The sky was a burning red, filled with dark clouds and flashes of lightning that cut through the air like knives. Jin-Woo stood in the middle of the ruined city, his shadows swirling like a black storm ready to strike. The Monarchs had landed. Sillad, the Frost Monarch, stepped forward, his body glowing cold blue, his breath freezing the air. His hands raised, and instantly massive spikes of ice erupted from the ground, piercing the streets and buildings like giant swords. Jin-Woo didn't hesitate. With a roar, he sent Beru and Iron forward. Beru flew high, claws tearing through the ice pillars, smashing them to shards. Iron smashed the ground with giant fists, breaking the ice from beneath. The icy spikes shattered and exploded in sharp shards that flew toward Jin-Woo's army, but the shadow soldiers moved fast, cutting and blocking the deadly projectiles. The air was cold and harsh, biting through shadows, but Jin-Woo's army fought on, unstoppable.
Suddenly, Rakan, the Beast Monarch, crashed down from the sky like a meteor, his roar shaking the city to its core. He slammed his huge fists into the ground, cracking the earth and sending shockwaves in every direction. He charged at Iron, claws extended like giant blades. Iron blocked with his powerful arms, the sound of metal clashing against claws booming like thunder. They slammed into each other again and again, the ground breaking beneath them with every hit. Rakan bit Iron's shoulder and threw him back, but Iron stood up, eyes burning with rage, and charged again, punching Rakan's chest with all his might. The beast stumbled but quickly recovered, slashing wildly. Nearby, Jin-Woo disappeared into shadows and reappeared behind Sillad. He swung his black sword in a deadly arc. Sillad raised an icy shield just in time, but Jin-Woo broke through, sending shards of ice flying everywhere. The clash of sword and ice echoed like thunder.
Querehsha, the Plague Monarch, floated above the battlefield, her insect wings buzzing. She waved her hand, sending green poison clouds spreading across the sky. The clouds drifted down, covering the ground in sickness and rot. Her insect army swarmed the shadows, biting and poisoning, trying to break Jin-Woo's defense. Beru screamed and cut through the insects with razor claws, but the bugs came faster than he could kill. Jin-Woo shouted, "Tusk, now!" The shadow mage gathered dark energy and threw a massive fireball into the sky. It exploded with a deafening roar, burning away the poison clouds and clearing the air for a moment.
Jin-Woo charged forward, shadows rushing behind him like a tidal wave. He struck Sillad's frozen armor again and again, breaking pieces off with every hit. Sillad roared and sent a blizzard crashing down, freezing Jin-Woo's sword mid-air, but Jin-Woo moved faster. He vanished into shadows, dodging a giant ice spear and appearing at Rakan's side. He slashed deep into the Beast Monarch's flank. Rakan howled in pain and swung wildly, but Jin-Woo blocked and stabbed, pushing him back.
The battle was chaos. The ground cracked, buildings crumbled, and the sky burned with fire and ice. Jin-Woo called out, "Beru, with me!" Beru swooped down, roaring, and together they attacked Querehsha, cutting through her insect wings. She screamed in rage and flew higher, releasing a cloud of poison that almost caught them, but Jin-Woo blocked with a shadow shield. He grinned and whispered, "You can't stop me."
Rakan returned, furious and bloody, and crashed into Jin-Woo with the force of a storm. They fought hand to hand, Jin-Woo's sword flashing, Rakan's claws ripping. Iron and Igrit joined in, slashing and smashing, fighting the beast and his summoned monsters. The battle was fierce, fast, and brutal. Jin-Woo's shadows grew larger and darker, swallowing attacks and turning them back against the Monarchs.
Sillad summoned a giant ice dragon, which roared and breathed freezing wind, but Jin-Woo sent out his shadow dragon, and the two beasts collided in a blast of shadow and ice. The city shook with the force of the clash.
Jin-Woo's body glowed with dark power as he entered Shadow Ruin form. His hair stood on end, eyes blazing purple. He moved like a whirlwind, cutting through Monarchs and monsters, leaving destruction behind. He struck Sillad with a powerful slash that shattered the ice armor completely, sending the Frost Monarch crashing to the ground, wounded but alive.
Rakan roared and charged again, but Jin-Woo was ready. He summoned his black sword and stabbed deep into Rakan's chest, the beast staggering and falling back. Querehsha screamed and released a final poison cloud, but Jin-Woo raised a giant shadow shield and laughed, "You're weak."
The battle was not over, but Jin-Woo had shown his power. The Monarchs retreated, injured and angry, disappearing into the dark sky. Jin-Woo stood tall, breathing hard, his army behind him. The city was destroyed, but the Shadow King was alive and ready.
"Come," Jin-Woo whispered to the night. "Show me what you got."