Chapter 109: The Real Queen’s Ascent
Melissa’s POV
With the golden light still flashing in the air after my last stroke, there was a brief silence on the battlefield.
Then, the silence was broken by a howl of rage.
Darius stood, his red eyes glimmering with unbridled anger, his body blazing. The darkness curled around his shape like living shadows, and his robe billowed behind him.
“You ungrateful little-” His voice was fuming as he clenched his fists. “You dare defy me?”
Even though my breath was still erratic, I straightened up, and my strength remained constant. I felt liberated for the first time.
I responded firmly, “Darius, I was never yours to control.” “And I will never be.”
A snarl formed on his lips. The shadows surged about him as he raised his hand. “Death her,” he commanded.
Suddenly, like a wave of black smoke, his followers-dark warriors shrouded in shadow-came toward me.
With their swords drawn and got ready for battle, Zephyr, Lydia, and Kane charged forward.
However, I didn’t require saving this time.
I stood up for myself this time.
I raised my palms as the first wave of enemies charged.
The golden light that I had long feared burst forth from within me.
The warriors’ shadows turned to dust as the golden energy ripped through them, causing them to scream.
Darius’s eyes became wide with surprise. “It’s impossible-”
With raw power radiating from my body, I turned to face him. I remarked, “You attempted to hide my actual strength beneath your darkness.” “But you didn’t succeed.”
Darius growled, slashing out with a dark tendril. It came like a whip toward me, but this time-
I didn’t run.
I didn’t wince.
I managed to catch it.
My palm sizzled and dissolved into nothing as soon as it touched the blackness.
With a pale face, Darius stumbled back.
I took a step forward. “I am no longer under your control.”
Then I let everything loose.
The battlefield was engulfed by a golden wave that broke the bindings that had held me for so long.
Darius’s strength disintegrated around me, and he roared in frustration.
Additionally, for the first time-
His eyes were filled with apprehension.
Zephyr, Lydia, and Kane battled tooth and nail behind me.
Kane engaged a shadow warrior in swordplay; his blows were accurate and lethal. “Melissa!” he announced. “We’ve got you covered!”
Lydia covered my flank quickly, her light magic blazing through the night. “The real queen was always supposed to be you!”
With his twin blades, Zephyr sliced through the remaining fighters, his golden gaze piercing. “Come to an end, Melissa!”
With my power surging about me, I stood tall.
I had thought I was alone for so long.
That I was on my own in this war.
However, I wasn’t by myself.
I had never been.
For the last time, I looked at Darius. “Today is the last day of your reign.”
He scoffed, but his breathing had become laboured. His shadows were less intense. His strength was no longer boundless.
He was losing.
He was aware of it.
Darius clutched his side as he stumbled back. His darkness was beginning to dissolve, and golden fractures had appeared along his torso.
However, then-
He smiled.
It was a slow, icy smile that made my skin crawl.
With blood streaming from his lips, he murmured, “You think this is over?”
My stomach turned over.
There was a problem.
After flickering, Darius’s body disappeared into the darkness.
Silence descended across the battlefield.
With my power still scorching all around me, I took a trembling breath.
Had I prevailed?
Or was this only the beginning?