Alexander's body shook violently.
Fresh blood flowed from the wounds on his back and stomach, wetting the rocky ground that was now beginning to sink into darkness. His breath was labored, his chest heaving with difficulty.
His eyes were still staring at Reed—full of hatred, but also… fear.
For the first time in his life, Alexander Vael, the Knight of Light, felt afraid.
In front of him, Reed walked slowly.
His steps were unhurried. Unhurried.
As if… he knew that victory was already in his hands.
"Look at you now, knight."
Reed's voice was calm, but behind it was a piercing tone of contempt.
"Vowed to eradicate evil… but now, you are the one dying by my hands."
Alexander gritted his teeth, then gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. The holy light still gleamed faintly on the blade, though dimly.
"I have not lost…" his voice was hoarse, but full of determination.
Reed only smiled thinly.
"Not yet?"
Suddenly, the shadow beneath Alexander moved.
Before the knight could react, a black hand shot out of the ground, grabbing his ankle.
He tried to jump back—
But it was too late.
The shadow pulled him down.
In an instant, the world around him changed.
Alexander felt his body being dragged into the void. The air around him vanished, replaced by whispers that swirled in his ears.
He saw shapeless faces around him, emerging from the shadows and staring at him with blank eyes.
The whispers grew clearer…
"Drop your sword…"
"You cannot win…"
"Light is an illusion…"
Alexander groaned, biting his lip to hold back the fear.
But this darkness… was unlike anything he had ever faced.
His light could not penetrate it.
His prayers could not drive it away.
For the first time in his life…Alexander felt alone.
Reed watched as the knight's body sank into the shadow.
He could feel her final struggle, could feel the holy light fading in the darkness.
"This is the end."
Shia stepped closer, looking from the side. "Are you sure? She's a strong opponent."
Reed smiled coldly. "No one can fight a shadow in its own territory. She may be strong, but now she's just prey."
Shia didn't deny it.
Because that was the absolute truth.
In the Darkness
Alexander was panting.
His hand was still gripping the sword, though his strength was slowly fading.
He knelt down. His knees touched the cold shadowy ground, and his body felt heavier.
But he couldn't give up.
He still had a promise.
He still had faith.
He couldn't die here.
Then, from far away in the darkness, he heard something.
Not the whispers of a demon.
Not the voice of darkness.
But the voice of a girl.
A warm voice. A familiar one.
"Wake up, Alexander… You are more than this…"
His eyes widened.
Her voice… it was Bianca's voice.
(Bianca Estalia, the Princess of Light. The person who meant the most to Alexander.)
Alexander gritted his teeth.
No. He would not fall here.
With the last of his strength, he raised his sword high.
The last light within him began to rekindle.
And then, he cut through the darkness.
Light and Shadow Collide
Reed felt something change.
On the battlefield, the ground beneath him began to tremble.
From within the darkness where Alexander had sunk, a light flashed brightly.
For a moment, the black mist parted. The shadow that had swallowed the knight burned from within.
Shia narrowed her eyes. "No way…"
Then—
A burst of light occurred.
From within the void, a figure of a man leapt out, his body surrounded by a burning holy flame.
It was Alexander.
But this time, he was different.
His robes were torn. His silver armor shone with shining gold engravings. His holy sword now glowed with blue fire emanating from its blade.
And his eyes… were no longer afraid.
"I'm back, Reed."
His tone was no longer one of despair.
But challenge.
Reed smiled.
For the first time in a long time, he felt intrigued.
"Good. Then… let's end this."