Chapter 111: The King's Last Stand
Scene: The battlefield is a wasteland of scorched earth and fallen warriors. Zarek, now in his full demonic form, flies through the battlefield, his dark wings propelling him toward the heart of the South Nation's forces. His target is clear—King Alden. The air crackles with his malevolent energy, his intent undeniable. In the distance, King Alden stands tall, knowing what is to come.
Narrator: King Alden, the ruler of the South Nation, watches as Zarek closes in on him. He is painfully aware of the gravity of the situation—his people are losing, his heroes are fallen, and his own strength is nearly spent. He knows that this battle will be his last.
King Alden's face is etched with a grim acceptance as he closes his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The weight of his responsibility as king presses on his heart, but his thoughts are not of fear—they are of duty. He knows he won't survive this, but he has one final task.
He opens his eyes, the flames of his mana still flickering faintly within him. With a deep breath, he enhances his vocal cords with his remaining mana, preparing to speak words that will echo across the battlefield.
King Alden: (booming) My subjects, hear me!
His voice reverberates like thunder across the battlefield, cutting through the sounds of clashing swords and mana bursts. Every knight, every soldier, every citizen fighting for the South Nation halts, their eyes turning toward their king. Even the enemies pause, sensing the importance of his words.
King Alden: (loudly) I, Alden Navacos III, hereby appoint Commander Thalanor to take the throne after my death. Every citizen must follow him to the end!
The battlefield falls into a stunned silence. The weight of King Alden's proclamation hangs heavy in the air, the reality of the situation sinking in. This is his final command. His subjects—knights, heroes, and soldiers alike—exchange glances, understanding the gravity of his words. Their king is ready to sacrifice himself.
Commander Thalanor, standing near the fallen body of his son Eren, looks up at his king. His heart clenches in his chest, but he knows what must be done. He nods silently, his expression stoic as he accepts the responsibility being placed upon him.
Commander Thalanor: (softly) I will not fail you, my king.
Zarek, watching from above, lands softly near King Alden, his dark energy rippling around him like a storm waiting to unleash. His glowing purple eyes lock onto the king, and for a moment, the battlefield seems to hold its breath.
Zarek: (calmly) Do you have any last words, King Alden?
King Alden, his gaze steady and unwavering, meets Zarek's eyes. There is no fear in his expression, only the quiet dignity of a ruler who has accepted his fate. His voice is calm, almost peaceful, as he speaks.
King Alden: (softly) I hope your people get a better future, Zarek.
For a moment, Zarek freezes. The sincerity in King Alden's voice catches him off guard, and something stirs deep within him—something human. His expression softens, and a small, almost pained smile crosses his face.
Zarek: (quietly) Stupid old man. You're about to be killed by a 17-year-old boy.
Despite his mocking words, there's a hint of sadness in Zarek's eyes. But the moment passes quickly, and his demonic energy flares once more, the cruel smirk returning to his lips. King Alden, seeing that the time for talk has ended, gathers all his remaining strength. He feels the intense heat of his Flame Mana burning within his core, and he knows this will be his final attack.
His hair begins to glow with the intensity of the flames inside him, a blazing aura surrounding his body. The air around him crackles with heat, and his voice drops to a whisper.
King Alden: (whispering) Asura's Inferno.
With that, King Alden unleashes the full power of his most devastating technique. A tornado of flames erupts from his body, swirling into a massive inferno that engulfs Zarek in a sea of fire. The flames roar with a fury that shakes the battlefield, their heat so intense that the very ground beneath them scorches and cracks.
Zarek screams as the flames tear at his skin, his demonic form momentarily struggling against the overwhelming heat. His body is covered in burns, his skin searing under the relentless fire. But despite the pain, Zarek's demonic power surges within him, pushing back against the inferno.
With a single, powerful breath, Zarek summons his demon mana and blows the flames away, dispersing the inferno in an instant. His body is charred and bloodied, but his dark energy remains strong, his purple eyes glowing fiercely. He looks at King Alden, who is now on his knees, exhausted and barely able to stand.
Zarek: (softly) I'm sorry, King Alden.
Without another word, Zarek raises his hand, gathering the last of his demonic energy into a pulsating sphere. The Death Bomb crackles with malevolent force, glowing with a dark purple light. Zarek releases the sphere, sending it hurtling toward King Alden.
The explosion is deafening. A violent surge of demonic energy erupts from the Death Bomb, consuming King Alden in a blinding flash of purple light. When the smoke clears, King Alden's body is no more, his ashes scattered across the battlefield.
Narrator: King Alden Navacos III, the ruler of the South Nation, has fallen. His final act was one of defiance, one of hope, and one of sacrifice. But even in death, his legacy will live on in the hearts of his people.
Zarek stands over the spot where King Alden fell, his dark aura still flickering around him. For a moment, the battlefield is silent. Zarek looks down at his hands, bloodied and scarred from the battle, and something within him shifts.
A single tear rolls down his cheek, a tear that he quickly wipes away. Deep down, beneath the demon's power, Zarek is still a boy—a boy who wanted a better home for his people, but who had lost his way.
Zarek: (whispering) You were a fool, King Alden. But maybe… maybe I'm a fool too.
With a heavy heart, Zarek kneels down beside King Alden's fallen corpse, his head bowed in a rare moment of silence. The weight of what he has done presses down on him, the fleeting remains of his humanity surfacing for just a brief moment.
Narrator: Zarek, the half-demon who sought to give his people a new home, has claimed victory over the King of the South Nation. But in his victory, he feels no triumph—only the hollow echo of the boy he once was, lost in the pursuit of a dream twisted by darkness.
The chapter ends with Zarek kneeling at King Alden's corpse, the battlefield still and quiet. The heroes lie defeated, the South Nation mourns its king, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance as Zarek's next move approaches.