"You believe light and friendship are your strength? Ridiculous. Darkness is the true essence of this world – and I am its master. Bow down, or be consumed by the shadows." – Valenor Nightstorm
The dark forest surrounding Valenor's mansion gradually gave way to a sprawling, decaying garden. The scorched, barren branches resembled gnarled hands reaching toward the blackened sky, and the statues lining the garden were overgrown with moss and lichen. Valenor's castle, a dark monolith of pitch-black stone, loomed ominously above the trees, its towers piercing the sky like spears.
Aiden was the first to step through the ruined gate of the courtyard, followed by Ash, Yuichiro, Vincent, and Liang Wei. "So this is it," he whispered, his voice swallowed by the eerie silence of the place. "This is where our journey ends – or where it truly begins."
Ash playfully skipped over a toppled archway, grinning. "What a warm welcome. What do you think, guys? What kind of surprises do you think Valenor has prepared for us?"
Yuichiro, always serious, shot him an annoyed glance. "Focus, Ash. This isn't a game."
"Oh, come on, Yuichiro," Ash teased, sticking out his tongue. "You should learn to have a bit of fun. Who knows how many more chances we'll get?"
Liang Wei chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You two will never agree, will you? But seriously – keep your eyes open. I have a feeling we're being watched."
No sooner had he said those words than the ground began to tremble. A deep, rumbling quake shook the garden, as if something gigantic was awakening. Suddenly, the charred tree trunks snapped like matchsticks, and a massive shape emerged from the darkness.
Before them rose the Celestial Dragon, the mightiest of all Tier-III beasts. Its enormous body was covered in shimmering silver-blue scales that glistened in the moonlight. It was so colossal that its movements thundered through the forest. The dragon let out a deep, menacing growl that made the ground beneath their feet quake.
Episode 13 - Awakening (Part 1)
"That… that's the Celestial Dragon?" Ash stammered, drawing his daggers, which suddenly seemed tiny in the face of this enormous creature.
Yuichiro gripped his sword tighter, stepping in front of the group. "Be careful. We can't fight it – we have to get around it."
Vincent stepped forward, his eyes locked on the dragon. "No," he said calmly, without a trace of fear in his voice. "I'll hold it off. You need to get inside the castle. I'll stay and fight."
Aiden turned to him, confusion and concern in his gaze. "Vincent, that's madness! You can't take on the Celestial Dragon, even with the Leviathan by your side!"
Vincent smiled. "Trust me, Aiden. The Leviathan and I have prepared for this moment. You have to stop Valenor – that's more important. Go, now!"
Liang Wei nodded slowly, the trust in Vincent's resolve clear in his eyes. "Alright. Vincent, we won't leave you behind. Buy us enough time."
Vincent raised his hand, and the waters of the Lake of Truth behind them began to rise into a massive wave. "Leviathan, I summon you!" he called, and the Leviathan appeared, its gigantic body made of shimmering water taking shape as a mighty beast.
Without hesitation, the Celestial Dragon lunged, its enormous claws slashing toward Vincent. But the Leviathan moved protectively in front of its master, blocking the attack with a thundering torrent of water.
"Now!" Vincent shouted. "Go while you can!"
Aiden, Yuichiro, Ash, and Liang Wei dashed forward, dodging the debris flying through the air as the battle raged behind them. Ash glanced back one last time and grinned. "Show them what you've got, Vincent! Make him dance!"
"Move it, Ash!" Yuichiro yelled, pulling him along. "We don't have time for your games!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Ash called back, still laughing.
Liang Wei was the last to look back before following them. He saw Vincent and the Leviathan fighting side by side and nodded, a silent promise in his eyes.
Vincent focused on the Celestial Dragon, which spread its massive wings, creating a gust of wind that uprooted trees and tore the ground apart. The Leviathan responded with a powerful jet of water that cut through the storm and pushed the dragon back.
"You're strong," Vincent murmured softly, "but I'm here to prove that I'm worthy. Leviathan, let's show them what true resolve looks like!"
With a final, mighty clash, the Leviathan and the Celestial Dragon charged at each other, water and wind colliding with such force that the earth beneath them quaked. But Vincent stood firm, his eyes burning with determination.
Aiden and the others finally reached the massive, black doors of Valenor's castle. They paused, their hearts pounding with excitement and tension.
"This is it," Aiden said quietly, placing his hand on the door. "The heart of darkness."
"Ready to end this nightmare?" Yuichiro asked, his voice calm but filled with resolve.
Ash drew his daggers and grinned, the sparkle in his eyes fearless. "Ready? I've been waiting for this moment to face Valenor head-on."
Liang Wei nodded, placing a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "For our friends, for everything we've lost. We will bring Valenor down."
Aiden took a deep breath and closed his eyes before opening them again, filled with the fire of fighting spirit. "Then let's show him what true strength is."
