The sky split open.
Alexander's slash came down like a golden meteor, crashing into the darkness surrounding Reed.
BOOM!
A wave of holy light shattered the shadows around him, sweeping away the black mist that had been shrouding Nox Valley.
For the first time since the battle began, Reed was pushed back.
His feet slammed into the ground, creating long cracks as he tried to withstand the force of the attack.
Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.
His purple eyes shone brighter, filled with something he had never felt before—unease.
"Interesting…" Reed wiped the blood from his chin. "I didn't think you could force me to retreat."
In front of him, Alexander stood tall. His sword had now truly transformed into a star in the darkness, illuminating the battlefield that had been dominated by shadows.
"You lost, Reed."
His voice was calm, but firm.
However—
Reed only smirked.
"Lost? Me? Are you kidding me, Alexander?"
In one motion, he raised his hand—
And suddenly, the shadows on the ground began to tremble.
The shadows that had been swept away by the light began to writhe again, as if they had acquired a consciousness of their own.
From the cracked ground, black hands emerged again, but this time there were far more of them.
Hundreds. No—thousands.
All of them moved toward Alexander, trying to drag him back into the darkness.
"Light may penetrate shadows, but shadows never truly disappear."
Reed raised a finger.
"Night will always come again."
And then—
A vortex of darkness opened beneath Alexander.
The pull was so strong that the stones around him were sucked into it.
Alexander stabbed his sword into the ground, trying to keep himself from being dragged away.
But slowly—his feet began to sink into the shadows.
A chill rose from beneath him, biting his skin to the bone.
And then, voices began to sound in his mind.
"You can't win…"
"This darkness is eternal…"
"Just accept your fate…"
For a moment, Alexander felt his body weaken.
His mind began to blur.
But before it was all gone—
He gritted his teeth.
"NO!"
The holy light on his body flared brighter.
He gripped his sword tighter—and slashed it down.
ZRAAAASSSHH!
The golden light cut through the shadows beneath him, destroying the dark vortex that was about to swallow him.
His body was free again.
And without hesitation—Alexander charged forward.
His sword vibrated with full force, illuminating the battlefield.
Reed narrowed his eyes.
"Tch. You're stubborn, it seems."
He raised his dagger, preparing to block the attack.
But this time, something was different.
The light surrounding Alexander didn't come from just himself.
It was the light of the ancestors, of the knights who had fought before him.
It was an indestructible legacy.
And in one move—
Alexander slashed.
The Final Clash
BOOOOOOOOM!
His slash cut through the air, through the darkness, through everything.
For the first time, Reed could not dodge.
His black dagger cracked.
The shadows that had enveloped him shattered into pieces.
And his body—thrown far back, crashing into the cliff at the edge of the valley.
Blood spurted from his mouth.
For a moment, the world was silent.
The wind blew softly, carrying dust and the remnants of the now-vanishing shadows.
Alexander stood in the middle of the battlefield, his sword still shining in his hand.
He had won this fight.
But—
As he stepped toward Reed, ready to end it all—
Reed, who should have been nearly defenseless, let out a low laugh.
"Heh… heh… interesting."
Alexander paused.
Reed's purple eyes stared at him with a strange look.
"You may win this battle…"
Suddenly, the ground beneath him began to shake again.
Alexander immediately prepared himself, but he could feel something was wrong.
"But this war has only just begun."
And before Alexander could react—
The shadows around Reed exploded, engulfing his body completely.
In a matter of seconds, he was gone.
Alexander could only stand where he was, with a solemn expression on his face.
This battle was indeed over.
But he knew…
Reed would return.
And when that time came—they would fight again.