The Shadow That Won’t Die

The battlefield was eerily silent in the wake of the archway's collapse. Dust and debris hung thick in the air, making it hard to see beyond a few feet. Kai stood at the edge of the rubble, his sword still raised, his chest heaving from exhaustion.

Was it over?

The coalition soldiers hesitated, their confidence shaken. Their once-invincible commander, General Veydris, was buried beneath tons of stone.

Lyra, her face streaked with blood and sweat, moved beside Kai. "Did that really work?" she asked, keeping her daggers at the ready.

Solis, limping from a wound on his side, let out a strained chuckle. "If it did, I owe Kai a drink."

Elira stood atop the ruins, scanning the battlefield. "We need to push now. If their morale breaks, we can end this today."

Kai nodded, stepping forward. "Everyone, press the attack! Drive them—"

A deep, rumbling sound interrupted him.

The ground trembled.

Then, from beneath the rubble, a single black gauntlet emerged, crushing stone in its grip.

Kai's stomach dropped.

"No," Lyra whispered.

The coalition soldiers, once hesitant, erupted into cheers.

And then, with a force that sent broken rock flying, Veydris rose from the wreckage.

His black armor was dented and cracked, blood dripping from fresh wounds. His left arm hung limply, crushed under the weight of the collapse. But his eyes—his cold, ruthless eyes—still burned with the fire of an unbroken warrior.

Kai felt a chill run down his spine.

"This man…" he thought. "He won't die."

Veydris stepped forward, dragging his greatsword behind him. Dust and blood covered his face, but the smirk never left his lips.

"Clever," the black knight admitted, his voice strained but unwavering. "But you'll have to do better than that."

Kai barely had time to react before Veydris moved again.

Faster than a man with his injuries should be able to, he swung his greatsword. Kai blocked, but the sheer force of the impact sent him skidding back, his feet nearly losing traction on the rubble.

Solis and Lyra rushed to Kai's side, weapons raised.

"Stay back!" Kai ordered. "He's mine."

Lyra clenched her fists. "Are you crazy? He's still standing after that!"

Kai knew she was right. Veydris wasn't human—he was something else, something relentless.

But Kai had come too far to back down now.

Taking a deep breath, he tightened his grip on his sword. "This time, I finish it."

Veydris chuckled. "Then come, boy. Show me what you've got."

With a roar, Kai charged forward.

And the battle for survival began once more.