v38 "Heads Roll, Brothers Rise"
Dark Shadow cast a silent glance at Sebastian, the village chief, who stood before him with his family. Sebastian's expression held a ceremonial edge, mixed with something more hesitant—perhaps respect, perhaps fear.
—This is my wife, Amelia—he announced.
The woman took a slight step forward and, with unexpected elegance, bowed, delicately lifting the hem of her dress in a gesture of courtesy.
"Nice to meet you, Dark Shadow warrior," she said, her voice firm but soft.
— And this is my daughter, Suza.
The girl followed her mother's example, repeating the gesture with an almost practiced grace.
"Nice to meet you, Dark Shadow warrior," she said, her clear eyes fixed on the black-robed man.
"Have a seat," Dark Shadow murmured, gesturing with a tiny movement of his hand to the seats in front of him.
His eyes quickly scanned the mother and daughter. For a village of that size, it was surprising to find women of such beauty. They were not muses or goddesses of beauty, but they possessed a singular elegance that stood out against the rough, primitive setting. Some flowers simply grow where they shouldn't—and bloom anyway.
Amélia looked to be in her early thirties. For a human of that time and context, she was surprisingly well preserved. Her skin, of a light tone, conveyed unusual vitality. Her blue eyes, calm and attentive, contrasted with the golden hair that flowed over her shoulders in controlled waves. Her body, mature, maintained well-proportioned curves — a woman who had not lost her shine with time.
Suza, the daughter, appeared to be about ten years old. Her light blue eyes were even more vivid than her mother's, and her hair, also blond, fell like polished silk over her shoulders. She wore a white dress with blue highlights, simple but clean and carefully arranged. Her presence radiated innocence.
During his spying mission the night before, Dark Shadow had not had time to assess the two female figures who were now standing so close. It was clear that there was something behind that overly polite demeanor.
The hall remained silent. Since his arrival in the village with his sister, there had been no unauthorized visitors. The new servant, Alfonso, made sure that no soul dared to disturb the master.
The three visitors sat down in front of him. As usual, Dark Shadow's sister was already taking her place, discreet but attentive to every detail.
—What brings you here today? — he asked, straight to the point, without unnecessary beating around the bush.
The couple exchanged a quick glance. There was something unspoken between them. Something that made the air slightly thicker.
— Dark Shadow, I would like to ask for your help — said Sebastian, in a tone that oscillated between respect and contained despair.
— My help? — The warrior raised his eyebrow slightly, not yet showing any commitment.
— Yes. There is a problem we would like to solve with your help.
— What kind of problem would that be?
Sebastian's face stiffened. For a brief moment, he was silent, as if pondering each word. When he spoke again, his voice carried a weight that had not been present before.
— Some time ago, warriors from outside visited our village. Arrogant men... extremely arrogant. They demanded an absurd amount of money, and out of fear, we paid them. After that, they left.
— And where's the problem with that?
—None... at that time. The problem arose later. Somehow they discovered that the old village chief—the one from two generations ago—had been a warrior. And that... he liked to research the elements.
Dark Shadow's gaze sharpened. For the first time since the conversation began, there was real interest on his face. Noticing this, Sebastian continued more firmly.
— They're back. This time, demanding their former boss's research material.
Dark Shadow crossed his fingers in front of his face, his eyes hidden by a shadow cast by his hood.
"Did you hand over the chief's elementary research material from two generations ago?" he asked, his tone oscillating between curiosity and veiled disapproval.
— No. We don't deliver — replied Sebastião, firmly.
— Why? Are you confident that you can protect something like that when you're just a primitive? — There was a hint of sarcasm in Dark Shadow's voice, although his tone remained calm.
—That's not the case. There are two reasons. The first is that we fear that if we give in once, they'll keep coming back with new demands. The second… is that no one knows where the material is. The head of that generation hid it. Not even his direct descendants know where it is.
The spark of interest that had shone in Dark Shadow's eyes began to fade. His curiosity about the so-called elementary research lost strength in the face of the lack of concrete information.
—And you told them that? — he asked, his voice colder.
— Yes. But they refused to accept that answer. On the last visit, they brought someone new... a young master.
Dark Shadow remained silent for a moment.
— And what about this young master?
Sebastian's response did not come immediately. Instead, his eyes flickered briefly to his daughter, Suza.
— That bastard... — growled Sebastian, his fists clenched on the table. — He's interested in Suza. Now he wants to make her his personal servant.
