Kingsland Arc Chapter:38 - Blade of Purification
Ronin, Lamus, Kaelen, and Miya sprinted through the swirling chaos of shadows toward the looming Shadow Legionnaire. Saber, in his cat form, was a blur of purple light at Ronin's side, unleashing focused magical pulses that vaporized phantoms in their path. Luna, the shadow wolf, moved with the speed of a whisper, clearing the way for Kaelen and Lamus, who were a shield wall around the focused Miya.
Back at the defensive perimeter, Freya watched them go. She commanded Chou to use his ground magic to create a barrier. A wall of pulsating earth erupted from the ground, encasing their section of the battlefield.
Chou (grunting as he channels his power): "It won't last long, Miss Freya!"
Freya: "It doesn't have to! We will fight!"
As Ronin's team advanced, the Shadow Legionnaire observed them with its burning crimson eyes. A silent command emanated from it, and the shadow phantoms around the group began to spawn faster, their forms solidifying with terrifying speed. Kaelen and Lamus fought with a desperate ferocity, their swords clashing against the endless tide to protect Miya.
Ronin kept his gaze locked on the Legionnaire, anticipating its every move. But it was no ordinary foe. In a single, impossible blink, the Legionnaire vanished. Ronin's eyes widened, his mind screaming in alarm as the very air where the Legionnaire had stood turned to a cold vacuum. It had teleported right through them.
Saber (a desperate screech from Ronin's shoulder): "Ronin! Look back!"
Ronin spun, but it was too late. A black sword, forged from pure shadow, was already piercing through Lamus's stomach. A sickening crunch echoed through the silent moment that followed. Kaelen and Miya's eyes broadened in horror. The Shadow Legionnaire pulled its sword free, leaving a gaping, smoking wound.
"LAMUS!" Ronin's scream was raw, a sound of agony and rage.
In that single, agonizing moment, Ronin's mind was thrown back in time. The same silent pause, the same sickening sight of a blade piercing a loved one. His mother, Margaret, stabbed by the very darkness he now fought.
His body seized, and an immense, demonic power surged from his core. A horn, twisted and black, erupted from his forehead. His eyes bled from a deep red to a searing crimson, and his skin took on a dark, corrupted hue. He had entered his demonic state.
The Shadow Legionnaire, undeterred, lunged at Miya with a second strike, but Ronin was faster. His twin blades, Sei and Kuro, appeared in his hands as he intercepted the attack with a deafening clang. Sparks of dark energy flew. Kaelen, meanwhile, redoubled his efforts, a furious blur of steel as he fought the encroaching phantoms around a devastated Miya.
Miya (sobbing as she kneels beside Lamus): "I… I have to heal him. He protected me."
From behind the earthen wall, Freya, Chou, and the others heard Ronin's scream.
Freya: "Chou, take the wall down! Now! Prepare yourselves to fight!"
The walls of earth crumbled back into dust. Their eyes immediately locked on the scene: Lamus was down, and a transformed, demonic Ronin was locked in a brutal duel with the Shadow Legionnaire. They could see that Ronin was barely holding his own.
Yue Xin and Rafaela's eyes widened in shock at the sight of his demonic form.
Ronin and the Legionnaire were a storm of clashing blades.
"Sparks and dark energy hissed with each collision. Ronin's arms ached from the shuddering impacts, the air around them pulsing, hot and cold with magical force."
The Legionnaire's strikes were faster, stronger, and more precise. Each blow pushed Ronin back, chipping away at his defenses.
Freya: "Solar Flare!"
Freya unleashed a wave of light magic that incinerated half of the remaining phantoms, giving her group breathing room.
Rafaela: (Seeing the scene) "Miya needs help. I'm going to her!"
Rafaela sprinted to Miya's side, adding her healing power to the unconscious Lamus.
Freya (shouting to the group): "Miya! Keep a Purify spell ready!"
Yue Xin, seeing Ronin faltering, acted. "Binding Vines!" she screamed, channeling her magic. Thick vines shot from the ground and wrapped around the Legionnaire's legs. But it was too weak; the Legionnaire shattered the vines instantly.
Ronin and the Legionnaire continued to exchange blows, the Legionnaire's relentless assault battering Ronin's defenses.
With a defiant roar, Yue Xin tried again, channeling every ounce of magic she had left. "Binding... VINES!"
This time, the vines were thicker, more numerous, and more resilient. They wrapped around the Legionnaire, binding its limbs and torso with an unbreakable grip. It held firm, holding the creature immobile for ten precious seconds.
Freya: "MIYA! NOW!"
"Miya's hands trembled; doubt gnawed at her as she remembered fizzling spells and the crushing responsibility. Rafaela's grip steadied her—'You're not alone. We trust you.'"
Miya, with a desperate sob, raised her hands, a blinding white light gathering in her palms. It was the Purify spell. She launched it at the bound Legionnaire, but it was not enough. The light hit, the Legionnaire screamed, but it was only partially purified, and it began to break free from the vines.
Miya (crumpling to her knees, crying): "No… it's not working!"
Yue Xin collapsed, her magic exhausted, as the Legionnaire's bonds began to fray.
"NOT YET! DON'T GIVE UP!" Ronin's voice, demonic but filled with pure hope, cut through the despair. He used his last reserve of demonic energy to charge at the Legionnaire.
Freya: "Everyone, don't give up! Yue Xin, again! Miya, cast the Purification spell again!"
"As the last phantoms lunged for Miya and Rafaela, Chou summoned a spray of molten stone, driving them back. Kaelen's sword swept wide, intercepting shadow claws with a roar—staking his every last strength on their survival."
Chou & Kaelen (fighting side-by-side): "We are NOT dying here!"
Chou and Kaelen fought with a fierce resolve, their elemental magic keeping the phantoms from overwhelming the healers.
Yue Xin, though her body screamed in protest, pushed herself up. With a final, guttural scream, she channeled every last drop of magic she had. "BINDING VINES!"
The vines shot forth one last time, thicker and more numerous than before. They wrapped the Legionnaire completely, holding it in an unbreakable grip. Yue Xin fell to her knees, breathing heavily, but she held the spell.
Freya: "Miya! Now! Use it on Ronin's sword!"
Miya, exhausted and tearful, began to cast the spell again, but her magic was weak. At that moment, Rafaela, kneeling over Lamus, reached out and added her magic to Miya's. The two streams of purification magic merged, becoming a single, powerful beam of white light. It hit Ronin's blade, Sei.
"Sei shone with painful brilliance, casting long, quivering shadows and forcing even the Legionnaire's darkness to retreat. For a heartbeat, the blade seemed too pure, too bright—hope itself turned into steel."
Saber: "Ronin! Now! Pierce him with the sword!"
Ronin leapt, and with a guttural roar, plunged the blade through the Legionnaire's chest. The purified blade pierced through the curse itself, causing the Legionnaire to let out a final, agonizing scream.
Yue Xin's vines dissipated as her magic finally gave out. The Legionnaire's form began to crack and crumble. It fell to its knees, a look of peaceful relief on its spectral face. All around them, the shadow phantoms vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but an eerie silence.
Tears streamed down the faces of the group as they collapsed, exhausted, but victorious.
The Legionnaire's form dissolved into motes of pure light. Its voice, no longer menacing, echoed softly.
"For a moment, no one could move. Ronin collapsed to his knees, sword limp in hand. Miya sobbed, Rafaela embraced her, and Saber's violet eyes blinked with relief. A wave of tears and gasps rippled through the group as silence settled like dawn after a nightmare."
The Shadow Legionnaire: "Thank you... I am free."
And with that, it vanished forever.
[To Be Continued]