Capítulo 27: Chapter 27: Shadows of the Conqueror
Azarion and Sera emerged from the temple into a world bathed in twilight. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long, ominous shadows across the landscape. Though the trial had ended, the tension in the air told them their journey was far from over.
The weight of the Eternal Flame coursing through Azarion's body was both invigorating and overwhelming. Every step he took was steadier, more powerful, as though the ground beneath him acknowledged his presence. Yet the Flame whispered to him—a constant reminder of its immense power and the responsibility that came with it.
Sera glanced at him as they walked, her expression a mixture of awe and unease. "You're different now. Stronger... but quieter. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Azarion stopped and turned to her, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the fading light. "I've been given power, but it's not just mine. The Flame doesn't belong to me—it belongs to everyone. I have to make sure I use it for the right reasons."
Sera smirked. "That's a lot of weight to carry, hero. But don't worry, I'll be here to keep your head from getting too big."
Azarion chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As they continued toward the outskirts of the valley, a faint rumble shook the ground. The sky above darkened unnaturally, the stars dimming as though an invisible hand was snuffing them out.
From the shadows ahead, a figure emerged. Cloaked in darkness, their presence exuded malice. Their face was hidden beneath a black hood, but their voice carried a chilling familiarity.
"So, the bearer of the Eternal Flame finally steps into the light," the figure said, their tone mocking. "How noble of you."
Azarion instinctively drew his sword, its edge igniting with the Flame's power. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped closer, the shadows around them coiling like serpents. "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you've become a threat—a beacon that must be extinguished before it burns too brightly."
Sera drew her daggers, her stance tense. "Great. Another cryptic villain. Can't you people just introduce yourselves properly?"
The figure chuckled darkly. "Very well. You may call me Maldrak, the Shadow Conqueror. And I'm here to ensure the Eternal Flame returns to its rightful master."
Azarion narrowed his eyes. "The Flame belongs to no one but the people it protects. If you think you can take it, you're welcome to try."
Maldrak raised a hand, and the shadows around him surged forward, forming a swirling vortex of darkness. The temperature dropped, and the ground beneath them cracked as the oppressive force of his power spread.
"You're a fool to think you can stand against me, Azarion," Maldrak sneered. "The Flame may burn bright, but shadows always creep where light dares not tread."
---
The battle erupted with an explosion of light and dark. Azarion charged forward, his sword blazing as it collided with Maldrak's shadowy tendrils. Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, the clash of their powers rippling outward.
Sera darted around the battlefield, her daggers flashing as she targeted weak points in Maldrak's defenses. But the shadows seemed to anticipate her movements, blocking her strikes with unnatural precision.
"You're fast," Maldrak said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But you're out of your depth, little thief."
Sera growled, spinning away from a shadowy strike. "Keep talking, shadow boy. I've got plenty of fight left."
Azarion focused his energy, channeling the Flame into a powerful strike. The golden light of his sword cut through the darkness, momentarily dispelling Maldrak's shroud.
The Shadow Conqueror staggered back, his hood falling to reveal a scarred, gaunt face with eyes as black as the void. "Impressive," he admitted, his voice laced with venom. "But you've only scratched the surface of my power."
Maldrak raised both hands, and the shadows around him surged upward, forming a massive, writhing entity that loomed over the battlefield. The creature's eyes glowed crimson, its roar shaking the very earth.
"Face my Shadow Titan," Maldrak declared, his grin twisted with malice. "Let's see how your precious Flame fares against true darkness."
Azarion's grip on his sword tightened as he stared up at the towering monstrosity. The Flame within him roared in response, its warmth surging through his veins.
"Sera," he called out, his voice steady. "I'll handle the Titan. You take care of Maldrak."
Sera hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Try not to get crushed, hero."
With that, Azarion leapt into the fray, his sword blazing like a comet as he clashed with the Shadow Titan. Each swing of his blade sent arcs of golden fire slicing through the darkness, but the Titan was relentless, its massive limbs striking with bone-shattering force.
Sera, meanwhile, circled Maldrak, her movements quick and precise. She feinted left, then struck right, her dagger grazing his side.
Maldrak hissed in pain, his focus split between controlling the Titan and defending himself. "You're more trouble than you're worth, thief."
Sera smirked. "That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all day."
---
The battle raged on, the night filled with fire and shadow. Azarion poured everything he had into fighting the Titan, his strikes growing more precise as he adapted to its movements. With a final, earth-shattering blow, he severed the creature's core, the Titan disintegrating into a torrent of shadowy mist.
Maldrak stumbled, the defeat of his creation weakening him. Sera seized the opportunity, delivering a well-aimed strike to his shoulder.
Azarion approached, his sword glowing with residual energy. "It's over, Maldrak. Surrender."
The Shadow Conqueror glared at him, blood dripping from his wounds. "This is far from over," he spat. "You may have won this battle, but the war is just beginning."
With a swirl of shadows, Maldrak vanished, his parting words echoing in the air. "The Flame will fall. And when it does, so will you."
Azarion and Sera stood in the aftermath of the battle, the silence deafening.
Sera sighed, wiping blood from her daggers. "Well, that was fun. So, what's next?"
Azarion stared into the distance, his resolve hardening. "We keep moving. Maldrak's not the only threat out there. If the Flame is going to protect this world, we have to be ready for whatever comes next."
Together, they set off into the twilight, the path ahead uncertain but their determination unwavering.
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