The climb up the tower was grueling, the spiral staircase seemingly endless. Each step resonated with an oppressive energy that weighed on Inarius, though it did little to deter his resolve. His purple flaming sword burned brighter than ever, illuminating the ancient walls etched with runes that pulsed faintly with green light.
At last, he reached the apex of the tower. The massive double doors swung open as if welcoming him, and he stepped into a grand throne room bathed in an eerie green glow.
Sitting atop a throne crafted from pure spectral energy was the Wizard King.
The dark figure exuded a malevolent presence that seemed to permeate the very air. Shadows clung to him like loyal servants, and the room dimmed as if afraid of his power. His black cloak cascaded over the sides of the throne like a river of night, while his jagged, spike-adorned helmet reflected the pale green light of the room. In his gauntleted hands rested a gleaming sword, its surface seemingly alive with flickers of ghostly energy. The helmet's skeletal design gave him an otherworldly, terrifying visage, the hollow eyes glowing faintly with an unnatural green hue.
"You dare to stand before me," the Wizard King said, his voice deep and resonant, layered with an ethereal echo. "You who have slain my children. You who defile my world with your stolen power."
Inarius stood firm, his blade casting a defiant purple glow. "They were monsters, just like you. And you'll join them soon enough."
The Wizard King rose from his throne, his imposing form towering over the chamber. He extended his right hand, and the air behind him shimmered. Thousands of small, spectral portals tore through reality, each one birthing a weapon—blades, axes, spears, and hammers, all glowing with the same ghostly green energy.
"Your defiance is meaningless," the Wizard King declared. With a flick of his hand, the spectral arsenal surged forward, a blinding storm of weapons descending upon Inarius.
Inarius gripped his sword tightly, the flames roaring to life. With a powerful swing, he unleashed a torrent of purple fire, the sin-fueled inferno colliding with the incoming weapons. The spectral blades disintegrated on contact, their essence consumed by the flames.
The Wizard King tilted his head slightly, almost amused. "Impressive. But futile."
He raised his hand again, this time summoning a single weapon. The air above the throne room cracked and split as an impossibly large spear began to materialize. The weapon was so massive it shattered the tower's roof as it emerged, casting an enormous shadow over the battlefield.
The Wizard King smirked beneath his helmet. "Face your annihilation."
The colossal spear descended with earth-shattering force, the sheer weight of it causing the entire tower to tremble. Inarius braced himself, every muscle in his body straining as he held his sword high to block the incoming weapon. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, cracks spidering through the floor and walls.
The spear pushed him to his knees. Its energy burned, threatening to consume him entirely. For a moment, it felt as though the weight of the world had fallen upon him.
But Inarius was no stranger to impossible odds.
He gritted his teeth, his eyes glowing with an intense purple light. "If I can't stop it… I'll make it mine."
He closed his eyes and summoned the sin energy within him. His body became an open vessel, tendrils of power reaching out to the spear. The weapon resisted, its spectral energy writhing like a living thing, but Inarius's will was stronger.
The colossal spear began to dissolve, its essence flowing into him. His body burned with newfound power, his muscles surging with strength. The pain was excruciating, but it only fueled his determination.
When the spear was fully absorbed, Inarius stood, his aura blazing brighter than ever. He locked eyes with the Wizard King, who now appeared visibly unsettled.
"You should've aimed better," Inarius growled, his voice laced with dark triumph.
Before the Wizard King could react, Inarius charged, his sword a streak of purple flame. Their blades met with a deafening crash, the impact so powerful it sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls and floor as their energies clashed.
The Wizard King retaliated with a series of precise strikes, his blade moving faster than the eye could follow. But Inarius was relentless, countering every blow with ferocity. Their duel became a blur of motion, the room filled with the sound of metal on metal and the roar of unleashed power.
With a sudden burst of strength, Inarius broke through the Wizard King's defense, his blade slicing across the dark figure's side.
The Wizard King let out a low growl, his ethereal blood dripping onto the ground. The injury enraged him. He raised his sword high, his voice booming like thunder as he uttered a single, dreadful word:
"Arkhor."
The room ignited in green flame as the Wizard King's sword burst into spectral fire. The heat was oppressive, and the power radiating from the blade was suffocating.
Inarius felt the weight of it, the raw energy pressing down on him. But as he gripped his sword tighter, a wicked smile crossed his face.
"I've seen worse," he said, his tone dripping with defiance.
The battle was far from over, and Inarius was ready to face whatever came next.