The silence that followed weighed like lead over the hall. Dark Shadow's sister, sitting nearby, looked up slightly. Dark Shadow, for his part, remained expressionless for a moment before asking:
— Have they given up on elementary research?
—They said they were no longer interested in that — Sebastian replied through gritted teeth. —They said that, instead, we should hand over... Suza.
The words seemed to taste like poison in his mouth. Anger trembled in his voice, but there was also helplessness—the burden of a father crushed between honor and survival.
Dark Shadow looked away at the girl, then back at the boss.
— Do you want me to protect you?
"That would be ideal," Sebastian admitted. "But I know it would be asking too much. Just... take her. Take her to the nearest town. At least there she can disappear, be away from these monsters. That's all I ask."
"This, of course, will not be free," he added urgently. "We are prepared to pay whatever it takes."
Dark Shadow rested his elbows on the table, interlaced his fingers, and watched him with renewed interest.
— And what do you have to offer?
Without hesitation, Sebastian took out three elemental crystals wrapped in a dark cloth and placed them on the table. They glowed in the flickering torchlight, reflecting blues, greens, and ambers.
For an instant, Dark Shadow's gaze lit up. He reached out, picked up the crystals, and slowly turned them between his fingers. He hadn't expected to find something like this here. In a village forgotten by the world, such a resource was unthinkable.
— Destination city?
— Kissala. It's the closest one.
Coincidence or fate, Dark Shadow had already planned to go there. Taking a girl with him wouldn't be much of a detour. Besides, the offer made the choice… convenient.
"Alright," he said, putting the crystals inside his cloak. "I accept your request. But tell me... how did you get those crystals?"
—While we don't know where the rest of the former boss's research is, we were able to recover these three crystals from his former residence. They were hidden in a sealed chamber.
Dark Shadow stared at the man for a moment. Then, he raised his chin slightly.
—And why trust your daughter to me? Aren't you afraid that I won't keep my end of the bargain?
Sebastian hesitated, but then looked at Dark Shadow's sister. What he saw there, apparently, was enough to dispel any doubts.
— At first... I had my reservations. But seeing how you treat your sister, I realize you're not a bad person.
Dark Shadow let out a dry, guttural laugh, the sound reverberating off the stone walls like the echo of a predator enjoying itself.
— Hahahaha... some beasts are loving with their young — he said, with half-closed eyes. — But that never stopped any of them from tearing apart whoever crossed their path.
"I've considered that too," Sebastian said, his voice firm. "But even now, you haven't shown any interest in my daughter… or my wife. That's why I've decided to entrust Suza to you."
Dark Shadow raised his eyebrows, then let out a dry, sarcastic laugh.
- Serious?
— Yes, of course — confirmed Sebastian, with a brief nod.
Dark Shadow tilted his head slightly, as if he was keeping a joke to himself.
"Have you... not considered the possibility that my lack of interest is simply due to the fact that I am still a nine-year-old child?" he asked with a mocking smile. "And therefore, I have not yet shown any interest in the opposite sex?"
The room fell into a disconcerting silence. Sebastian and Amelia looked at each other, astonished. In their eyes, the same doubt formed—this didn't make sense. To them, Darck Shadow was clearly an adult. A powerful warrior who, according to legend, had chosen to maintain his childlike form. It was common for very old wizards and warriors to use this resource—young appearance, ancient power.
— Going back a bit — continued Darck Shadow, breaking the silence —, Chief Sebastian, what do you know about these mysterious warriors who appeared so suddenly in this region?
The chief shook his head, his eyes lowering in regret.
—To be honest, I don't know much about it. Only that they arrived about a month ago. They stayed for a while in the neighboring village, three days away from here.
Dark Shadow nodded, and then his posture changed.
— If that's all, then you can leave.
— Y-yes, of course. We've already taken up too much of your time — Sebastian replied, bowing.
He, Suza and Amélia bowed together, in respect, and turned to leave.
— Wait.
Darck Shadow's voice stopped them at the threshold. The three of them stopped, tense.
Dark Shadow looked up at the young girl.
— You... Suza, right?
— Y-yes, my name is Suza — she replied, nervously.
— Take my little sister to play. She likes places with flowers and butterflies. But don't go too far.
Suza brightened slightly at the request.
— Of course. It will be an honor.
— Alfonso.
— Master Darck Shadow — replied a robust man who was standing near the door, until then silent.
— Go. Protect the girls while they play. Don't let anyone get near them.
— Yes, master.
