The city was shattered, streets cracked and burning, but the fight was far from over. Jin-Woo's shadows stretched out, thick and alive, ready to devour everything in their path. The Monarchs returned, more furious and determined than ever. Sillad raised his arms and the air froze instantly, sharp ice spikes erupting like deadly towers around Jin-Woo's army. Jin-Woo didn't hesitate. Beru soared forward with a fierce scream, slashing through the icy pillars with his sharp claws. Iron smashed the ground, breaking the frozen spikes into dust. The shards flew like bullets but the shadow soldiers moved fast, cutting and blocking every one before they could hit them. The battle noise was deafening — clashing steel, monster roars, magic exploding.
Rakan landed like a beast god, roaring wildly. His claws shredded buildings and his fangs dripped venom. He charged Iron and Igrit, slashing and biting with savage fury. Iron blocked with powerful arms, the clash of metal and claws ringing like thunder. Igrit moved like a ghost, slicing Rakan's limbs with glowing sword strikes. But Rakan was a monster, ferocious and relentless, fighting with wild rage and pain. Jin-Woo blinked into shadow and appeared behind Sillad, swinging his black sword in deadly arcs. The sword cut through ice armor and sent shards flying. Sillad tried to block, but Jin-Woo's strike broke his shield and cut deep, blood spilling.
Querehsha floated above, her insect wings buzzing with dark power. She waved her hand and green poison clouds spread across the battlefield, wilting plants and burning earth. Her insect army swarmed the shadows, biting and poisoning. Beru screamed, cutting through bugs with lightning speed, but the swarm was endless. Jin-Woo shouted, "Tusk, fireball!" The shadow mage raised his hands and threw a massive fireball that exploded, burning poison clouds and clearing the sky for a moment.
Jin-Woo charged, shadows rushing behind like a flood. He struck Sillad's armor again and again, breaking ice and flesh with every slash. Sillad roared, calling down a blizzard that froze Jin-Woo's sword mid-air. Jin-Woo vanished, dodging a giant ice spear, and reappeared at Rakan's side, stabbing deep into the beast's flank. Rakan howled and swung wildly, but Jin-Woo blocked and pushed him back with powerful strikes.
The battle was chaos. Earth cracked, buildings fell, sky burned with fire and ice. Jin-Woo called, "Beru, with me!" Beru dove down, roaring, and together they attacked Querehsha, cutting her insect wings. She screamed in rage and flew higher, releasing a deadly poison cloud, but Jin-Woo raised a shadow shield, blocking it easily. He smiled and whispered, "You can't stop me."
Rakan returned, furious and bleeding, crashing into Jin-Woo like a wild storm. They fought hand to hand, sword flashing, claws ripping. Iron and Igrit joined, slashing and smashing, fighting beasts summoned by Rakan. The fight was fierce and fast, every second full of deadly strikes and close calls. Jin-Woo's shadows grew larger, swallowing attacks and turning them back on Monarchs.
Sillad summoned a giant ice dragon, roaring and breathing freezing wind. Jin-Woo sent his shadow dragon to meet it, and the two beasts collided with a blast of shadow and ice that shook the city.
Jin-Woo's body glowed dark as he entered Shadow Ruin form, hair standing on end, eyes blazing purple. He moved like a whirlwind, cutting through Monarchs and monsters, leaving destruction behind. He struck Sillad hard, shattering ice armor and sending the Frost Monarch crashing, wounded but alive.
Rakan roared and charged again, but Jin-Woo was ready. His black sword stabbed deep into the beast's chest, forcing him to stagger back. Querehsha screamed, releasing a final poison cloud, but Jin-Woo raised a giant shadow shield and laughed, "You're weak."
The Monarchs, battered and angry, retreated into the dark sky. Jin-Woo stood tall, breathing heavy, shadows swirling like a storm around him. The city was in ruins, but the Shadow King was alive and ready.
"Come," Jin-Woo whispered to the night. "Show me what you got."