Chapter 16: The Wilderness of Despair and Lucifer's Trap
After Volt learned to control some of his forces, the group left the Elf City. Their route led to the "Continent of the Dead," but before reaching it, they had to pass through the **"Desert of Despair"**. A place where the wind is said to contain only whispers of the devil and where people lose the truth.
Travel in the red fog
The desert was full of red dew and the sky was always the color of blood. All three friends were exhausted. Suddenly, a low, cold voice echoed in Side's mind, but this time it wasn't Sakuna's voice... it was Lucifer's.
Lucifer: "Sai... the loyal guard. Look at that vault, he's about to become king. When he reaches the peak of his power, your body will be the fuel for his revival. Is that friendship?"
Sai stood up, holding his head. "Lucifer! Get out of here! He's mine, not yours!" Sakuna screamed in anger.
The test: immortality or betrayal?
Lucifer created an illusion for Sai. Sai found himself at the age of 80, strong and youthful, in a large mansion.
Lucifer: "Only one blow, Sai. When Volt is asleep, cut through his sword. In return, I'll give you the immortality of the monster king and make Sakuna a permanent companion inside your body without hurting you. You'll be the new king, not that stupid boy."
Sai looked at Volt, who was walking tiredly beside him, still smiling at him. Sai pulled his sword out of its sheath slightly.
Sakuna's protection for Sai
Sakuna, sensing Sai's hesitation, said in a voice full of passion and strength:
"Sai! Listen! I lied to you about prolonging your life because I wanted you to live. But now I tell you the truth: I don't want Volt to live if the price is your death! Lucifer lies. If you kill Volt, you and I perish.
Sai closed his eyes, then slammed his sword back into the cave. The red haze around him vanished.
Facing the truth
Sai went to Volt and put his hand on his shoulder.
Sai: "Volt... If you ever become a ruthless king, or if your life requires my death... I won't let it. Sakuna and I have decided that we will find a third way."
Volt, not understanding what had happened, just said, "The third way? Let's look for it! I'll never let you cry, Sai.
End of chapter: The headless horseman
At the end of the desert, on the border of the Continent of the Dead, a great guard appeared. A headless knight on a fiery horse. He had the key to the gate of Lucifer's castle.
"Sai, get ready! The mental test is over, now it's time for a real battle. Let's show Lucifer how 'Shadow and King' can shake the world together!"
Next step:
In chapter 17, the battle of the headless horseman begins. Here, Volt needs to use the control he has learned to open a path for Cy to land the final blow