Days passed.
During this time, Suza and Lusmira became inseparable — at least physically. They spent long mornings under the clear sky, watching with attentive eyes the serene flight of butterflies among the wildflowers. However, no matter how hard Suza tried to start a conversation, Lusmira never responded. It was like talking to a petal — beautiful, but silent. The girl's gaze always remained distant, serene, as if she existed on another plane.
Darck Shadow, for his part, had secluded himself in his chamber. He spent the four days immersed in deep meditation, trying to reach the third level. His elemental core already had enough power — what he lacked now was understanding. More specifically, the understanding of darkness.
But his progress was frustrating. No matter how hard he tried, the laws governing the dark elements remained just beyond his grasp, like shadows slipping through his fingers. So he made a decision: he would set out for Kissala. There, he hoped to find a specialized organization—something that could give him the knowledge he needed to break through the next barrier.
Just beyond the village gates, a flowery field stretched out, bathed in the golden morning light. It was there that Suza and Lusmira were, still watching the butterflies, with Afonso watching closely from a short distance away. A second Saturday Night mercenary, now under the command of Darck Shadow, remained on standby nearby.
Suddenly, a loud sound echoed through the village—a dull thud followed by an explosive crack, as if something had been thrown roughly against the main gate.
Afonso and the mercenary stood up in alert, their eyes wide. Suza put her hands to her mouth, startled. Instinct forced her to retreat.
But Lusmira... didn't move. Sitting on the grass, her eyes fixed on a blue butterfly that was landing on a lily, she seemed to have heard absolutely nothing. She was at peace. Completely undisturbed.
— Go see what's going on. And report to me immediately — Afonso ordered one of his men.
He then turned to the two girls.
— Suza, young mistress... we'd better get back to the inn. Something's going on.
— Yes... let's go — replied Suza, still looking restless.
However, Lusmira remained where she was. When Suza tried to pull her by the hand, the girl shook her head, denying. She didn't speak, but her refusal was clear as day.
The tension was growing.
Then, a haughty voice echoed throughout the surroundings, filled with arrogance and intent.
— Sebastian, quickly! Come out and greet our young master!
Afonso frowned. His eyes scanned the horizon suspiciously.
"Young mistress," he said in a low voice, addressing Lusmira, "trouble is approaching."
— Hey, you — said a sudden voice.
Afonso froze. His eyes narrowed, his muscles tensed.
— Too late... — he murmured, as if recognizing the inevitable arrival of a storm.
Five figures approached slowly, like predators in the open. All were human. Four of them were young adults, appearing to be between nineteen and twenty-two years old. The fifth was the most unusual of all—a boy no more than thirteen, slight of build but with the arrogant posture of a warlord.
"What a pleasant surprise," said the boy, smiling as if he were contemplating an old toy he had found again. His name was Carlos. Despite his age, he was the young master mentioned a few minutes earlier.
— Young master, Suza is right here — said Toledo, one of the men, pointing with a slight gesture of his chin.
— Don't be stupid, Toledo. We all have eyes. The young master is not blind — Pipo replied, with disdain.
"It looks like our trip will be short this time," commented Simon, the third member of the group, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Carlos didn't answer. He just stared at Suza with a strange glow in his eyes, as if she were a possession that belonged to him by right.
— Pipo. Bring Suza to me — he ordered, dryly, authoritatively.
— Yes, young master — Pipo replied with a crooked smile, his eyes sliding over Suza like blades.
Afonso took a deep breath. He stood in front of the girls, like a wall that was barely holding itself together. Sweat ran down the back of his neck, his legs were shaking. It was his duty to protect them. But he was just a primitive being. And in front of him... marched a warrior. What should he do?
"Stop right there," said a firm voice, cutting through the air like a blade.
Pipo stopped.
The relief was immediate, almost palpable. Afonso let out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. Everyone turned to face the new presence.
Sebastian had appeared, breaking his hesitation. He walked with long strides, his face grim and his hands clenched. Behind him came his wife Amélia and a small group of guards.
— Sebastian, so you finally got out of your hole — Toledo said ironically, crossing his arms and smiling mockingly.
Sebastian ignored the provocation. His voice sounded loud, despite the fear growing in his chest.
— How dare you come back here?
But inside, her heart was trembling. What she had feared so much had happened. They had arrived sooner than she had expected. She had thought she still had three days—enough time for Darck Shadow to leave with Lusmira. Enough time to avoid a confrontation.
