Journey of the Flameborn Prince : Chapter Three : The Fall of the Sun King

As Zarek Flameborn and Veznan clashed, their first strike unleashed a cataclysmic shockwave that obliterated the surrounding buildings. Dark energy and sunlight collided, tearing through the plaza and lighting up the night sky.

Kael watched in awe, knowing he had to act quickly. As the battle raged on, he charged forward, ready to aid his father and defend his kingdom.

Kael’s advance was cut short by the overwhelming force of a shockwave from the battle. The sheer magnitude of energy hurled him backward, slamming him into the wall of a nearby house. He groaned, clutching his ribs as he staggered to his feet. His gaze shifted toward the battlefield, where the East Gate lay in ruins. Flames and shadows danced violently in the chaos, with Zarek and Veznan at the center, locked in an apocalyptic duel.

Zarek stood tall, his golden armor battered but unbroken. The Sun Ambassador in his grip shone with the intensity of a thousand suns, its flames carving through the darkness. “You dare threaten my kingdom?” he roared, his voice carrying through the city. “I’ll show you the might of the Flameborn!”

Veznan, the strongest demon general, laughed darkly, his massive frame exuding an aura of unyielding power. His blackened armor seemed alive, pulsating with tendrils of dark energy. In his hands were two jagged greatswords, each oozing with corrosive magic. “Your strength is impressive, Zarek,” Veznan mocked. “But it is futile. Your kingdom will fall, just as you will.”

Zarek launched forward, his blade ablaze. “Blazing Tempest!” he bellowed, swinging the Sun Ambassador in a wide arc. A torrent of searing flames erupted, engulfing the entire battlefield. The heat was so intense that even the air shimmered, and the cobblestone beneath Veznan melted into molten rock.

Veznan raised one of his swords, the weapon devouring the flames like a bottomless void. He retaliated with a devastating horizontal slash. “Abyssal Rend!” Dark energy surged forth, splitting the molten ground and tearing through Zarek’s attack.

The two warriors exchanged blows with unrelenting ferocity. Each of Zarek’s attacks was a masterpiece of precision and power—moves honed over decades of battle.

“Solar Barrage!” Zarek called out, unleashing a flurry of flaming strikes that rained down like meteors. Veznan met them head-on, his twin swords carving through the inferno with ease.

“Is this the extent of your power, Flameborn?” Veznan taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. He slammed his foot into the ground, releasing a shockwave of dark energy. “Black Nova!” The explosion sent Zarek skidding back, his boots carving trenches into the ground.

Kael, watching from a distance, clenched his fists. He had never seen his father pushed to such limits. Zarek’s breathing was labored, sweat dripping from his brow, but his resolve never faltered.

“Your arrogance will be your downfall, Veznan,” Zarek growled. He raised the Sun Ambassador high, the blade glowing brighter than ever. “Eclipse of Hell!” With a mighty swing, he unleashed a colossal crescent of solar energy, a golden arc that cleaved through the battlefield.

The attack struck Veznan head-on, consuming him in an inferno of flames. The ground trembled, and the skies seemed to split from the sheer force. For a moment, hope flickered in Kael’s heart.

But as the smoke cleared, Veznan emerged unscathed. His armor was slightly singed, but his expression was one of amusement. “Impressive,” he said, stepping forward. “But not enough.”

With terrifying speed, Veznan closed the distance. He slammed Zarek with a brutal strike, sending the king crashing into the rubble of a collapsed tower. Zarek struggled to rise, blood staining his golden armor.

Kael’s rage boiled over. “No!” he screamed, taking a step toward the battlefield. His flames flickered to life, his hands trembling with power. “I won’t let you—”

“Forgive me, Prince,” came a calm, steady voice from behind. Kael barely had time to react before a palm struck the back

Kael’s body crumpled to the ground as the blow from Darius struck true. The Sword Saint, a figure of unmatched skill and unshakable loyalty, caught the young prince before he hit the rubble. His expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed sorrow. Darius was not merely a warrior; he was the heir to a bloodline that had served the Flameborn dynasty for centuries. Through countless generations, his family had stood as protectors of the royal line, bound by duty and honor. This moment, harsh as it was, was no exception.

"You’ll thank me one day, Prince," Darius murmured, his voice heavy with regret. Without hesitation, he turned toward the battlefield, where Zarek and Veznan continued their earth-shattering duel.

Zarek, battered and bloodied, rose to his feet once again, his golden armor dented and scorched. The Sun Ambassador flickered weakly in his grip, but his spirit remained unbroken. "You’ll never take this kingdom," he growled, his voice defiant despite his injuries.

Veznan stood tall and unscathed, his dark aura twisting around him like living shadows. His smirk widened as he stepped forward. "This isn’t about taking," he sneered. "It’s about erasing. Your kingdom, your legacy, your very existence—all will burn in the name of the Demon Lord Bron." He paused, his tone deepening. "He has united us, Flameborn. The fractured clans of demons now stand as one. And under his rule, we will sweep this world clean."

Zarek gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the Sun Ambassador. "I’ll die before I let that happen," he roared, lunging forward with all his remaining strength. His blade ignited once more, blazing with the last reserves of his power.

"Radiant Sundering!" Zarek shouted, bringing the Sun Ambassador down in a devastating arc. The golden flames roared to life, carving through the battlefield with blinding intensity.

Veznan met the attack head-on, crossing his twin blades. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, shattering what little remained of the East Gate and hurling debris into the air. Darkness and light clashed violently, filling the sky with chaotic energy.

But when the light faded, Veznan still stood, his armor glowing faintly from the heat but otherwise unscathed. "Is that all you’ve got?" he mocked, stepping forward.

Zarek stumbled, his breathing ragged. His vision blurred as his strength waned, but he forced himself to remain standing. He raised his blade once more, preparing for another strike.

Veznan’s form blurred as he closed the distance in an instant. With a brutal strike, he sent Zarek crashing into the ground, the Sun Ambassador flying from his grip. Blood pooled beneath the fallen king, yet he still tried to rise.

As Zerek was breathing his last breaths, Darius hoisted the prince over his shoulder and cast a glance at the fallen Sun Ambassador. The blade’s glow had dimmed, but its power remained. He summoned a gust of wind magic, pulling the sword to him. Tucking it securely under his arm, he turned to retreat.

Veznan’s voice boomed across the battlefield. "Bring them to me!" he ordered, his dark energy surging. Demonic forces surged forward, aiming to intercept Darius.

The Sword Saint barked a command to the remaining royal knights. "Hold them off! Stall for as long as you can!"

The knights, their faces grim but determined, formed a defensive line. They knew they were outmatched, but their duty was clear. As they engaged the oncoming demons, Darius vanished into the shadows of the forest, carrying Kael and the Sun Ambassador to safety.

Veznan watched them go, his eyes narrowing. "Run while you can," he muttered. "It won’t matter. This kingdom is mine."