The battlefield held its breath as Xel'Varyn and the King charged toward each other, two titanic forces on a collision course.
Their weapons clashed with a thunderous explosion, sending shockwaves across the war-torn field. Soldiers on both sides stumbled as the very ground trembled beneath their duel.
The King's golden greatsword radiated divine energy, each swing carrying the weight of centuries of royal might. His strikes were precise and unrelenting, forcing Xel'Varyn to parry and dodge with all three of her arms.
But Xel'Varyn was no mere warlord.
With her greatsword in her dominant hand, a Qi-imbued dagger in another, and a barrier spell forming in her third, she wove between the King's strikes with unnatural speed.
Their fight became a dance of destruction.
[System Update: Duel of Sovereigns]
"A true ruler does not beg for mercy—only demands victory."
Xel'Varyn vs. King Aldric IIIKing's Strength: 500Xel'Varyn's Strength: 420 (+25 from battle fury)King's Qi Reserves: 7,200Xel'Varyn's Qi Reserves: 8,300King's Divine Blessing: Reduces dark-based damage by 30%Xel'Varyn's Demonic Adaptation: Each minute in battle increases combat abilityThe First Blood
The King feinted left, then spun right, his sword aiming to cleave through Xel'Varyn's side.
She twisted her body, catching the strike with her dagger arm, redirecting it downward. Her greatsword sliced through the air in retaliation, carving across the King's armored shoulder.
A gash of golden blood splattered onto the earth.
The King grunted, his eyes narrowing.
"You're strong," he admitted. "Stronger than I expected."
Xel'Varyn grinned. "And you're bleeding already."
His response? A surge of divine energy.
"HOLY ASCENSION."
A pillar of golden light erupted around him, forcing Xel'Varyn to leap back. The ground cracked, and the very air burned with righteous fury.
When the light faded, the King stood taller, his armor glowing with celestial power.
His speed doubled. His strikes became relentless.
And for the first time, Xel'Varyn felt herself being pushed back.
A Monarch's Evolution
Every clash of their weapons sent waves of energy rippling outward.
Xel'Varyn knew she had to end this quickly.
Her demonic Qi surged, veins pulsing with raw power as her evolution triggered.
[System Update: Evolution Activated]
Blood of the Slain Absorbed.Demonic Essence Awakens.New Trait Acquired: Shadowborn Tyrant. (Demonic energy enhances all physical abilities when facing divine enemies.)Qi Reserve Boost: +1,200
Her golden eyes darkened, her aura expanding into a monstrous presence.
"No more games," she growled.
Her third arm flicked upward, launching a concentrated Qi blast at the King's feet. He barely dodged—but that was the opening she needed.
With blinding speed, she slashed across his chest, shattering his divine armor.
Then—a dagger to his ribs.
Then—a spinning kick that sent him crashing into the dirt.
The King coughed blood.
His army gasped.
Their mighty ruler had been brought to his knees.
The End of a Reign
Xel'Varyn placed her foot on the King's chest, pressing him into the blood-soaked earth.
"Surrender," she commanded. "Or die."
The King looked up at her, defiance in his eyes.
"I would rather fall than kneel to a demon."
Xel'Varyn smiled coldly. "So be it."
With a single swift motion, her greatsword pierced his heart.
The King of the Empire was dead.
And Shadowveil had won.
[System Update: Monarch Slain]
"A throne abandoned in blood is a throne waiting to be seized."
King Aldric III Defeated.Empire's Morale: Broken.Shadowveil's Influence: Supreme.
New Title Acquired: God-Slayer Aspirant (Defeating a divine-blessed ruler has put you on the path to something greater.)
New Trait Acquired: Thronebreaker (Enemies who lose their leader to you suffer permanent morale penalties in future wars.)
The Aftermath
The battlefield was eerily silent.
The King's forces, seeing their ruler fall, began dropping their weapons.
Some fled.
Some begged for mercy.
Xel'Varyn raised her greatsword, its blade dripping with the King's blood.
"Your king is dead. Shadowveil is your new ruler."
The soldiers, exhausted and broken, knelt before her.
At last, the war was over.
But a new chapter was about to begin.