The Wizard King wasted no time, his flaming sword glowing an intense green as he raised it high above his head. With a guttural roar, he swung the blade downward, unleashing a massive wave of spectral green fire that roared toward Inarius like a tidal wave of destruction.
Inarius responded in kind. With both hands gripping the hilt of his flaming purple sword, he summoned his power and slashed through the air, sending a torrent of his sin-fueled purple flames to meet the oncoming attack.
The two infernos collided in a violent explosion of energy. The room filled with a deafening roar as the flames twisted and churned, green and purple vying for dominance. The walls trembled under the sheer force of their clash, cracks spreading like spiderwebs through the ancient stone.
Neither warrior relented, their wills locked as their energies pushed against each other. Sweat dripped from Inarius's brow, his teeth clenched as he poured everything he had into his flames. Across the room, the Wizard King stood firm, his skeletal helmet reflecting the flickering chaos of their battle.
But slowly, the tide began to shift.
Inarius's flames surged forward, inch by inch overpowering the green fire. The Wizard King's confidence faltered, and his feet slid backward as he struggled to maintain his ground. With one final push, Inarius let out a primal roar, his flames exploding with unmatched intensity.
The Wizard King was sent flying, his body slamming into his throne with a thunderous crash. The impact shattered the spectral energy throne, sending shards of glowing green light scattering across the chamber.
Inarius advanced, his steps slow and deliberate, his sword still ablaze. His gaze locked onto the fallen Wizard King, who groaned as he tried to rise.
"You're done," Inarius growled, his voice low and filled with wrath.
He reached the Wizard King and extended his free hand, the air around him darkening as he activated his sin abilities. Tendrils of shadow and flame reached out, latching onto the Wizard King's body. The fallen king thrashed and screamed as Inarius began to pull at his power and his very essence.
But then, without warning, five massive chains erupted from the floor.
The chains were glowing green, each link adorned with intricate runes that pulsed with malevolent energy. They moved like living things, wrapping tightly around Inarius's arms, legs, and neck. The force yanked him backward, pinning him in place.
"What—" Inarius choked out, struggling against the bindings.
The Wizard King rose to his feet, his skeletal grin returning. "You think you can take what is mine so easily? Fool. My chains do not just bind the body—they shatter the mind."
As the Wizard King raised his hand, the runes on the chains flared, and Inarius's consciousness was ripped from his body.
Inside Inarius's Mind
Inarius found himself in a swirling void, his mind bombarded by horrific visions. The worst sins of those he had absorbed played out before him like a macabre theater.
He saw the General, Eredin, laughing as he slaughtered entire villages, his blade cutting down men, women, and children alike. He witnessed Eredin's betrayal of his own brother, his cold smile as he drove a dagger into his sibling's heart. He felt the terror of Eredin's victims as their lives were snuffed out.
Then came the wraiths—each of their atrocities piling onto the mountain of horror. The screams of the innocent echoed in his ears, their pleas for mercy unanswered. The weight of it all pressed down on him, threatening to crush his spirit.
For a moment, he faltered. But only for a moment.
"No," he growled, his voice echoing in the void. "This is nothing. I've seen worse. I've endured worse."
The chains around his mind tightened, but Inarius's will was unyielding. His anger, his hatred, his drive to survive burned brighter than any torment.
With a deafening roar, he shattered the chains binding his mind, the void collapsing around him as he forced himself back to reality.
Inarius remained still, his head hanging as though the chains still held him. The Wizard King approached, his voice dripping with mockery.
"You see now the futility of your struggle," the Wizard King sneered, standing before his captive. "Kneel before your king, and I may grant you a swift end."
But as he reached out to touch Inarius, the supposed prisoner's head snapped up.
"Nice speech," Inarius said, his lips curling into a devilish grin. "Too bad you won't get to finish it."
The chains shattered like glass as Inarius surged forward, his hand shooting out to grab the Wizard King by the throat. With a single, brutal motion, he forced the king to his knees.
"No more games," Inarius snarled, his grip tightening. His sin abilities activated, and the Wizard King's screams filled the room as his power and essence were ripped from him.
Inarius's body surged with energy, his strength growing to near-godlike levels. The Wizard King's memories flooded his mind—centuries of sorcery and magical knowledge. He glimpsed spells, incantations, and rituals of immense power. But he pushed it aside with disdain.
"Magic's not my thing," he muttered, his voice dripping with scorn.
With a final burst of power, Inarius shattered the Wizard King's soul. The once-mighty ruler of this cursed world was no more.
Inarius turned to the shattered remnants of the Wizard King's throne. With a casual wave of his hand, he reformed it, the spectral energy reshaping into a new design—a dark and twisted seat that radiated his sin-fueled power.
He sat down, his flaming sword resting across his lap, and leaned back with a smirk.
"Alright, Dark One," he said, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Let's see what you've got next."