But fate did not wait.
Carlos did not even spare a glance for the old village chief. In his mind, Sebastian was beneath the conversation. Unworthy.
With a simple gesture of his eyes, he gave Toledo permission to answer in his place.
— Sebastian... — Toledo began, his voice filled with disdain —, you had courage. Our young master offered you and your village mercy. A chance. And you wasted it.
"It's been over a week," Toledo bellowed, his chest puffed out, "since our young master ordered you to hand over Suza. All you had to do was obey. In exchange, your village would be spared. But you chose to ignore the sentence of the one above you."
The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating.
"As punishment," he continued, his eyes flashing, "we're going to take Suza. And we're going to search every filthy corner of this village until we find the previous chief's elementary study material."
Carlos gave a slight twist of his wrist, a gesture of elegant and cruel impatience.
— Pipo, who told you to stop? Bring me Suza. I've already wasted too much of my time.
Pipo hesitated for a moment.
But before he could take a step, Sebastian stepped forward, imposing himself like a wall of flesh and bones before the invader.
"You will only take Suza... over my dead body," he said in a firm voice. In his eyes burned a desperate but non-negotiable bravery.
Pipo stopped. He looked at Carlos for further instruction.
"Pipo, you useless idiot," the young master growled with a bored smile, "didn't you hear? Quickly step over that old man's filthy corpse and bring Suza to me."
Carlos's laugh was thin and sharp, like glass breaking inside the chest of whoever heard it.
— As you wish — Pipo replied, indifferently.
With a sudden movement, he lunged forward. His arm raised like a whip, and the slap he delivered to Sebastian sent the old man flying like a rag doll. The village chief's body flew a few meters before crashing violently into the ground. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining his chin.
The difference between a primitive being and an evolving being was absurd—like an adult crushing a newborn. Even a careless blow was fatal.
- Daddy!
— Darling!
— Village chief!
The voices overlapped in panic, coming from different directions. Amelia ran first, her eyes wide and her knees shaking. Suza screamed in despair. The guards, visibly shaken, drew their swords with hands that could barely keep steady.
But with every step Pipo took towards them, the guards took two steps back, swallowing hard, terrified.
It was like watching an adult intimidate a bunch of armed children. One by one, they fell—not with precise blows, but with the simple imposition of fear and force.
- Daddy!
— Darling!
Amélia and Suza reached Sebastião's body. They tried to lift him up between tears and despair.
"I... I'm fine..." he mumbled with difficulty. But his voice was choked, and the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth contradicted every syllable.
Pipo didn't hesitate. With one large hand, he brutally pushed Amélia aside, making her scream, and with the other he grabbed Suza by the shoulders and pulled her. She struggled, struggled, but it was no use.
Suza was dragged, crying, towards the young master.
Carlos greeted her with a triumphant smile, his eyes shining with wicked satisfaction.
"Now," he said, pointing with his chin, "bring that girl along too."
His finger pointed to Lusmira, Darck Shadow's sister.
— You can't take her! — roared Afonso, positioning himself in front of Lusmira with his arms open — My master will chop you into pieces if you dare to lay a finger on her!
Pipo raised an eyebrow, contempt dripping from his voice like venom.
—Then why don't you call your master right now? I want to see this so-called "miraculous protector"—he mocked, not hiding his boredom. In Pipo's mind, in a village of primitive beings, there was no one he couldn't crush with a simple movement of his fingers.
Afonso, filled with desperate courage, drew his sword from its sheath with a sharp snap.
— DIE! — he shouted, and advanced with fury in his eyes.
—Stupid... — Pipo grumbled.
Benq!
The slap was as quick as it was brutal. Afonso was thrown through the air like a rag doll, falling to the ground with a dull thud. Laughter echoed among the soldiers, mocking the pathetic attempt at resistance.
Without wasting any time, Pipo extended his large, grotesque hand towards Lusmira. He tried to pull her with the same ease with which he had taken Suza. But she didn't move. Not even a millimeter.
He frowned.
He squeezed harder. He pulled with more determination.
Nothing.
— Pipo, stop playing around — Toledo grumbled impatiently.
—I'm not kidding! — he replied, panting. —She... she's not moving!
— What do you mean 'it's not moving'? Just pull and that's it! — Toledo snorted, as if Pipo's incompetence was the real obstacle.
— I'm pulling! — Pipo yelled, sweat pouring from his forehead — It's like she's glued to the floor!
Now everyone was silent. Eyes turned to Lusmira.
