The darkness in the ruins of Sparda was no ordinary darkness; it pulsed with life, as if the walls themselves were breathing, the air burned with intense energy, and the shattered sky above the ruins shimmered with contrasting red and gold, as if the universe itself held its breath, awaiting what was to come.
On the ground, Saroto and Lucian stood face to face with two formidable adversaries: the King of Light, Seraphel, with his aura of white that shimmered like the sun, and the Queen of Hell, Morgana, with her crimson eyes like embers in the depths of night.
The gazes of the two kings were unwavering, bearing the pride of power, while Saroto and Lucian's eyes burned with an unyielding resolve. Saroto's voice came first, firm and sharp: "If you intend to defend these rituals, then be prepared to pay the price for what you do."
Morgana laughed, and the shadows around her began to stir as if they were living beings, while Seraphel raised his hand and opened his palm, and circles of pure, celestial light spread around him. Morgana said, "You don't know what you're challenging, Luwin's heirs. You're playing with fire. Do you think you can defeat us?"
Saruto said, "We will crush you beneath our feet."
The place exploded with a tremendous energy that made the palace walls tremble.
Saruto charged first, his black hair gradually turning completely white, his eyes widening with a dark purple light that spoke of the power he had attained. He had activated the third level of Shadow Ascension, and with it, the second level of armor.
He charged straight toward Seraphel, and their swords met in an explosion of light. The sound of the impact alone nearly tore the air apart. Serafil: "Is that all you've got, Heir of Luin?"
Saruto: "You haven't seen anything yet."
At that moment, Lucian had already turned in the opposite direction, facing Morgana. His spear gleamed a deep blue, but the Emperor's aura was so intense it frightened even the flames themselves. The Emperor's Awakening skill had done its work.
He slashed the air with his spear, and a vortex of energy rose from beneath him, transforming the ground into a field of icy blast and scorching heat. With each strike, Morgana took a step back, her body draped in wings of black fire as she cried out, "How dare you forbid the family tradition, Gran!"
Lucian chuckled lightly despite the intensity of the battle. "So you suggest we watch while you sacrifice one of your daughters?"
He spun his spear a full circle, then thrust it into her. But Morgana deflected the attack with a blazing red blade, and a fiery explosion erupted between them.
On the other side, the fight between Saruto and Seraphel was escalating to a terrifying degree. With each clash, the ground seemed to crack beneath them, and the sky flashed as if screaming at their power. Seraphel unleashed dozens of spears of light, and Saruto would vanish and reappear among them like a phantom, striking at unexpected angles, then relentlessly attacking again. Seraphel: "How long do you think you can hold out, Yurith Luin?!"
Saruto: "Don't be hasty. We're only just getting started!"
He charged forward, a double strike, their swords clashing in a vortex of energy that shattered the light like glass.
At that moment, Lucian roared from the other side, unleashing a barrage of blows, each one creating an explosion of icy wind. His spear traced lines of energy in overlapping circles, all converging towards Morgana, who was already beginning to back away, her aura undulating, her eyes wide with rage. Morgana: "How... a child of the Ice Family would press against me like this?!"
Lucian (with a calm smile): "Simply... because I am stronger than you."
Then he charged again, this time with a speed she couldn't keep up with,
slashing his spear against her left wing, scattering sparks and burning blood.
Morgana screamed, her flames rising to the palace ceiling. On the other side, Seraphel raised his sword to the sky, a terrifying light gathering above him.
Saruto and Lucian realized what was happening. The two kings were unleashing their full power, and they exchanged a single glance. There were no words, only a silent determination to fight to the end.
Then, in a low but solemn voice, Saruto said, "Lucian, are you ready?"
Lucian: "Yes, let's crush them!"
And the two unleashed their power simultaneously. The sky split in two. The battle... was beginning to transform into an epic catastrophe.