Without another word, they pushed the doors open and stepped into the darkness of the castle, ready to face their fate.
Valenor's castle was a labyrinth of cold, dark corridors. The walls were draped with tattered, decaying tapestries that once told the stories of long-forgotten heroes. But now, those heroes were nothing but distant memories, and the tales they told were faded echoes in a castle consumed by darkness.
Aiden, Liang Wei, Yuichiro, and Ash moved swiftly through the hallways, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. "This place feels like a tomb," Ash murmured, glancing around. "Perfect for someone like Valenor to hide in."
Yuichiro frowned. "Stay sharp, Ash. We don't know what awaits us here."
"You always sound so serious, Yuichiro," Ash teased with a mischievous smile. "Maybe you should relax a bit. We're here to fight, not to turn to stone."
"And you're always too playful," Yuichiro retorted with a scoff. "This isn't a game. One wrong move, and it's all over."
Liang Wei chuckled softly, listening to their verbal sparring. "Focus," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The ballroom is just ahead. We might run into Valenor's minions there."
The group halted before the heavy double doors of the ballroom. The massive, ornately decorated doors were worn and cracked, the wood splintered and rotten. Yet, they still exuded a dark majesty that embodied the grandeur and corruption of Valenor's power.
"Ready?" Aiden asked, placing his hand against the door.
Yuichiro gave a curt nod, while Ash grinned broadly, twirling his daggers. "I've never been more ready," he said, winking at Aiden.
With a powerful shove, they flung the doors open. The ballroom was enormous, a vast chamber shrouded in a sinister, ominous light. Shattered crystal chandeliers lay scattered across the floor, and the once-magnificent wall paintings were marred with deep cracks. An eerie silence filled the air, sending a chill down their spines.
In the center of the room stood a figure Aiden knew all too well – Morvan, their once-trusted ally who had betrayed them. He stood casually, a smug smile playing on his lips as his eyes locked onto the group.
"Morvan," Yuichiro growled, drawing his sword, the flickering torchlight reflecting off the blade. "You betrayed us. Today, you will pay for it."
Ash spun his daggers in his hands and grinned widely. "Finally! I was wondering when we'd see you again. Time to settle a few scores, don't you think?"
Morvan slowly clapped his hands, his smile widening. "Ah, there you are, my former friends. I see you made it this far. Impressive, truly."
"Enough games, Morvan," Aiden shouted, his eyes burning with fury. "You betrayed us and sided with Valenor. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Oh, Aiden," Morvan said calmly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You still don't understand, do you? I didn't betray you. I freed you – from your foolish hope that you could win this war. You will lose, and Valenor will triumph."
Yuichiro and Ash stepped forward, both ready for battle. "Aiden, go with Liang Wei," Yuichiro said decisively. "We'll deal with this traitor."
"This is my moment!" Ash protested, pushing Yuichiro aside. "I want to take him down. You're way too stiff for this."
Yuichiro grabbed Ash by the collar and pulled him back. "You'll just toy with him. Leave this to someone who can focus."
"Focus is overrated," Ash snapped, shaking off Yuichiro's grip. "Fun is the true key to victory!"
"You two are impossible," Aiden sighed, but a small smile crossed his face. "Alright. Ash, Yuichiro – I'm leaving him to you. Show him he underestimated us."
Liang Wei placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "We don't have time to waste. Valenor is waiting."
Aiden nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I know. Let's go."
Without another word, Aiden and Liang Wei left the ballroom, their footsteps echoing like a fateful drumbeat as Ash and Yuichiro positioned themselves in front of Morvan.
"Two against one, huh?" Morvan smirked arrogantly, drawing his own weapon. "I hope you're ready to prove yourselves."
Yuichiro took a fighting stance, while Ash spun his daggers with lightning speed. "Ready? I've been ready since the moment you betrayed us," Yuichiro said, his voice firm and filled with hatred.
"And me?" Ash added with a quiet laugh. "I was ready the second I stepped into this room."
Morvan raised his weapon and lunged at them. "Then let's see what you're truly capable of!"
Meanwhile, the raging battle between the Leviathan and the Celestial Dragon turned the once-peaceful courtyard of Valenor's castle into a war zone. The small pond in the garden seemed to be the epicenter of the conflict. Water splashed violently in all directions, and lightning flashed across the sky as the two Tier-III beasts clashed for dominance.
The Celestial Dragon soared into the sky, its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the entire garden. A brilliant light gleamed in its eyes, and its scaly body sparkled like pure gold. With a mighty roar, it dove at the Leviathan, whose massive body moved gracefully through the pond's waters, like a shimmering, living wave.
Vincent stood at the edge of the pond, water splashing against his face as he watched the two beasts clash. The Leviathan leapt from the water, coiling its powerful serpent-like body around the Celestial Dragon and dragging it deeper into the depths. But the dragon would not be subdued so easily. A blinding beam of light shot from its maw, slicing through the air and forcing the Leviathan back into the water.
