Aiden and the others were almost at the end of the Void Prison. Only one last door stood between them and freedom.
He could sense it—an overwhelming presence waiting beyond that metal gate."You all stay here and wait for my orders," he said calmly. "They're waiting for us. I'll clear the path."
"Let me come with you," Lyris stepped forward, her voice edged with concern."No," Aiden replied. "It would only slow me down. I'll finish them off."
He placed his hand on the cold door. The metal hummed faintly beneath his palm before he pushed it open. The others watched as Aiden stepped through and the heavy door slammed shut behind him with a deep, final thud.
The air outside was dry and sharp. A vast plain stretched out before him—empty, silent, and lifeless, as if the world itself had stopped breathing. Across that wasteland stood an army: two thousand soldiers, a hundred commanders, four prison guards, and a towering general at the center.
The general laughed when he saw Aiden walking toward them alone.
Aiden didn't stop. His steps were slow, steady. Then he lifted his hand slightly—and the ground beneath him began to darken. His shadow twisted and spread outward like liquid night.
"Forbidden Force: Skeleton Force—come forth. Join me," Aiden said quietly. "Let's have some fun."
The air split with a low rumble. Black aura burst around him. Cracks tore open in the ground, and skeletal hands clawed their way out. Bone after bone assembled into towering forms of the dead. Their hollow eyes glowed faintly as they turned to face Aiden—their new master.
Aiden summoned his shadow clones next. Some merged with the skeletons, their dark forms fusing into towering giants.
Now two armies faced each other across the plain.
Aiden commanded 3,000 shadow clones, 10 giant shadows, 1,000 skeleton soldiers, and 5 giant skeletons.
The general's grin vanished. He shouted, and his forces charged like a dark tide.
Aiden raised his hand—and a throne of shadows rose behind him, jagged and black."Form Change: Shadow King," he said, his voice echoing like thunder. "Let me borrow your power."
He sat down casually, resting his face on his palm, a faint smile crossing his lips as the battle began.
The shadows moved first—silent, swift, encircling the enemy lines. Skeleton soldiers followed, their bones clattering like drums of war. Giant skeletons met the prison guards head-on, their blades sparking with every clash. Aiden's will guided them all like a conductor leading chaos.
"You fools," Aiden said softly. "This isn't even my full power. Vale removed my limit. Only Void and Ravan can trouble me, and even they can't defeat me. The poison you used—long gone."
The general snarled and reached toward the sky. A distant asteroid shifted course, hurtling straight for Aiden.
Aiden didn't move.When the rock was close enough to blot out the sun, one giant skeleton raised its sword and split the asteroid apart. The explosion scattered light and dust like shattered glass.
"That general," Aiden murmured, "why do you rush to die?"He raised his hand again. "Forbidden Style: Soul Bind Control."
The fallen enemy soldiers twitched. Then, one by one, they rose—lifeless eyes glowing as Aiden seized their souls.
Another asteroid tore through the sky, larger than before."Perfect timing," Aiden said.He took control of it, the rock groaning as if alive under his will, and hurled it back toward the general. The impact came with a deafening boom, the shockwave rolling through the plains. Smoke covered the battlefield.
The general was still alive, barely. His men fought desperately. The prison guards pressed against the giant skeletons with brutal strength.
Aiden's patience thinned. He gave his shadows free will and rose from the throne, his cloak flickering with shadowfire. He flew forward, sword forming in his hand.
"Warrior's Sword of Hell—come forth," he said.The blade appeared, black flame licking along its edge.He struck once, clean and fast, and the prison guard's head fell.
Landing on the giant skeleton's shoulder, he shouted, "Let's destroy them!"
He tried to seize control of the remaining prison guards but failed—they were not living beings. No matter. His army cut through what was left, crushing resistance until only the general and a few soldiers remained.
The general fell to his knees. "Enough," he said. "I accept defeat."
Aiden approached slowly. "Where is Void?"
"Veridion," the general said weakly. "He went there—to plan his next attack. Please… let me and these men live. I know what I've done, but… they don't deserve to die."
Aiden's expression softened. "You have accepted defeat. I have no reason to kill you. I can see your emotions… and your future. I will erase your memories and give you new lives. To the souls I've controlled, I will grant rebirth as humans. It's the least I can do—since I broke a rule to bind them."
The general looked up, eyes wide with disbelief. Then, slowly, he and his soldiers knelt again."Thank you," they said together.
Aiden closed his eyes. A wave of dark light swept out, erasing memories and freeing souls.
Peace, at last.
He looked up at the darkened sky. Now… how do I reach Veridion fast? he thought.
Vale's voice echoed through UV. "Don't worry, Aiden. I'll get you to Veridion within an hour. The path is rough, but I've found a way."
"Vale," Aiden replied. "Fine. I'll wait."
"Hmm. Don't worry," Vale answered with a grin in his tone.
Aiden turned back toward the battlefield. "Rest," he ordered. His army sank into silence as he walked toward the gate to open the next path.