The warbeast’s roar split the air, drowning out the clash of weapons and the screams of soldiers. Around the battlefield, defenders fought valiantly, their resolve tempered by desperation. Garron’s rogues danced among the chaos, trying to outmaneuver the beast’s thrashing limbs, while Soria coordinated the sharpshooters from the rear.
At the heart of the battle, Billy stood face-to-face with the Shadow Lord. Their twin chaos blades pulsed with a dark, malevolent energy that seemed to drain the light from the battlefield.
“You think chaos is your weapon?” the Shadow Lord sneered, circling him like a predator. “It is a curse, child. And I will show you its true depth.”
Their blades collided again, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. Sparks of chaos energy exploded around them, tearing at the ground and scorching the air. Billy gritted his teeth, his glowing purple eyes locked onto his opponent.
“I’ve heard enough lectures from you Shadow Lords,” Billy spat, his chaos blade flaring brighter. “I’ll carve my path without your pity.”
The Shadow Lord lunged, their movements blurring as they struck with unnerving precision. Billy barely dodged, countering with a wide arc that forced his opponent to retreat. Around him, the whispers in his mind grew louder.
Use more power. End this now. They will kneel before you.
Billy hesitated, his grip tightening on his blade. The chaos energy within him surged, demanding release.
---
The Turning Tide
On the battlefield’s flanks, Aelric and Garron led separate squads, trying to weaken the warbeast.
“Hit the joints!” Aelric shouted, his voice hoarse. “Its armor is weakest there!”
Garron rolled his eyes but followed the command. His dagger glinted as he plunged it into the warbeast’s hind leg, finding a gap in the plating. The beast roared in pain, staggering slightly.
“See? I know what I’m doing,” Garron quipped, smirking at Aelric.
Aelric didn’t respond, too focused on signaling the archers to fire. The barrage of arrows and bolts struck the beast’s exposed joints, slowing its movements further.
But it wasn’t enough. The warbeast reared back, swiping at the attackers with terrifying force. Garron narrowly avoided being crushed, while several soldiers weren’t as lucky.
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“We need a miracle,” Soria muttered from her vantage point. Her rifle clicked empty, and she cursed under her breath.
---
The Chaos Within
Billy staggered back as the Shadow Lord unleashed a flurry of blows, their strength seemingly endless. The whispers in his mind reached a fever pitch.
Unleash us. Only we can give you victory.
Billy clenched his jaw, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. He couldn’t let the chaos consume him. Not here. Not now.
“You’re faltering,” the Shadow Lord said, their voice mocking. “What are you afraid of, Lord Knight? Losing control? Losing them?”
Billy growled, his chaos blade flaring brighter. “I’m not afraid of losing them. I’m afraid of losing myself.”
The Shadow Lord laughed, a sound devoid of warmth. “Then you’ve already lost.”
Their blades clashed again, but this time, Billy pushed harder. He let the chaos energy flow through him—not enough to overwhelm him, but enough to bolster his strength. He matched the Shadow Lord’s ferocity, their strikes meeting in a blinding display of power.
---
A Gamble for Victory
Near the warbeast, Garron watched as more soldiers fell. He cursed under his breath, frustration boiling over.
“This isn’t working!” he shouted to Aelric. “We need to hit it with something bigger.”
“And what do you suggest?” Aelric snapped, his usual composure fraying.
Garron’s eyes darted to a pile of explosives stored near the makeshift barricades. “We lure it there and blow it sky-high.”
Aelric stared at him. “That’s insane. It’ll kill half the people here.”
“It’s better than all of us dying,” Garron retorted. Without waiting for approval, he whistled sharply to his rogues.
“Draw it to the barricades!” he barked.
The rogues hesitated but obeyed, hurling daggers and taunts to lure the warbeast toward the explosives. It worked—the beast charged after them, its massive frame shaking the ground.
“Everyone, fall back!” Aelric shouted, rallying the soldiers.
---
A Clash of Wills
Back in the duel, Billy forced the Shadow Lord to the defensive. The chaos energy within him flared uncontrollably, his movements growing faster and more aggressive.
“You’re stronger than I expected,” the Shadow Lord admitted, a flicker of surprise in their eyes. “But strength alone won’t save you.”
They raised a hand, summoning a swirling mass of corrupted chaos energy. It shot toward Billy like a spear, but he deflected it with a powerful slash, sending the energy scattering across the battlefield.
Billy advanced, his blade glowing like a beacon. “Strength isn’t the only thing I have. I have my people. My purpose. And that’s more than you’ll ever understand.”
With a final surge of chaos energy, Billy drove his blade into the Shadow Lord’s chest. Their form flickered, dissolving into shadowy tendrils that dissipated into the air.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment, but the warbeast’s roar snapped Billy back to reality.
---
The Explosion
The warbeast reached the barricades just as Garron lit the fuse. He and the remaining rogues sprinted for cover, shouting warnings to the others.
The explosion rocked the battlefield, a deafening blast that sent debris and fire raining down. The warbeast roared one last time before collapsing, its massive frame crumpling under the force of the blast.
As the dust settled, the soldiers stared in stunned silence. The warbeast was dead, but the cost had been high.
Billy staggered toward the remains, his body trembling with exhaustion. Soria rushed to his side, her face a mix of relief and concern.
“It’s over,” she said softly.
“For now,” Billy replied, his voice heavy. He looked out at the battered soldiers and the smoldering ruins of the barricades. “But this is just the beginning.”
---
End of Chapter 50