Vincent gritted his teeth, closing his eyes for a brief moment. In that instant, a deep, calm voice resonated in his mind – the voice of the Leviathan.
"Why do you fight, human? What makes you believe you can win this battle?"
Vincent took a deep breath and answered in his thoughts. "I'm not fighting for myself. I fight for the people I want to protect. For my friends who are counting on me. And because I know that we can only defeat Valenor together."
The Leviathan was silent for a moment, then its eyes gleamed with a hint of approval. "Brave. But will your bravery be enough?"
Before Vincent could respond, the Celestial Dragon rose again, its wings slicing through the air and creating a massive shockwave that sent the Leviathan reeling. The spirit of the water dragon cried out as it was struck by the force, but it immediately rose from the water again, ready for the next attack.
Vincent squinted his eyes as he observed the battle. "Damn, this dragon is stronger than I thought," he muttered, as the water around him bubbled and churned. Suddenly, he noticed the creatures he had once tamed gathering at the edge of the fight. The Direwolves, the Merodacti, the Thunderbear – they had all returned, even though he had set them free.
"You… you're back?" Vincent's voice quivered with surprise as the Direwolves positioned themselves protectively in front of him.
The Celestial Dragon roared, its eyes flashing with fury as it charged straight at Vincent. In that moment, time seemed to freeze. The Direwolves leapt forward, their teeth gleaming in the morning sun as they lunged at the dragon. The Merodacti dove from the sky, while the Thunderbear stood before Vincent, unleashing a powerful electric charge that forced the Celestial Dragon back.
"You're really willing to keep fighting, even though you're no longer bound?" Vincent smiled, his eyes filled with pride and gratitude. "You were always more than just tamed beasts to me. You were my friends."
But the Celestial Dragon was not intimidated. With a mighty sweep of its wings, it flung the Direwolves aside, a blinding light flashing as it unleashed a thunderous blast of energy directly at Vincent. He dodged at the last second, but the shockwave was so intense that it hurled him to the ground. The Thunderbear stepped protectively in front of him, while the Merodacti attacked once more.
Vincent lay on the ground, gasping for breath, blood pounding in his ears. In that moment, when all seemed lost, he felt the presence of the Leviathan stronger than ever.
"Human," the Leviathan's voice echoed in his thoughts. "You have the heart of a warrior. I can feel it. But it will take more than courage and friendship to defeat this dragon."
Vincent gave a weak smile and slowly rose to his feet. "I know. But I have a plan."
The Leviathan fell silent, as if it understood that Vincent had something in mind, but it did not ask further. Instead, the spirit of the water dragon shot up from the pond once more, ready to throw everything it had into the fight. The Celestial Dragon swooped down in a rapid loop, its claws gleaming in the light as it prepared for one final attack.
Vincent clenched his fists, the tension in the air palpable. The Leviathan and the Celestial Dragon charged at each other, the water and air crackling with energy. But before the final impact, the scene abruptly paused.
The sun vanished behind a cloud, and an eerie silence settled over the garden. Vincent looked up, his eyes wide, as he noticed the ominous glint in the Celestial Dragon's eyes. He felt his beasts gather around him, their gazes fixed intently on the sky.
"Vincent," the Leviathan whispered in his mind. "Whatever you're planning, it must happen now."
Vincent gave a silent nod, his eyes sparkling with determination. "Trust me," he murmured softly.
But before he could say more, the storm of the battle resumed, and the Leviathan surged from the water once again, ready to give it everything it had. The fight was not yet decided, and whatever Vincent's plan was, it remained unrevealed.
Aiden and Liang Wei burst through the grand, ornate doors of the ballroom without a backward glance. The sounds of Ash and Yuichiro's fight against Morvan echoed behind them. The clash of blades, Ash's playful laughter, and Yuichiro's sharp commands filled the air, but Aiden and Liang Wei knew they had to focus on their own mission. They had to reach Valenor – and fast.
They sprinted through the corridor, the gold-encrusted walls blurring past them like a shimmering haze until they finally arrived at a massive set of double doors, adorned with an enormous dragon relief. The throne room of Valenor. A cold breeze drifted through the crack of the door, and a sinister whisper seemed to emanate from the darkness beyond.
Liang Wei did not hesitate. He stepped forward and pushed the doors open with both hands. They groaned under the strain, creaking loudly as they revealed the throne room – a vast, gloomy chamber shrouded in an oppressive darkness. In the center of the hall, seated on a golden throne, was Valenor, his black cloak like a veil of shadows blending into the dark.
"Welcome, my guests," Valenor greeted, his voice cold and dripping with arrogance. He leaned back, his fingers casually tracing the golden armrests of his throne. "I must say, I'm impressed. You actually made it this far."
