Chapter 9: Shadow Clash
Seraphina strode through the palace gates, Grace slumbering peacefully in soothing gardens. Healers tended her wounds, yet shadows lingered where Malachi's malice had struck.
Solomon appeared grave. Dark tidings come—Shadowfall's forces mass once more upon the border. Malachi must be stopped before war engulfs the realm.
Seraphina faced Leonidas in the gleaming throne room, where banners rippled defiantly. Your Majesty, grant me leave to challenge Malachi. Ending his tyranny alone can secure lasting peace.
The king studied her somberly. Your courage knows no bounds, young Guardian. But Malachi's evil runs deep—are you certain none but you can face him?
I must try. For all who have suffered and those yet to be saved, I will prevail or perish in the attempt. Grace's near-fall awoke a fire that wrath alone cannot quench.
Very well. Go with prayers for victory and return in triumph. The realm's fate rides with you. May El Shaddai light your path!
She embraced companions who had become dearer than any memory as knights readied steeds. Solomon laid a hand on her arm. Remember, doubt and fear are shadows; have faith that the light of the Creator within will guide your hand. Her sword glinted resolutely as she rode into the mists veiling Shadowfall.
Its gates loomed, jagged and foreboding. Seraphina descended into its icy maw alone, her senses heightened to the shadows' whispers. A presence stalked unseen; a mocking laugh echoed. So the mouse has come to face the hawk at last. I await you in the arena, little hero, for your defeat shall be sport!
She sped through passageways twisting in on themselves as spectral faces jeered from the walls. At last, an archway opened onto a vast oval-sanded arena ringed by seats filled with warped creatures awaiting bloodsport.
In the center, Malachi paced, armored in adamantine, his eyes agleaming with malevolence. Come, insect, let us see if your light can stand against true might! Their blades clashed in a fury where any edged possession meant finality.
Seraphina parried each blow, yet doubt assailed—how could mere virtue stand against such a fallen power? Malachi's scornful laughter mocked her flagging reflexes. Is that all your vaunted light from your God amounts to an insect? Pathetic!
She nearly faltered, and then Grace's whispered words echoed in memory. Have faith. The light of El Shaddai will guide you. Seraphina closed her eyes, seeing not Malachi but the faces of all the people she fought for, smiling in encouragement. She felt the presence of the Creator, giving her peace and a love that surpassed all understanding.
Light swelled within, swirling about her blade in a corona banishing shadows' whispering. With renewed vigor, her assault beat Malachi back step by step under the sword's purifying radiance. His snarls twisted into a scream of anguish and loathing as the truths of the Creator's purity scorched him to his core.
The demonic army fled howling as Malachi lay defeated. The Shadow Lord appeared in the form of a bulking mass of ominous shadows, but he couldn't stand the presence of El Shaddai within her. She spoke his name with faithful authority, dealing a severe blow to the Shadow Lord. So he took Malachi and retreated with a roar of rage and despair. Shadowfall's gates dissipate from the realm. Seraphina smiled, knowing that wherever innocence suffers, the love of the Creator shall ever transcend any darkness attempting to smother it. Her task was done, and with it, peace was secured for Etherea. For now, through faith in El Shaddai, light may yet be rekindled.