Chapter 53: Face of Darkness

Chapter 53: Face of Darkness
Calla’s POV 

My voice dropped to a soft tone as I confirmed his presence. “He was watching us.” 

Raiden didn’t question me. He moved nearer and examined the trees behind the ruins, which had previously revealed glowing red eyes to me. The others were still unaware of the presence, but I had already recognised the shadowy figure. I knew I had seen it because this experience was neither a hallucination nor a mere trick of light. The Shadow King himself had come to this place beyond sending his soldiers—he observed everything. Waiting. 

“Where?” Raiden asked, already bracing himself. 

“East tree line. I pointed out from beyond the ridge as I gripped the blade's hilt, which was strapped to my leg. “He’s close. Too close.” 

The wind changed direction before we could develop a strategy or move our allies. My neck hairs stood up while darkness advanced like a living fog that wrapped around the ruins and consumed the moonlight as it blanketed the ground. Someone screamed behind us. Then another. The warriors fell to their knees while clutching their heads and screamed out in agony as the shadow grew more intense. The Source behind us began to pulse erratically while flickering as though it detected the approaching storm.

Raiden shouted, "Calla!" yet my movement had already begun.

The red eyes emerged again nearby before the Shadow King showed himself to us.

His arrival felt like a forceful blow to my chest. His dark cloak appeared to swallow light while his tall frame stood imposingly before me. His skin mirrored the appearance of shattered obsidian while his fiery red eyes held mine with the gravity of blood-bound vows. His power surged across the earth with a dense force that choked the air from my lungs.

“You came,” he said while his voice sounded like both ash and thunder. “Just as I knew you would.” 

Raiden let out a growl behind me, which I silenced by raising my hand. I stepped forward alone. 

“I’m the one you want,” I said. “Let the others go.” 

The Shadow King cocked his head to examine my every detail as though I were a nearly decipherable enigma. “Brave words for someone so broken. Do you believe you have the strength to stand against me without companionship?

I didn’t flinch. “I don’t think. I know.” 

As soon as my voice cut through the silence the fog disappeared and I understood that this encounter meant far more than a simple fight. This was a calling. A duel of blood and soul. He wanted me. He always had. I was ready to give him what he wanted but not according to his expectations.

Fear and resistance tightened Raiden’s bon,d which showed how much he disliked my actions. But he didn’t stop me. He trusted me. That was all I needed. 

I moved forward again as the ground shook beneath my feet. The Shadow King spread his arms wide and beckoned me towards the clearing so his sinister grin showed across his face.

“No tricks. No army. Just you and me,” I said. 

He bowed mockingly. “As you wish, little queen.” 

The fight started fast. 

He rushed toward me with the force of a hurricane and carried all claws and smoke and blade. I dodged his attack, rolled to evade his next move and allowed my wolf to take control. Power surged through my body. My sword clashed with his atta,,ck and they created sparks together while the metal cried out from the force. Despite my heavy breathing, I kept going without pause. Couldn’t stop. 

His body transformed into liquid shadow as he split into fragments then reassembled in an instant. Every time I struck, he dodged. Each time he charged at me I just managed to evade his sharp talons. My combat strategy avoided brute force to achieve victory. I was fighting to see—to learn. And I was learning fast. 

He laughed as I dodged another strike. “You’re stronger than I remember.” 

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” I snapped. 

I released a cry and pushed back with all my strength. Magic burst from my skin like fire. The Source wasn’t merely responding to my actions but activelydirectingd my movements. I remembered my mother’s words. Understanding the balance was crucial for its protection. I had to be it. 

The King's surrounding shadows withdrew for an instant, which allowed me to strike his chest. The dark blood poured onto the ground and produced hissing sounds. He roared. 

“That was a mistake,” he growled. 

He moved closer to me while his form transformed into absolute darkness which enveloped me with chilling cold. I couldn’t see. I couldn’t hear. My breath caught in my throat. 

Raiden called out to me, but his voice faded away too soon for me to reach him.

The voice of the Shadow King reached me next with unprecedented proximity as it reverberated within my head. “You think you’re different. That you’re chosen. You believe you're different but you're not because you share the same fear about what you might become.

I whispered "No" while my hand formed a tight fist. “I’m not afraid of myself anymore.” 

A dazzling light exploded from my ches,t suddenly illuminating everything. The shadows shattered. 

A golden energy suffused me as I stood tall though I could not grasp its meaning I embraced it as a beloved companion who had returned. The power inside me ignited my wolf while my body shivered with strength. For the first time the Shadow King stepped backwards while his eyes bulged open.

“This... this isn’t possible.” 

“It’s the Source,” I said, voice steady. “And it chose me.” 

With a scream, I lunged forward. This ti,me our collision resulted in me sending him back. The Shadow King's shadow diminished with every blow I struck. I wasn’t fighting for survival anymore. I stood my ground to protect the truth because it was vital for the pack and Raiden and everything the Shadow King sought to annihilate.

But he wasn’t done. A final roar burst from him as he released a wave of pure darkness, which propelled me into the air. My body hit the ground with great force, and I lost my breath. He loomed over me, blade raised. 

“This ends now,” he snarled. 

Imanoeuvredd a roll to evade his attack just in time before delivering an upward kick that struck him squarely in the chest. He staggered. 

“Your assumption is incorrect,” I exclaimed between breaths as I rose to stand. “It begins now.” 

I delved into the deepest part of myself to find the Source. I extracted the energy, moulded it into shape and released a radiant wave of golden fire. It hit him full force. His scream echoed through the air as his body contorted and fire stripped away his disguise to show the true beast underneath.

The world went still. 

Then he vanished. 

No smoke. No sound. Just gone. 

I stayed where I stood, gasping for air as my body vibrated with broken skin and bloodied injuries.

Raiden appeared beside me, gripping my arm. “Is he dead?” 

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “But it’s not over.” 

The ground trembled again. 

Darkness oozed out from the stone crack,s moving upward as a heavy mass.

I heard a voice that did not belong to the Shadow King.

A child’s voice, soft and sweet. 

“You shouldn’t have done that, Calla.” 

I turned slowly. 

A boy who appeared to be ten years old was standing at the edge of the clearing. Pale skin. Red eyes. That smile sent a deeper chill through me than any shadow ever managed.