Chapter:8-Shadows And Escape

(The entire forge trembles. The battle between Zephyrn and the Dark Knight has begun.)

(Blades clash, sending shockwaves through the stone walls. Every impact between them distorts the air itself—a clash of darkness and frost, of chaos and control. But it doesn't take long for Zephyrn to realize—**)

(He is losing.)

(Badly.)

A Battle Already Decided

(Zephyrn grits his teeth as he barely deflects the next strike. The Dark Knight moves with precise, overwhelming force—his blade is not just powerful, but absolute. Every swing pushes Zephyrn back, every attack forces him onto the defensive.**)

Zephyrn (thinking, breathing heavily): This… This isn't normal.

(He expected a fight. He expected to test himself.)

(But this? This is complete domination.)

(His armor is already cracked. His movements slower. His frost aura flickers. The weight of the Dark Knight's presence alone is crushing. Zephyrn isn't just fighting an enemy—he's fighting a force of nature itself.**)

(Then—)

(SLASH—!!!)

(Zephyrn barely twists his body, but it's too late. A deep cut slices through his side, black energy burning into him. He stumbles back, blood dripping onto the floor.**)

(The Dark Knight doesn't stop. He advances, his voice cold, merciless.)

Dark Knight (low voice): "Your time is over."

(Zephyrn exhales sharply. His instincts scream—if he keeps fighting, he will die.)

(He has no choice.)

A Desperate Escape

Zephyrn (grinning weakly): "Hah… Well then."

(**He raises his blade—but not to fight. Instead, he twists it midair, carving a rune into the space before him. The room darkens as a crimson-black portal begins to form, swirling with an abyssal energy. The air grows cold—not from Zephyrn's frost, but from the realm beyond. A dimension where only darkness thrives.)

Dark Knight (narrowing his eyes): "Tch."

(The Dark Knight moves, aiming to strike Zephyrn down before he escapes—)

(But Zephyrn smirks and steps backward into the portal. His form distorts, swallowed by the darkness.)

Zephyrn (grinning, voice fading): "See you soon, knight."

(And then, he's gone.)

(WHOOSH—!!!)

(The portal collapses behind him. Silence follows.)

The Oathbound Knight's Choice

(**The Dark Knight watches for a moment, his glowing eyes narrowing beneath his helm. He doesn't follow. Instead, he turns—toward Kael and Liza.)

(His aura softens, the overwhelming menace fading. Slowly, he kneels beside them.)

(With a simple motion, a dark mist-like energy swirls around his hands. But it is not harmful. Instead, the mist seeps into their wounds—closing them, stabilizing their breathing. Even Liza, who had been motionless, twitches slightly.**)

(The Dark Knight exhales, his voice barely a whisper.)

Dark Knight: "The vessel must not fall yet."

(And with that, his work is done. He rises, stepping into the shadows. The forge falls silent once more—as if he was never there. And then—he vanishes.**)

(Minutes pass. The once-chaotic battlefield is now eerily still. The flickering forge fires cast long shadows over the broken floor, over the bloodstains left behind.**)

(Then—)

(FOOTSTEPS—HEAVY AND PURPOSEFUL.)

(A group of armored figures rush into the chamber, their leader stepping forward. His presence alone commands respect. A man of authority. A man of power.)

(His eyes scan the scene—then land on the two unconscious figures.)

(His expression shifts—concern, then anger.)

??? (coldly): "What happened here?"

(He strides forward, kneeling beside Liza, then Kael. His eyes narrow, recognition flashing across his face.**)

??? (low voice): "Who did this?"

(His soldiers look at each other, hesitant. But no one has an answer.)

(Because the only ones who knew—were gone.)