Kingdom of Yabla Vol.1: Aric Valen's Journey

Chapter 15: The Final Confrontation

The air in the stronghold crackled with energy, the tension between Aric, Alistair, and Tavar palpable. The magic of the Obsidian Crown pulsed against Aric's temples, urging him to act, to unleash its power. His grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger as he faced the dark sorcerer, whose form flickered between shadow and substance.

For a brief moment, everything stood still. The magic swirling through the chamber held its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.

"Your time is over, Tavar," Aric said, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at the edges of his resolve. "You won't control me. You won't take the crown."

Tavar's glowing eyes narrowed, his shadowy form coiling like a serpent ready to strike. "You still don't understand, boy. The crown chose me centuries before you were born. It's mine by right, and you're nothing more than a temporary vessel."

Aric swallowed hard, forcing himself to hold Tavar's gaze. The whispers of the crown had returned, soft but persistent, like a constant hum in the back of his mind. It promised power, strength—everything he needed to defeat Tavar. But Aric knew better than to give in completely. If he let the crown take control, he'd be no better than the dark sorcerer standing before him.

Alistair stepped forward, placing a hand on Aric's shoulder. His presence was grounding, a reminder that they were in this together. "Remember what you've learned," Alistair said quietly. "The crown is only as powerful as the will that wields it."

Aric nodded, drawing strength from Alistair's words. He wasn't alone. And he wasn't Tavar.

The moment of stillness shattered as Tavar raised his hand, dark magic crackling at his fingertips. The air around him warped, the shadows twisting and swirling as he prepared to strike. "You've meddled in my plans for the last time, Seeker!" Tavar hissed, his voice cold and venomous. "You should have stayed dead."

A wave of dark energy surged from Tavar's hand, hurtling toward them like a storm. Aric barely had time to react. Instinctively, he raised his hand, calling upon the crown's magic. A barrier of light flared to life between them, blocking the dark magic just before it reached them.

The force of the blast sent Aric stumbling back, but he managed to stay on his feet. His heart raced, the crown's magic coursing through him like fire. The whispers in his mind grew louder, urging him to unleash more power, to strike back. But he held back, keeping control.

Tavar's eyes widened slightly as the barrier dissipated. "So, you've learned a few tricks," he muttered, his voice filled with disdain. "But you're still nothing compared to me."

Aric clenched his jaw, his eyes locked on the sorcerer. "I'm not trying to be like you," he said firmly. "That's what makes me stronger."

With a roar of fury, Tavar lashed out again, this time with a torrent of dark magic that filled the chamber with a suffocating weight. The air crackled with energy, and the ground beneath them trembled. Aric could feel the crown responding, its power flaring in time with Tavar's attacks, but he refused to let it overwhelm him.

Alistair moved swiftly, drawing his dagger as he circled around Tavar, looking for an opening. "We need to distract him!" he shouted over the roar of magic. "He's too powerful head-on!"

Aric nodded, his mind racing as he focused on controlling the crown's magic. He had to be smart about this. Tavar was stronger, more experienced, but Aric had something the sorcerer didn't—a connection to the crown that wasn't fueled by greed and corruption.

With a surge of determination, Aric tapped into the crown's power, sending a blast of light toward Tavar. The sorcerer sneered, raising his hand to block it, but the force of the attack staggered him. For the first time, Tavar looked less certain, his eyes narrowing as he studied Aric.