Chapter 15: Symphony of Ashes
He stood atop the Throne of Void carved from obsidian and bone Storm winds howled around jagged spires Lightning pulsed within churning black clouds illuminating his pale skin Eyes cold like dying stars Shadows coiled around him like silent serpents whispering forgotten truths into darkened winds
Below him stretched the shattered empire Cities lay in ruin their towers burned to hollow husks Rivers choked with corpses Temples shattered into bleeding stone Thrones split and cast upon silent plains
He raised his hand Shadows pulsed across the horizon Waves of living darkness spread swallowing scorched grass and cracked stone Villages disappeared within silent tides Forests crumbled into black dust Mountains split beneath silent quakes Ash rained upon broken earth drifting down like silent prayers
He stepped down from the Throne of Void Shadows flowed beneath his feet carrying him across shattered plains Each step cracked earth into fissures Shadows poured into those wounds spreading roots of silent oblivion beneath trembling soil
At the edge of the plains lay the Fortress of Dawn carved into a black granite cliff Walls rose high crowned with golden spires Flame banners flapped within dead winds Guardians clad in radiant plate stood in silent ranks Spears etched with sacred prayers Blades engraved with dawn sigils
He approached fortress gates Shadows curling around his ankles rippling across scorched stone Gates trembled under silent tides Steel bent inward Shadows seeped through cracks devouring hinges Chains split Metal peeled away with silent shrieks until gates collapsed inward Shadows poured into fortress halls
Within the grand courtyard warriors raised their spears Shields locked forming a wall of radiant steel Sunlight gleamed across polished plate Helms crowned with golden wings Eyes hidden within dark visors
The commander stepped forward Cloak of white draped across black plate Sword etched with dawn prayers burning within his grip
Shadow King Your reign ends here You will go no further
Ruvan tilted his head Shadows rippled around his feet
Hope is the sweetest lie
He raised his hand Shadows exploded outward Slamming into shield wall Warriors staggered Spears snapped Shields shattered Shadows coiled around steel plates crushing breastplates Splintering bones Blood sprayed across stone courtyards as warriors screamed beneath silent tides
The commander charged Sword blazing with golden fire He swung down upon Ruvan's skull
Shadows surged upward catching blade within silent coils Flames guttered Darkness devoured steel biting through golden sigils Blade cracked under crushing black tendrils Splinters of burning steel scattered across marble tiles
Ruvan raised his hand Shadows wrapped around the commander lifting him into air His white cloak fluttered upon silent winds
Your light ends here
He clenched his fist Shadows crushed black plate Bones split Blood sprayed across shattered banners
He dropped the corpse Shadows rippled across crimson tiles devouring broken steel and burning cloaks Silence fell within ruined courtyards
He walked onward Shadows flowing before him consuming fallen warriors Temples collapsed Towers cracked into fractured stone Bells fell from shattered steeples ringing hollow chimes upon silent winds
At the fortress keep rose the High Cathedral crowned with obsidian spires etched with dawn prayers Flames burned within broken stained glass casting fractured light upon silent halls
Inside the grand nave upon a dais of bone sat the Dawn Prophet clad in robes of woven gold Face hidden behind a mask of radiant silver Hands rested upon an iron staff crowned with burning sapphire
She raised her gaze Voice echoing within shattered cathedral
Shadow King You are darkness without end But light is eternal Dawn will rise beyond your night
Ruvan stepped forward Shadows rippling across black marble
There is no dawn only shadows dancing within greater darkness
She raised her staff Flames exploded outward bathing nave in white fire Shadows recoiled across obsidian pillars Light burned against black tides illuminating carved prayers within silent stone
Ruvan raised his hand Shadows surged forward Devouring flames Crushing radiant sigils Staff cracked within silent coils Burning sapphire shattered into molten shards
She screamed as shadows coiled around golden robes Flesh peeled away Bones split Blood sprayed across marble altars Shadows devoured her light dragging silent corpse into fathomless dark
He turned away walking down silent nave Shadows flowed after him consuming golden icons and burning candles Ash drifted down across shattered pews covering silent corpses in grey oblivion
He exited the cathedral into dawn winds Shadows surged behind him like an endless tide Beyond fortress walls the empire trembled Rivers burned beneath black skies Towers cracked into silent ruin Temples shattered Thrones split into silent stone
He closed his eyes
Today I burned your gods Today I erased your knowledge Today I slaughtered your kings Today I devoured your light
Tomorrow I will consume your hope
Beyond hope I will teach you despair etched into dying bones
Beyond despair I will teach you oblivion
And beyond oblivion I will teach you the silence of the eternal abyss
He opened his eyes
Dawn burned pale across silent mountains Shadows rose behind him like endless walls of darkness The empire lay upon broken knees Echoes of silent screams carried upon dead winds
And they would teach the world the truth of nothingness