She didn't resist or fight. She just watched Pipo with a serene... and curious expression. As if she were analyzing an insect about to be crushed.
It was then that the fourth man, the silent and mysterious member of the group—known only as Sisu —opened his eyes. Until then, he had been oblivious to everything, with his eyes closed, as if nothing deserved his attention. But now he stared at Lusmira with a tense gaze.
— Something's wrong... — Carlos murmured, frowning.
— BE CAREFUL! — Sisu suddenly shouted, in a tone that cut through the air like a blade.
But it was too late.
BENG!
A colossal impact exploded in Pipo's chest. He flew as if he had been struck by a divine sledgehammer. His body spun in the air like a kite whose strings had been brutally cut, and he fell dozens of meters away, his chest crushed and his eyes wide with disbelief.
He hadn't seen the blow. He didn't even know where it had come from.
He just felt it. The pain burned, every bone in his chest screaming in agony. He tried to breathe—but no air came. Only pain.
A shadow stepped forward. The air around it seemed to tremble with its presence.
A voice echoed with controlled fury, icy and loaded with murderous intent:
— You piece of shit... how dare you touch my sister with your dirty hands?
The earth seemed to shake beneath his feet.
— Master Darck Shadow.
— Warrior Darck Shadow...
— Dark Shadow...
Amélia, Afonso, Sebastião and Suza pronounced the name almost in unison. Their tones were a mixture of relief, reverence and a hint of contained concern.
— Little sister... are you okay? — Darck Shadow asked, his deep voice full of tenderness.
Lusmira responded with only a slight nod, his eyes sparkling with restrained emotion. He smiled almost imperceptibly.
— Ouch... ouch... ouch... — Pipo grumbled, slowly getting up while pressing his chest with both hands. His face was twisted in pain, and every movement made his ribs protest violently. — Who was the bastard who attacked me so stealthily?
But Darck Shadow ignored him completely. Not even a look of contempt. As if Pipo was an insignificant and already forgotten insect.
After confirming that Lusmira was unharmed, Darck approached Afonso, knelt in front of the boy lying on the floor and removed a small glass bottle with green liquid from his tunic.
— Master... please... punish me... I failed... I couldn't protect her... — stammered Afonso, his eyes clouded with shame.
— Shut up and drink — Darck interrupted sternly. — Do you really believe that primitive beings like these can threaten an evolving being?
— Ye... yes, sir... — Afonso obeyed promptly, bringing the potion to his lips. Within seconds, the cuts and bruises on his body began to disappear as if they had never existed.
Then Dark Shadow went to Sebastian and gave him another potion. The effect was the same: his wounds closed, his breathing calmed down, the pain left his muscles.
— Who are you...? — Pipo murmured, still with his hand on his chest. The pain did not allow him to bravado. The blow he had received could not have come from an ordinary man — and, although he was arrogant, he was not completely stupid.
Darck walked slowly toward him. The sound of his footsteps seemed amplified by the reverent silence of the scene. Pipo swallowed hard. His muscles tensed. He wouldn't be hit twice without fighting back. This time, he would act first.
— DIE! — he roared, in a burst of courage.
He pulled his sword from its sheath with a violent twist and launched a swift attack.
Darck Shadow dodged it with a simple tilt of his body.
Pipo advanced again. Cuts, thrusts, circular attacks. Blow after blow, all frustrated. It was like fighting an intangible shadow.
Frustrated and alarmed, Pipo released his aura. A greenish glow appeared around his body, thick as sap, enveloping him like living armor.
His body became lighter. His movements became more agile. The strength of the primordial wood pulsed in his muscles.
Darck watched silently, until an opening appeared.
His fist was enveloped in a dense, dark energy— the element of darkness , pulsing like a living entity around his hand.
With absolute precision, he charged forward and hit Pipo's jaw with a single direct blow.
BENG!
The dry sound of bone breaking echoed in the air. Pipo's jaw gave way. Blood ran down his mouth like a scarlet river.
Without hesitation, Darck Shadow delivered two additional blows—quick, accurate, merciless.
BENG! BENG!
— Fern Root!
Breathless, his body swaying, Pipo thrust his sword into the ground. In an instant, the ground shook. Thick, twisted roots emerged violently, like furious green serpents. Intertwined ferns rose in heaps, whipping the air like living ropes, uncontrolled and furious.
Darck Shadow began to dodge—fluid, almost dancing movements. But as the roots grew in number and aggression, his steps became more calculated. It was impossible to evade them all at once.
