Back to the Present
Ron met Alberto's gaze. "Is there anything else you want to say?"
The King stared back, pale, trembling—as if he'd seen a ghost.
"According to you," Ron said, stepping closer, "I'm a vessel for the Black Sorcerer?" His lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile.
"You're wrong. He's a vessel for me."
Ron turned and walked out, his shadow flickering like firelight.
King Alberto stumbled into his room, breathing hard. He lit the candles at his altar.
"My liege," he whispered desperately, "Ron knows about you. What should I do? If he report to the king, I won't be able to leave this place alive."
The flames flared and twisted upward, forming burning words in the air:
"Your daughter has betrayed you. King Charles already know."
Alberto's eyes widened in horror. The words formation changed into:
"Destroy this kingdom."
He bowed his head. "As you wish."
He sliced his finger with a dagger and whispered an incantation. The blood glowed violet.
Henry and Iris stepped out from King Charles's chamber, relief just beginning to show on their faces—when the ground shook violently.
Then came the roar.
Ron, in his hotel room, felt the surge of evil energy. He teleported outside—and froze.
A massive purple wall rose over the city. From its depths, serpents, scorpions, dragons, rhinos, and grotesque monsters poured out, tearing through the streets.
In seconds, the capital became a living nightmare—fire, smoke, and screams echoing through the air.
Ron drew the Blade of Vengeance.
[Fire Element Activated]
Flames surged along the blade's edge. Ron extended his hand, merging fire with his Black Sorcery.
Flaming knights materialized behind him, armor blazing like molten metal.
"Move," he commanded.
The two armies clashed—fire against corruption, will against the void.
ROYAL CASTLE
Henry ran through collapsing corridors, gripping Iris's wrist.
"Stay with me!"
Suddenly, Marcus stepped into their path. His eyes glowed bright violet. Horns of pure energy burst from his head as his body twisted and cracked.
With a guttural roar, he unleashed a scream so powerful it shattered the walls—blasting Henry and Iris out through the windows as the royal palace crumbled behind them.
The ground trembled.
Marcus roared — a deep, beastly sound that made the air shiver.
Behind him, the monsters Alberto had summoned answered his call with their own roars, as if they understood his rage.
Then the earth split open.
From the cracks marched an army of towering Flaming Knights, their armor blazing like molten steel. They raised their swords and charged.
Marcus moved first.
Henry's eyes narrowed — wind surged beneath his feet. In a blur, he slipped behind Marcus and drove a kick straight into his ribs, sending him crashing through a half-collapsed house. The structure exploded into dust and rubble.
From the debris, Marcus rose — furious, blood dripping down his chin.
He vanished—
—and appeared behind Henry.
His fist connected with the ground. Henry slammed into it with a crack that echoed through the street. Blood splattered.
"No! Henry!" Iris sprinted toward him, dropping to her knees beside his body.
"Iris… run—"
Henry coughed blood. His eyes widened.
Iris followed his gaze and froze.
Marcus was behind her.
His massive hand closed around her throat. His voice came out low and monstrous.
"You chose them. Now you die with them."
He squeezed.
Tighter.
Tighter—
until Iris's scream broke into silence. Blood streaked down her lips and eyes.
Then—flames erupted.
A blazing fist struck Marcus across the face, hurling him through an entire row of buildings.
It was Henry. His eyes burned like twin infernos.
Marcus reappeared in front of him, swinging with all his strength.
Henry didn't dodge — he tanked the hit.
Then answered with a punch so powerful it shattered the air itself. The shockwave tore through every nearby building, every street, leaving only smoke and flame.
Marcus coughed blood and flew beyond the city walls, smashing through houses as he fell.
But Henry wasn't finished.
He leapt into the sky, came down like a meteor, and double-stomped Marcus into the earth.
Fists followed — each strike splitting the ground, each hit sounding like thunder.
Marcus opened his mouth and unleashed a blast of energy that threw Henry backward.
Both men bled. Both stood. Neither stepped back.
They charged.
Each collision cracked the world around them. Towers crumbled. The capital itself seemed to fall apart as they fought, moving from street to street — two gods locked in mortal fury.
Iris watched, trembling, tears cutting through the dust on her face.
"Please… don't die," she whispered.
A voice broke the chaos.
"Henry? And here I thought you were wishing for your brother to win."
She turned — and froze.
King Alberto stood behind her. His form had changed; horns like Marcus's twisted from his skull, his eyes glowing an inhuman red.
"Iris," he said softly, almost kindly. "You betrayed me. Now… you'll die with them."
He formed a black sword from swirling sorcery. The blade hummed with death.
He raised it — and Iris closed her eyes, accepting her fate, whispering her final wish.
"Be happy, Henry…"
CRASH!
A kick slammed into Alberto's face, launching him through several burning buildings.
Dust and flames cleared —
and there stood Ron.