Chapter 62 — Flame and Shadows

  The twilight over the village deepened, despite the absence of a sun. In this Realm of Shadows, where time did not exist, light was merely an illusion — as fragile as the hope for salvation.

  On the horizon appeared Ovius’ army: countless ranks of creatures, each with blazing eyes, curved blades, and spiked armor.

  “They’re coming,” Reina whispered, gripping her staff with both hands. Her voice was firm, but something within her trembled — not fear, but the premonition of inevitable pain.

  “We won’t let them pass,” replied Mayra. The girl stood tall, her hair — woven from dusk itself — fluttering in the cold air. In her eyes burned a fierce, unyielding resolve. She had lost her family, but not her will.

  “You’re holding up well,” Reina nodded. “But this battle will be brutal.”

  “I was born among Shadows. And today, for the first time — I don’t fear them.”

  They stood side by side, at the edge of the village. Men and women from the settlement lined up behind them, armed with whatever they could find: spears, hunting knives, even fragments of broken artifacts. They were ordinary people, but their eyes held determination.

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  When the first roar rolled across the plain, the ground trembled. A horned creature with a flaming sword surged forward — and Reina raised her staff. From skies that did not exist, a lightning bolt struck. The flash tore through the darkness, and the first beast vanished into a cloud of ash.

  “It begins!” Mayra cried.

  A monster lunged at her, but she slipped beneath its strike and drove her blade into a vulnerable gap between plates of armor. Black blood hissed as it splattered on the ground.

  Reina was already tracing runes in the air, calling upon ancient wards. A wave of magic repelled ten shadows, hurling them into the air like dolls. Her face remained calm, but blood trickled from her ears — the price of power.

  Through the din and chaos, Reina noticed: Mayra moved like a dancer, not a fighter. Her strikes were precise, her steps measured. She wasn’t merely surviving — she was fighting as if she had awaited this moment her whole life.

  But Ovius hadn’t sent weaklings. Behind the first wave came heavier shadows — monstrosities forged of armor, bone, and flame. One broke through, and a villager couldn’t move in time.

  In that instant, Reina leapt forward, her staff struck the ground, and a chain of light flared — the warrior was saved, but Reina collapsed to her knees.

  “Are you alright?!” Mayra shouted, running up to her.

  “All I had…” Reina smiled faintly. “I gave it. But they won’t get through.”

  Thunder cracked above. A spark flew across the sky, and into the heart of battle crashed Ethan, swinging his blazing sword.

  “Someone call for a hero?!” he roared.

  “You’re late!” Reina called, though relief flickered in her voice.

  “I was waiting for the perfect dramatic moment!”

  He charged into the fray, drawing the enemies away from the faltering defenders. Soon Stan joined him, trailing a swirling shield of shadow magic. They weren’t winning — but they were holding.

  Mayra wiped blood from her face and clenched her teeth.

  “We must survive until dawn. Even if dawn never comes here.”

  And she hurled herself into the heart of battle — against the darkness, against fear, for those who still remained.