— Take that! DIE! — Pipo smiled with satisfaction when he saw Darck apparently cornered.
— Stupid.
With a smooth twist, Darck drew his own sword. The steel sliced through the air like silk in the wind. Each strike was a deadly dance. One by one, the roots were torn apart, cut with precise, terrifying beauty. Slowly but surely, he advanced, each swing of his sword bringing him closer to his opponent.
Pipo took a step back.
When Darck raised his blade to deliver the final blow—aiming for Pipo's head—something changed.
Suddenly, Darck Shadow jumped back in a series of agile retreats.
ZUNGG!
Two throwing knives sliced through the air at the exact spot where he had been a second before. If he had hesitated, at least one would have pierced him.
— You can stop now. You seem strong... How about serving under my flag? — the voice was firm, authoritative. Carlos had appeared.
— Young master, this boy... — Pipo murmured.
— Shut up. You should be grateful — your head almost rolled just now.
Pipo closed his mouth, visibly embarrassed by his master's reprimand.
But Darck Shadow didn't answer. Dark eyes, firm posture. He ignored the proposal.
In the blink of an eye, he attacked again. This time, faster. Much faster.
— Fern Root: Frenzy! — Pipo shouted, in panic.
From the ground, a new wave of roots surged wildly. It was as if the earth itself was roaring. The roots dug and shot out at terrifying speed. But Darck didn't hesitate.
He rose into the air like a shadowy figure, and while still in midair, he unleashed a barrage of sword beams. The slashes flew like blades of black light, slicing through the roots with cruel precision. They were reduced to vegetable splinters in seconds.
As his feet touched the ground again, Darck propelled himself forward, breaking through the enemy's last line of defense. In a single movement.
The sword shone.
Silence.
No one moved.
Everyone's eyes widened as Pipo's head fell off his neck and rolled across the ground. A second later, his body collapsed with a dull thud, staining the ground with blood.
— How dare you? Why did you kill him?! — Carlos exploded in fury.
— Anyone who touches my sister is asking to die. — Darck Shadow replied, his voice as cold as stone buried in ancient snow.
— You bastard! And that gives you the right to kill my subordinate?! — Carlos roared, his fists clenched in rage.
— You talk too much. Take Suza and disappear with your men. — Darck Shadow's presence became denser, the shadow in his eyes seemed to envelop the air around him.
— Haha... Hahaha... Hahahaha! — Carlos laughed out loud, his face twisted between contempt and arrogance. — Just because you killed Pipo, you think no one here is a match for you? Naive!
— Toledo, Simão. Teach this country bumpkin a lesson. — Marcelo ordered, coldly and confidently.
— Yes, young master. — they answered in unison.
Toledo and Simão stepped forward. Unlike Pipo, who had underestimated his enemy, these two were prepared. They immediately summoned their elemental auras .
Fire elemental warrior . His sword glowed with red embers, and the air around him rippled with heat.
Simon, in turn, channeled the Earth Element . His body was enveloped by an earthy, pulsating armor, as if ancient rocks were protecting him. The ground shook beneath his feet.
—Elemental Earth Art: Landslide! — Simon shouted, thrusting the blade into the ground.
A sudden crack opened beneath Darck Shadow. Without hesitation, he jumped back, avoiding being swallowed by the ground.
It was at that exact moment that Toledo acted.
—Elemental Fire Art: Great Fireball!
Toledo's sword flared violently, and an immense incandescent sphere was thrown furiously into the air.
BENG!
The explosion lit up the area. Flames engulfed Darck Shadow.
Author's Note – Whispers in the Shadows
Fire burns, the earth trembles... and heads roll. Literally. Dark Shadow is not messing around, and anyone who dares to lay a finger on Lusmira will end up learning the hard way that this is suicide with style.
But what now? Was the fire blow enough to stop this monster? Or was he just really angry? Toledo and Simão seem stronger than the late Pipo (may God rest his soul... or not), but are they strong enough?
I want to see you in the comments: — What would you do in Carlos' place? — Should Lusmira learn to fight? — How many blows do you think Darck can still take? — And where are you reading this story from? I want to know how far this shadow war is reaching the world!
Don't forget to vote , comment and support the work with that naughty donation. The story is shaped by you — yes, you there on the other side of the screen. Every click, every word, every theory helps me push this plot forward like a carriage without brakes towards chaos!
See you in the next chapter…If you survive until then.
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