Chapter 38: The Shadow Sovereign

Azarion stood tall, his sword blazing with fire and shadow as he stared at the figure on the black throne. The air in the chamber was suffocating, thick with a power that threatened to crush his resolve. Sera stepped to his side, her daggers at the ready, though her face betrayed the fear she tried to hide.

The figure on the throne rose, its form shifting and flickering like smoke, cloaked in robes darker than the void. Two glowing violet eyes pierced through the gloom, locking onto Azarion.

"You carry the fire of defiance," the figure said, its voice resonant and ancient, as if spoken from the depths of time itself. "But even the brightest flame cannot withstand the abyss."

Azarion tightened his grip on the sword. "I didn't come here to withstand anything. I came to burn it all down."

The figure chuckled, the sound low and sinister. "Such bold words. But do you know what you stand against, mortal? I am Erevos, the Shadow Sovereign. For eons, kingdoms have crumbled before me. Empires fell to ruin at my feet. And you…are nothing but a fleeting flame."

Sera's voice cut through the tension. "Yeah? Well, this 'fleeting flame' made it this far. What's your excuse for hiding on a throne like a coward?"

The Shadow Sovereign's eyes narrowed, and the chamber trembled. Darkness surged from the throne, writhing like living serpents that coiled around the room. The ground cracked beneath their feet, and the violet glow intensified, casting long, sinister shadows on the walls.

"You dare mock me?" Erevos thundered, his voice shaking the chamber. "Then come! Let me show you the true meaning of despair!"

The darkness lashed out without warning. Azarion shoved Sera aside, barely avoiding the onslaught as tendrils of shadow slammed into the ground where they'd stood. The force of the impact shattered the stone floor, sending jagged shards flying in all directions.

Azarion surged forward, his blade blazing brighter than ever. With a shout, he swung at Erevos, aiming to cleave through the shadowed figure. But the Shadow Sovereign moved like smoke, twisting away from the strike and reforming a few paces away.

"You cannot strike what has no form," Erevos taunted, his laughter echoing through the chamber.

Azarion clenched his jaw, frustration mounting as he turned to face the Sovereign again. The tendrils of darkness writhed and circled, cutting off all escape. Erevos raised a hand, and the shadows pooled together, forming monstrous beasts with glowing eyes.

"Deal with them," Erevos commanded, his voice a whisper that echoed like a roar.

The creatures lunged forward. Their claws raked the air as they charged Azarion and Sera.

"Azarion!" Sera shouted, her voice tense. She was already moving, her daggers flashing as she dodged and countered with deadly precision.

Azarion gritted his teeth, his blade bursting with flame. "I'll handle them. Keep Erevos in your sights!"

With a battle cry, he leapt into the fray, his sword cutting through shadowed flesh. The creatures shrieked as they fell, their forms dissolving into black mist. But for every beast he struck down, more rose to take their place.

Sera fought beside him, her movements quick and fluid. "This is endless!" she yelled, frustration clear in her voice. "We can't keep this up!"

Azarion could feel the strain in his body—the fire in his veins was strong, but even he had limits. Erevos watched them from the edge of the chamber, his form flickering like a cruel specter.

"You cannot win," the Shadow Sovereign's voice echoed in Azarion's mind, colder now, like ice spreading through his thoughts. "Surrender, and I will grant you power beyond your imagination. Become one with the Abyss."

Azarion stumbled, his vision blurring for a moment as the whispers clawed at him. The weight of the darkness pressed down on his chest, making it harder to breathe.

"Azarion!" Sera's voice cut through the fog. She gripped his arm, her eyes blazing with determination. "Stay with me! Don't let him in your head!"

Azarion shook his head, forcing the whispers out. "I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth.

Erevos chuckled darkly. "Futile. The Abyss devours all."

Azarion looked at Sera, then at the Sovereign, his mind racing. They couldn't defeat Erevos like this—he was untouchable as long as he remained in his formless state.

"Sera," Azarion said suddenly, his voice low. "I have an idea. Buy me time."

"What? Time for what?"

"Just trust me."

Sera stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Don't you dare die on me, Azarion."

She turned and charged at the shadow beasts, drawing them away as Azarion closed his eyes and gripped his sword tightly. He focused inward, reaching for the fire within him—not just the flame of power, but the spark of his will. The words of his grandfather echoed in his mind:

"True strength comes from within, but it must also be given shape."

Azarion's eyes snapped open, and his blade flared with a light unlike any before—pure and brilliant, a beacon in the suffocating darkness. The flame twisted and coiled along the blade, spreading outward as if the fire itself had taken life.

Erevos froze, his glowing eyes narrowing. "What…is this?"

Azarion raised his sword, the light pushing back the shadows. "Your end."

The flames burst outward in a radiant wave, burning through the chamber. The shadow beasts disintegrated instantly, their howls lost in the roar of the fire. Erevos raised his arms to shield himself, but the light tore through him, forcing his form to flicker and twist violently.

"Impossible!" Erevos screamed, his voice cracking. "I am eternal!"

Azarion didn't stop. He charged forward, his sword blazing like a sun as he closed the distance. Erevos raised his hands to strike back, but it was too late. Azarion drove the blade into the Shadow Sovereign's chest, the fire erupting in a blinding explosion.

Erevos let out a final, ear-piercing wail as his form shattered into countless shards of darkness, which dissolved into the air. The shadows that had gripped the Citadel began to recede, leaving behind only silence.

Azarion fell to one knee, his sword clattering beside him. The flames faded, leaving a faint glow in the now-dark chamber. Sera ran to his side, her eyes wide with relief.

"Is it over?" she asked, breathing heavily.

Azarion looked up at where Erevos had stood, the throne now empty and crumbling to dust. "For now," he said, his voice low. "But the Abyss doesn't die so easily."

Together, they sat in the aftermath of the battle, the weight of their victory settling over them. Beyond the Citadel walls, the first rays of dawn began to break through the darkness.

But Azarion knew this was only the beginning. The Abyss had been wounded, but not destroyed. And somewhere, it was already beginning to stir again.