The ground trembled.
Velzarian shot forward again, spear blazing like a divine sun, ripping through the air with thunderous force. His movements blurred reality, but Dark—he was already gone.
Dark: Too slow.
A blur of shadow reformed behind the king—Dark's foot crashing into Velzarian's back with brutal precision. The impact launched the monarch across the coliseum, ripping apart stone, steel, and whatever false sense of control he still clung to.
Velzarian rolled mid-air, landing in a low crouch, blood dripping from his lip. He growled, wiping it away.
Velzarian: You're fast... but speed alone won't win this.
Dark: Good thing I have more than that.
Dark lifted a single hand. The shadows obeyed like wolves tasting blood. They lunged, twisting like black serpents, binding Velzarian in mid-motion—arms, legs, chest, neck.
The king fought, golden light erupting from his body in a holy blast—but the shadows regenerated faster than he could burn them.
Dark: This is where your crown cracks.
With a flick, the shadows slammed Velzarian into the ground, pinning him down as the arena shook with every impact. The king roared, divine energy erupting in waves, struggling against the crushing force of Dark's will.
Velzarian: I am a King! You think I'll bow to a whelp like you?!
Dark landed beside him, staring down at the monarch with calm, yet commanding eyes.
Dark: Igor was my first. He challenged me. He fell. And then he knelt.
He took a slow step closer, voice low, deadly.
Dark: Then came the Emperors. Malrik and Rhazir. Stronger than anything walking this earth. They didn't fall because they were weak. They fell because I didn't.
Dark's gaze narrowed.
Dark: After that... Caelum. A conqueror. A god of flame and frost. He swore his loyalty after I showed him what true strength looked like.
Velzarian's breathing grew heavier as Dark crouched down.
Dark: And now you... A king who thinks the throne makes the man. I don't need to kill you. I'm offering you something better.
Velzarian: Tch... what could you offer me?
Dark: A place by my side. As yourself.
He stood, hands in his pockets, eyes burning with that same steady fire that broke giants.
Dark: But make no mistake—this is a choice.
The shadows pulsed behind him, swirling like a storm ready to consume everything.
Dark: If you refuse... or try to run, or fight back... you'll lose everything. No name. No legacy. No soul. Just a shadow. Hollow. Empty. Unlike the others—who chose to walk beside me.
Velzarian was silent, blood dripping from his lip as the pressure closed in.
Dark: So... choose. Join me willingly—and gain everything. Or resist...
He turned, walking away slowly.
Dark: And become nothing.
Velzarian remained still.
The crowd had gone completely silent, not a breath echoing through the wreckage of the once-grand coliseum. They waited.
The world waited.
Would the King kneel... or fall?
To Be Continued...
End Of Arc 5 Chapter 13.5.