The Deadly Charm

Part 65 : The Final War in Shadows

When light meets the heart of darkness-only one will remain.

From the depths of darkness, the Khmer sorcerer Yong San emerged-no longer just a man, but a living embodiment of shadow itself. His every step was silent, yet carried an oppressive force that chilled the very air around him. The forest, once still, seemed to recoil as he approached.

His face, partially obscured by the shadow of his cloak, revealed skin darkened by years of communion with black magic. His eyes, pitch black and abyssal, gave away nothing-no light, no soul-only an endless void. A place where despair was born and hope was devoured.

Above his head, a swirling mass of darkness hovered, home to countless tormented spirits, waiting for a command to be unleashed.

"You're slower than I expected," Yong San said coldly, glancing at Kritin and his allies with disdain.

His smile was nothing short of terrifying-a ghost of a grin, laced with arrogance and sadistic satisfaction. Raising his hand slightly, as if in mock greeting, he radiated power with ease.

"I wield forces beyond your comprehension," he declared in a quiet but venomous tone.
"Did you think you could destroy me?"

Kritin stood his ground, eyes locked onto the sorcerer whose presence swallowed the light around him. The pressure was suffocating, but Kritin knew-this was no ordinary opponent. This was the battle he had prepared his soul for.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, howling like the forest itself was in pain. Spirits burst forth from the earth like demons unchained, encircling Kritin's group in endless numbers.

Sora spread his vast black wings wide, radiant with protective light that shielded Kritin and Aria. He struck back against the spirits, each beat of his wings dispelling the wraiths-but they kept coming, relentless and many.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, the sky mourning the war that was to come. Ash and spirit dust swirled in the air as Kritin's sacred blade ignited with divine light. His eyes never left Yong San, who stood at the center of it all like a god of ruin.

Aria stood further behind, arms folded, crimson eyes gleaming with a sadistic curiosity. She made no move to help-not yet. She was watching, judging, testing Kritin to see if he truly had the power to protect Akira.

Yong San laughed, the sound echoing through the cursed wood.

"You think this little display can defeat me?" he scoffed, raising his hand.

A spiral of thick, dark energy erupted around him. Shadows formed into monstrous shapes-spirits twisted into forms of nightmares, surrounding Kritin and Sora.

"You won't know unless you try," Kritin replied, voice steady, sword held tight.

"I'll show you what real strength looks like."

With a snap of Yong San's fingers, dark energy shot forth like lightning. The spirits rushed in. Sora's wings blocked the brunt of the attack, but the force pushed him back several steps. Though many spirits fell, Yong San kept summoning more.

Then-an earthquake of shadow.

A massive titan forged from darkness surged forth, its roar rattling the forest. Kritin's blade met its form, but the strike bounced off-the creature was too dense, too fortified.

He dodged its swipes, but not fast enough. A crushing blow landed on him, slamming him into the ground.

THUD!!

Blood splattered from his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he coughed, blood dribbling from his lips.

"You're not even worth the fight," Yong San sneered.
"You're just another fool."

Sora, furious, shot forward. His wings glowed with divine power as he slammed into the titan spirit, tearing at it with furious might.

"Oi! We're not done yet!" he shouted back at Kritin.

Despite the pain, Kritin pushed himself up. He pulled a sacred talisman from his pouch and slapped it against his wound. Light surged through him-his healing was near-instantaneous.

He stood.

Bruised. Bloodied.
Unbroken.

"Sora!" he called.

Sora nodded. The light between them surged. Kritin's blade ignited even brighter as their combined strength awakened its true potential.

Their fused energy distorted the air. Even Yong San narrowed his eyes.

Kritin lunged again, his holy blade now unstoppable. Sora shielded him from the rear, deflecting the assault of countless spirits.

"This is your end, Yong San!!" Kritin roared as his blade crashed through the center of the sorcerer's chest.

A burst of divine light exploded-pure, blinding, unforgiving.

Yong San screamed, writhing in agony as his darkness burned away. Shadows peeled from his body like rotting skin, and he collapsed to the earth, blood spraying through the air.

The once-mighty sorcerer was reduced to a husk-broken, defeated, powerless.

Kritin stood over him, breath ragged, body battered-but unbowed.

From afar, Aria watched with a small laugh. Her crimson eyes shone like fire.

"Stronger than I thought," she whispered.

"Maybe... he really can protect her after all."

As silence fell, the wind swept gently through the forest, carrying away the remnants of corruption. The cursed darkness that once ruled this place had vanished.

And in the heart of it, Kritin remained-scarred, but victorious.

✨ Next Chapter: "Ashes and Oaths"
Victory demands a price. But is the war truly over?