Awakening the Storm

The battlefield trembled beneath Kai's feet as the artifact's energy surged through him. His sword, once merely an extension of his will, now burned with a power that felt limitless—like a tempest waiting to be unleashed.

Veyrin studied him in silence, his crimson eyes narrowing. The shadows around him writhed, responding to his growing irritation. "So, the artifact has finally chosen you," he murmured. "But power without control is a dangerous thing, boy."

Kai exhaled, steadying his stance. "Then I'll learn to control it. Starting now."

Without another word, he launched himself forward.

The energy surrounding him flared like a comet as he closed the distance between them in an instant. His sword slashed toward Veyrin's chest, a streak of golden-blue fire trailing in its wake.

But Veyrin was fast.

Dark tendrils coiled around him, forming a barrier of pure abyssal energy. Kai's sword met the barrier with a deafening crack, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Sparks flew as light and darkness clashed, neither side yielding.

"You think raw power is enough?" Veyrin sneered. "You're still a child playing with forces beyond your comprehension."

With a flick of his wrist, the barrier erupted, sending a wave of dark energy crashing into Kai. He barely had time to raise his blade before the force sent him skidding backward.

But this time, he didn't fall.

Kai dug his heels into the ground, his energy flaring even brighter. The impact marks on his body from earlier battles had already begun to fade, the artifact working to repair the damage.

I can feel it… The power of the artifact is evolving.

Lyra, still watching from a distance, gasped. "His energy—it's growing stronger!"

Solis, who had begun to stir from his earlier defeat, forced himself to sit up. He could barely believe what he was witnessing. "That glow… It's the artifact's true form."

Veyrin clicked his tongue. "You're more persistent than I thought." He extended his hand, and the ground beneath him darkened. The shadows coiled and twisted, rising into jagged black spikes. "But persistence means nothing against absolute power."

With a snap of his fingers, the spikes launched toward Kai like a barrage of lances.

Kai's instincts took over. Instead of dodging, he swung his sword in a wide arc. The artifact's power roared to life, sending out a wave of golden fire that shattered the incoming attack. The dark spikes disintegrated on contact, their energy dissolving like smoke.

Veyrin's smirk faltered. "So… you're finally beginning to understand."

Kai took a deep breath. The power flowing through him was immense, but unlike before, it no longer felt overwhelming. It felt right.

He raised his sword, and the golden flames surrounding him coiled together, forming the shape of a massive dragon—a beast of pure energy, its eyes burning with determination.

"I don't care how strong you are, Veyrin," Kai said, his voice steady. "I'll protect the people I care about. I won't let you take this power for yourself."

Veyrin's gaze darkened. "Then you've chosen your fate."

With a flick of his cape, the shadows around him began to condense, forming a monstrous figure behind him—a being of pure darkness, its crimson eyes glowing like molten embers.

The two warriors stood at the center of the battlefield, their energies colliding in an unseen storm.

The final battle between light and darkness had begun.