Aiden and Liang Wei stood side by side at the entrance of the room, their eyes filled with unyielding resolve.
"Your throne of gold won't save you," Aiden said, his voice sharp as a blade. "This room will be your grave, Valenor."
Valenor chuckled quietly, the echo of his laughter filling the throne room ominously. "So, you wish to end this? Very well. Then let us finish this game."
He slowly rose from his throne, spreading his arms wide as dark magic flooded the chamber. The air began to vibrate, and a deep, sinister hum filled the hall. Valenor stepped forward, his eyes glowing a deep, menacing red.
"Aiden, Liang Wei," he murmured almost thoughtfully. "You are strong. Perhaps even stronger than I expected. But that won't save you."
Liang Wei unsheathed his blade, its edge gleaming faintly in the darkness, and pointed it at Valenor. "We're here to put an end to this, Valenor. Your time is up."
Aiden activated [Body Enhancement], feeling the surge of power coursing through his body. His muscles tensed, and he took a step forward. "Let's finish this."
Without another word, they both lunged forward at the same time. Aiden swung with a wild, powerful strike while Liang Wei followed with a precise, swift slash. But Valenor sidestepped gracefully, dodging both attacks as if they were mere breezes.
"Too slow," Valenor taunted, and with a wave of his hand, he unleashed a blast of dark energy that sent both Aiden and Liang Wei tumbling back. They rolled to their feet, quickly regaining their stance, ready for the next round.
"I'm not done yet!" Aiden shouted, activating [Lifetime Legend – Restrictionless]. Spears of bone erupted from the ground, shooting towards Valenor in a blindingly fast attack. But Valenor only laughed, sweeping his hand through the air and shattering the bone spears into fragments, scattering them like dust across the room.
"Your tricks don't impress me," Valenor said coldly.
Liang Wei was undeterred. He lunged forward, his blade delivering a series of swift, precise strikes, forcing Valenor to step back. "You may be strong, but you fight alone. We are here together – and that is our greatest strength."
Valenor sneered in contempt. "Together?" He raised both hands, and suddenly the room filled with dark spirits swirling around the two warriors like a cyclone. "Then let's see how long your unity lasts."
Aiden was unfazed. With a mighty movement, he pulled bones from his own arm, forming them into a large, jagged axe. "I have more than enough power to destroy you!" He charged at Valenor, the axe glowing in his grip as he swung it with all his might.
Valenor raised a hand, and the axe struck an invisible shield. Sparks flew, and the force of the impact sent tremors through the walls of the throne room.
"Strength alone isn't enough," Valenor said quietly, and before Aiden could react, a wave of dark energy shot from Valenor's hand, hurling him across the room. Aiden crashed against the wall, gasping for air.
Liang Wei glanced at him, worry evident in his eyes. "Aiden!"
But Aiden pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from his nose, his gaze determined. "I'm not giving up," he muttered, wiping the blood away. "This isn't over yet."
Liang Wei stepped up beside him, gripping his sword tightly. "Then let's attack together."
Aiden nodded, and without another word, they both charged at Valenor. The dark sorcerer stood calmly in the center of the room, his eyes glowing with dark anticipation.
"Come on then," he whispered, and the darkness around him began to solidify.
Valenor raised both arms, and swirling shadows formed around him. "You dare challenge me?" His voice echoed menacingly through the throne room. "Then feel the true power of darkness!" Black lightning crackled from his hands, and a wave of pure dark energy surged towards Aiden and Liang Wei. They narrowly dodged the attacks, but the shockwave splintered the ground beneath them.
"Liang Wei, watch out!" Aiden yelled as another wave of energy came crashing towards them. They leapt aside, but Valenor was faster. He materialized behind them in an instant, slamming Aiden against the wall and sending Liang Wei sprawling to the ground.
"The game is over," Valenor hissed, gathering a massive orb of dark energy in his hands. "I will destroy you both."
But before he could deliver the final blow, a tremendous roar shook the entire throne room. A massive torrent of water burst through the doors, and in a swirl of water, Vincent appeared – his expression fierce, with the Leviathan by his side, still battling the Celestial Dragon outside.
"You're not alone!" Vincent shouted, launching a wave of water and lightning at Valenor, pushing him back. "I won't abandon you."
Liang Wei picked himself up, grinning. "I knew you'd make it in time, Vincent."
Aiden rose to his feet, blood trickling down his forehead, but he smiled. "So we're fighting as a team after all."
Vincent nodded. "Let's finish this together."
Outside, the Celestial Dragon and the Leviathan clashed in a fierce battle, while inside, the three men charged at Valenor as one.
The assault on Valenor's castle has begun! How will these three battles end? The answers await in Episode 14 – Awakening (Part 2). Stay tuned!
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Stay tuned for the next chapter, and don't forget to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments. See you next time!