The corridors of the palace echoed with the sounds of chaos as Lucian advanced, his presence alone enough to send the royal guards scattering in terror. The shadows that danced at his command roiled with dark energy, a visual testament to the fury that burned within him.
As he approached the throne room, the heavy doors swung open as if by their own volition, revealing King Alderon standing defiantly before his throne, surrounded by his most loyal—and last remaining—Dark Binders.
"Lucian," Alderon began, his voice steady despite the clear danger before him, "this destruction serves no purpose. You seek justice, but what justice is there in becoming the monster you feared?"
Lucian's laughter was hollow, echoing ominously through the throne room. "Justice? You speak to me of justice after you've murdered those I cared for, after you've twisted my grief into a weapon against me?" His voice rose, a crescendo of pain and anger. "There is no justice in your reign, only tyranny."
Alderon eyed the dark forces swirling around Lucian warily. "I did what I must to protect my kingdom. Power such as yours cannot be left unchecked. You are proof of that."
"Your fear of power has blinded you," Lucian countered, stepping closer, the dark energy pulsing more intensely with each word. "You fear losing control, so you seek to control everything. But you cannot control grief. You cannot control vengeance."
As the final word hung in the air, Lucian raised his hand, preparing to unleash his full fury upon the king. Alderon, in response, signaled his Dark Binders. A flurry of spells surged towards Lucian, their bright arcs of light slicing through the darkness.
But the spells never reached their target. With a wave of his hand, Lucian absorbed them into the shadows, his power so great now that even the combined might of the kingdom's top sorcerers could not touch him.
Seeing his last defenses failing, Alderon drew a concealed weapon—a dagger imbued with ancient magic, one of the few artifacts he believed could harm Lucian. With a desperate cry, he charged at Lucian, dagger poised to strike.
Lucian, anticipating the move, caught Alderon's wrist with an ease that belied the swirling chaos around him. With his other hand, he summoned a tendril of shadow that wrapped around the king, immobilizing him completely.
"You cannot kill me with shadows," Alderon hissed, struggling against the dark embrace.
"I don't need to kill you," Lucian replied softly, his eyes cold and empty. "I need only to show you what true power is."
With a flick of his wrist, Lucian's shadows tightened, not to kill, but to imprison. Alderon was left bound by darkness, unable to move, a prisoner in his own palace.
Turning his back on the defeated king, Lucian addressed the remaining guards and courtiers, who watched in fearful silence. "Let this be a lesson to all. The reign of fear ends today. I will not rule as he did. I seek not dominion, but freedom—for all of us."
As he spoke, the shadows around him began to dissipate, not because they were weakening, but because Lucian was choosing to withdraw them. He walked out of the throne room, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
Outside, Elara and the spirits of Sir Elric and Aria, now freed from the bindings of the mortal realm, watched Lucian leave. They knew he had crossed into darkness and returned by his own volition, a rare feat. The kingdom would heal, they knew, but it would take time.
Lucian walked alone, the weight of his actions and losses a heavy cloak upon his shoulders. He had avenged, he had conquered, but at what cost? As the first light of dawn touched the horizon, he wondered if he could ever find peace or if the shadows would always be a part of him