body trembled violently, the light crackling and lashing out like lightning. She wasn't controlling it—it was consuming her.
Her knees buckled, her vision dimming at the edges. Make it stop… someone, make it stop!
Kael forced himself up, staggering toward her. His hand clasped hers, anchoring her in the storm."Look at me!" he commanded.
Her tear-filled eyes snapped to his.
"You are not alone in this," he said, his voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos. "The light is yours. No one else's. Claim it."
Something shifted inside her chest. The roaring storm of power answered her desperate will, slowly bending, tightening, shaping itself rather than tearing her apart.
Her glow steadied, no longer lashing wildly but focusing in her palms like two radiant spheres.
The commander roared and charged again, desperate to strike before she mastered it.But this time—Liya moved first.
Her hands thrust forward instinctively, releasing a beam of pure white energy that tore through the night. It collided with the commander's chest, blasting a hole straight through its shadowy form.
The creature's scream was deafening, its body unraveling into black smoke that scattered into the rain-soaked air.
Silence followed.
Liya collapsed, gasping, her glow fading until only trembling hands remained.Kael caught her before she hit the ground, holding her close against his chest.
She panted, her face pale. "Did… did I kill it?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "No. You destroyed its vessel. Commanders of shadow never die so easily. It will reform, somewhere else, and come again."
Her heart sank. "Then what's the point? How am I supposed to fight something that won't die?"
His gaze softened just slightly, though his arms around her remained firm, steady."Because each time you stand against them, you grow stronger. That's what they fear."
Her lips trembled. "I'm not strong. I'm just… me."
He brushed a strand of wet hair from her face, his eyes searching hers."You're not just you, Liya. You are the Heir of Light. The one destined to decide this war."
The words struck her like a blade of truth. She wanted to reject them, to deny everything. But the memory of the light in her hands, of the way it had responded to her will—it was undeniable.
Before she could answer, a faint laugh echoed from the darkness above.
Both their heads snapped upward. On the rooftop, cloaked in black, stood a figure—taller, regal, with eyes glowing crimson. Unlike the mindless shadows, this one exuded presence. Authority.
The figure's voice rolled through the rain like velvet laced with venom."Well, well… so the Heir of Light truly has awakened. My master will be most pleased."
Kael's entire body tensed, fury flashing across his features."You." His voice was low, seething.
The figure chuckled. "Did you really think we would send only a commander? This is just the beginning, Kael. You cannot protect her from us."
And with that, the figure vanished into mist, leaving only the echo of its laughter.
Liya clutched Kael's sleeve, her voice barely a whisper."Who… who was that?"
His jaw clenched, storm-gray eyes hard as steel."One of the generals. A herald of the Shadow King."
Her blood ran cold. "The Shadow King?"
Kael turned to her, his hand still gripping hers tightly. His expression was grim, resolute."Yes. The one who started this war. The one who sent those monsters after you. And the one who will stop at nothing to claim you."
Liya's breath caught, terror and disbelief swirling within her. She had barely survived a single battle—and now she was being hunted by a king of shadows?
Her voice shook as she whispered:"…What do they want with me?"
Kael's silence was heavier than any answer he could have given.
Rain poured harder as Kael finally spoke, his voice edged with both fear and fury."They want you… because you are the only one who can kill him."