Chapter 8: Destiny Awaits

The citadel teemed with activity as Ebonheart's forces prepared to descend upon Eldoria. Gavin held vigil upon a crumbling spire, discerning demonic legions massing amid murky mists—winged hydras spewing noxious vapor, lamias twisting serpentine forms, chimerae breathing hellfire, and countless night-spawned monstrosities awaiting their commander's word. All demons' previous forms are taken from ancient mythology, as people used to worship them ages ago in those forms.

Through it all shone Ebonheart's baleful gaze, saturated with ages of scheming and malice. Gavin knew that confronting such vast malevolence alone spelled certain doom. Yet retreat meant condemnation of his homeland. He steeled himself, praying for strength to thwart darkness' designs.

As dusk fell, a rumble built beyond the citadel—stormwinds howled as jet clouds roiled and shot through with violet lightning. Gavin grasped the meaning: the host was airborne, vast wings blackening the sky on course to rain oblivion upon Eldoria. He could delay no more.

Raising the sacred symbol aloft, Gavin challenged the shadowwyrm within its throne room of primal ice. Ebonheart loomed immense before jagged windows, its malignant aura leeching what vestiges of warmth lingered. So the insect returns for final reprimand, the dragon mused. Your bravery amuses me, knight. Face annihilation and see if your God can deliver you from my hand!

He will! Gavin declared. For him, my home, and righteousness, I defy you, demon! Long may the King of Kings' Yeshua reign forever! Their battle commenced with a fury rivaling the tempest without, darkness and steel exchanged amid Runesoldered ice cracking with potency.

Through it all, Gavin withstood the demon's might that would rend a soul from flesh, countering each strike with steady hymns to God's lending fortitude. His blade sang as it cleaved through shadow, drawing the first true blood upon the shadowwyrm. Raw demonic essence seeped from jet scales, yet the light burned brighter, driving Ebonheart into furious desperation.

The citadel shuddered violently as their conflict raged, the conflict warring to its foundations. Chunks of glacier sheared away, plummeting into the frigid darkness beyond. Gavin parried a jet of vile miasma, rolling beneath Ebonheart's lashing tail to deliver a blow carving deep. The shadowwyrm howled, summoning every last reserve of occult might.

From the dragon boiled a maelstrom of darkness intent on unmaking all light. Gavin called on reserves of faith in Yeshua, keeping vigil against the abyss since times long forgotten. Radiance burst forth in answer, banishing shadows to reveal Ebonheart's true nature—an ancient demon who has manifested only to sow chaos and misery.

With a cry of triumph and grief, Gavin charged. His blessed blade sheared through ancient flesh and bone, severing the shadowwyrm's head from its body in a gout of ichor black as the void. Ebonheart's death throes shook the citadel to ruin as fire consumed its cursed remains. Gavin gave thanks to God for the victory in solemn prayer. Without him, he would have never won.

The climactic duel was finished, yet there were greater struggles that lay ahead. For without its commander, what would become of the airborne host?