In the previous chapter, the Shadow Order's leader unleashed a devastating surge of dark energy, plunging the entire castle into an oppressive abyss. Solomon and the allied forces now faced an unprecedented crisis. In this suffocating atmosphere of death and despair, the battle between Solomon and the Shadow Order's leader had reached its most intense and perilous moment, with every passing second brimming with nerve-wracking tension.
Solomon stood firm, gripping the Celestial Starblade in his hands. The blade radiated a dazzling light, a beacon of hope piercing through the surrounding darkness. His gaze was unwavering as he locked eyes with the Shadow Order's leader. "Today," Solomon declared with fiery conviction, "I will obliterate you and your vile presence, and restore the light to our lands!"
The Shadow Order's leader erupted into a sinister, bone-chilling laugh that echoed through the castle. His voice carried a taunting derision, each word laced with contempt. "You? A mere boy drunk on righteousness? Your struggle is meaningless. You are but an insect beneath my feet."
Solomon ignored the jeering. He steadied his breath, channelling the sacred power of his Holy Aura. With a sharp exhale, he unleashed the Skybreaker Slash, sending a massive wave of radiant energy surging towards his opponent. The energy tore through the air with a deafening roar, the very space around it warping under its intensity.
The Shadow Order's leader raised his hands, fingers weaving complex gestures as he chanted a guttural incantation. A colossal shield of black energy materialised before him, its surface pulsating with ominous runes. The two forces collided with a thunderous explosion, releasing a blinding flash that illuminated the dark castle.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?" the leader sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "Now, taste the despair of my Curse of Shadows!" With a sharp motion of his hands, he summoned a storm of inky-black tendrils, each one writhing and slashing towards Solomon like the fangs of a venomous beast.
Solomon darted aside with practised agility, narrowly avoiding the onslaught. The dark tendrils struck the ground with explosive force, gouging deep craters into the stone floor. Dust and debris filled the air, yet Solomon's resolve remained unshaken.
"I can't keep evading like this," Solomon thought, his mind racing as he analysed the battle. He soon noticed a crucial detail: the leader required time to gather energy for his attacks. This was a fleeting weakness, but one that Solomon knew he could exploit.
Summoning his courage, Solomon launched himself forward with a burst of speed, his boots slamming against the cracked stone floor. His Celestial Starblade shimmered with an intense brilliance as he closed the gap between himself and the leader.
"You won't escape this time!" Solomon roared, his voice echoing through the vast chamber. He swung his blade with unrelenting force, delivering a blow infused with all his strength and unwavering determination. The blade's arc sliced through the air, its power creating a high-pitched whistle as it struck.
Caught off guard by Solomon's sudden advance, the leader failed to fully evade the strike. The blade found its mark, leaving a deep, searing wound on his chest. A thin trail of black blood oozed from the gash, the ichor steaming as it hit the ground.
"You insolent wretch!" the leader bellowed, his voice a mix of fury and disbelief. His glowing red eyes burned even brighter, flaring like twin infernos of malevolence.
Raising his arms high, he began chanting an ancient and malevolent spell. The air grew dense and suffocating as waves of darkness spiralled around him, coalescing into a monstrous, otherworldly form. A colossal shadow beast emerged from the swirling energy, its grotesque body radiating an overwhelming aura of dread. The beast's gaping maw opened wide, unleashing a deafening roar that shook the very foundations of the castle as it charged towards Solomon.
"Bring it on!" Solomon yelled, his spirit unyielding. Infusing the Starblade with his Holy Aura, he leapt into the air like a streak of light. The blade erupted in a surge of divine energy, its brilliance defying the oppressive shadows.
With a mighty swing, Solomon brought the Starblade down on the beast. The impact was cataclysmic. The shadow beast let out a final, anguished roar before its massive form shattered into wisps of darkness, dispersing into the air like smoke.
As the battle raged on, Solomon began to discern patterns in the leader's attacks. While immensely powerful, the leader's spells demanded time and precision to cast. Capitalising on this, Solomon adopted a new strategy: using his superior speed and agility to dart around the battlefield, evading the leader's strikes and launching swift, calculated counterattacks.
"Let's end this!" Solomon shouted, weaving through the onslaught of dark magic. His relentless strikes forced the leader onto the defensive, each blow chipping away at his formidable defences.
Yet, just as victory seemed within reach, the Shadow Order's leader ceased his movements. He stood motionless, an eerie smile creeping across his face. His expression was one of triumph, not despair—a chilling realisation that froze Solomon in his tracks.
"You think you've won?" the leader whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "Foolish boy. This is only the beginning."
The castle trembled violently as an unfathomable wave of dark energy erupted from the leader's body, flooding the chamber like a tidal wave. The oppressive aura grew thicker, heavier, suffocating the air itself. The leader's form began to transform, his body swelling with unchecked power. His once-humanoid frame twisted and expanded, becoming a monstrous entity of pure darkness.
Solomon tightened his grip on the Starblade, sweat trickling down his brow as he stared at the grotesque figure before him. Despite the overwhelming pressure, he refused to yield. "No matter what you become, evil will never prevail. This ends here!"
But as the castle walls shook and the air crackled with malevolent energy, one question loomed large in Solomon's mind: could he overcome this newfound terror and fulfil his destiny to vanquish the Shadow Order once and for all?
The battle was far from over, and the outcome remained uncertain. The horn of destiny blared, its haunting cry reverberating through the darkness, heralding the final clash.