Chereads / No Path but the Void / Chapter 21 - The Monarch’s Throne

Chapter 21 - The Monarch’s Throne

The silence of the fortress was oppressive as Zami treaded through the dim corridors. Each step echoed faintly, mingling with the distant creak of shifting stone. He had spent days preparing, training relentlessly, testing the limits of his body, and formulating strategies against the Bone Monarch. His katana rested in his grip, its black blade glinting faintly under the low, eerie light of the fortress.

At his side, a small container carried the last of the healing liquid he had crafted. Its faint luminescence provided a fragile sense of reassurance, though he knew it wouldn't save him if he faltered again.

The chamber loomed ahead, its towering doors marked with bone-like patterns etched into the surface. Zami paused, his fingers brushing the hilt of his dagger. He had seen the shards here before, their faint energy pulsing, feeding the Bone Monarch's grotesque form. His mind replayed the battle—how its skeletal hands had torn him apart, how its attacks were swift yet calculated.

With a slow breath, Zami pushed the doors open.

Inside, the throne room stretched vast and imposing. The Bone Monarch stood at its center, surrounded by piles of skeletal remains, its form towering and monstrous. Its bony limbs radiated a faint glow, and its hollow sockets flared with an ominous light as it turned its gaze to Zami.

"So, you've returned," Zami muttered, his voice cold.

The Monarch didn't speak but let out a deep, resonating growl that seemed to shake the chamber itself.

Zami moved first, closing the distance with a burst of speed. His katana sliced through the air with *Pierce*, the sonic boom rattling the walls. The Monarch deflected the attack with a shield of bone that emerged from the ground, the impact sending shockwaves rippling outward.

The fight had begun.

The Monarch retaliated, summoning a wave of skeletal hands from the floor. Zami weaved between them with precision, executing *Wild Cat Flow* to disrupt their formation. He struck at the Monarch's side with *Blade Bind*, parrying its claw-like limb before countering with a sharp slash to its ribs.

Bones shattered, but the creature was far from defeated. The Monarch extended its reach, manipulating the broken remains to form a spear of jagged bones. Zami dodged, spinning midair with *Arrow Flow*, delivering a kick that sent the weapon careening off course.

The Monarch's fury intensified. It unleashed a flurry of bone projectiles, forcing Zami to retreat momentarily. As he dodged and deflected, he reached for his dagger. Using *Hidden Strike*, he feigned an upward slash before plunging the blade into a gap in the Monarch's chest.

The monster howled, its body convulsing. Zami took the opportunity to leap upward, executing *Hawk Drop*. His kick landed with devastating force, cracking the Monarch's shoulder and momentarily staggering it.

But the Monarch wasn't finished. It used its immense power to summon a wave of skeletal constructs, their forms resembling humanoid warriors. Zami faced the onslaught head-on, moving with deadly efficiency. *Multiple Slash* left trails of shattered bones in his wake, while *Critical Dues* and *Mantis Shrimp Punch* delivered devastating blows to the constructs that dared approach.

As the battle raged on, Zami began to feel the toll on his body. His movements slowed slightly, his breathing heavier. He reached into his pouch, downing the remaining healing liquid. The mixture coursed through him, dulling the ache and allowing him to push forward.

"You've been quiet," Zami muttered internally, addressing the creature within. "Do you know anything useful?"

The voice replied, low and amused.

"That thing is older than you can imagine. Its power is tied to the shards. Break them, and you break its strength."

Zami's eyes darted toward the glowing fragments embedded in the throne. He realized now why the humanoid creatures had guarded similar shards—they were fragments of immense power, relics of something ancient.

He charged toward the throne, the Monarch intercepting him with a massive wall of bone. Zami used *Stone Slash*, leaping off the surrounding walls to gain momentum. His katana struck with precision, cleaving through the barrier.

Reaching the throne, Zami activated *The Night Sun*. His fists blurred as he unleashed a barrage of rapid punches, striking the shard repeatedly. The sheer force caused cracks to spiderweb across its surface. The Monarch roared, its form trembling violently.

Desperation overtook the creature. It lashed out with an attack that Zami couldn't fully evade. A jagged bone pierced his side, the pain sharp and blinding. Blood spilled as he staggered, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to fall.

Gathering his remaining strength, Zami channeled *Blood Explosion*. His katana ignited in flames, the heat searing his arm as he swung with everything he had. The shard shattered, its energy erupting in a blinding light.

The Bone Monarch screamed, its form collapsing into a heap of lifeless bones.

Zami fell to his knees, his body trembling from exhaustion. The flames on his katana died out, leaving behind the acrid scent of burnt flesh. He stared at the remains of the Monarch, the shattered shards glinting faintly.

The creature within him spoke.

"You've done it...but at what cost?"

Zami didn't reply. His vision blurred as he clutched his wounded side, his breath shallow. He had survived—this time. But the battle had left its mark, a stark reminder of the price of pushing beyond human limits.

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Chapter 100, Questions in the Void