Before the Emperor could fully gather his forces, flames were already rising beyond the capital.
Villages on the outskirts burned one after another making the sky covered with smoke and ash. By the time Ji woo's army reached Yunhai, the palace gates had been sealed shut__iron bars locked tight, soldiers lining the walls with weapons drawn with fear written plainly in their eyes.
They had all heard of Ji Woo. They all knew what stood before them. Ji Woo was the greatest evil mankind had ever known.
High above the palace, she circled on her dragon. It's massive wings beat against the air, casting shifting shadows across the walls below. Each sweep of its wings sent tremors through the city.
Soldiers swallowed hard, tightening their grip on spears as the dragon's roar rolled over Yunhai, crushing courage and planting terror deep in their hearts.
Ji Woo lifted her hand in command and the dragon obeyed.
Fire poured from its mouth in a violent torrent, slamming into the palace gates. Flames crawled up stone and iron alike, devouring everything in their path. The gates finally shattered, collapsing inward with a thunderous crash.
And with that, the way was opened.
Witches and vampires surged through the broken entrance, flooding into the palace grounds. Heat and smoke rushed into the courtyard and screams following close behind.
Before the smoke could fully clear, the dragon descended, landing inside the palace with a force that cracked the stone beneath its claws.
Ji Woo stepped down calmly, not sparing a single glance at the slaughter unfolding behind her__ as if it had nothing to do with her at all. She walked forward, unhurried and composed.
Around her, the armies of Yunhai clashed violently with her forces. The sound of steel clashing again steel could be heard miles away.
At the entrance to the throne room, a line of soldiers blocked her path. Their hands trembled around their weapons. Ji Woo raised her hand and an invisible force struck them.
Their bodies were hurled aside, crashing into pillars and stone floors with sickening force. In moments, the path before her lay bare.
"Ji Woo…" the Emperor whispered.
Cold fear crawled up his spine. He had heard of the prophecy of the Dark Hours, but never imagined he would live to witness it. He felt fear but refused to show it. His face remained firm with courage.
He has heard how cities were erased, and lands drowned in blood. Her presence here could only mean ruin.
Rong Yuan and Xian Rong stood beside the emperor holding onto their weapons.
"You have no right to be here," the emperor said, forcing himself forward despite the tremor in his voice.
That only makes her laughed aloud. The sound echoed through the vast hall__low, mocking and merciless.
"Right?" she replied. "If I cared about such things, I wouldn't be standing here."
Her gaze swept lazily across the throne room before settling back on him.
"I won't waste my time," she said calmly. "Hand over the gifted child… and I will leave."
Silence fell over the hall. Rong Yuan and Xian Rong exchange knowing glances.
"The moment I heard you've arrived at Yunhai with your armies, I knew you've surely seen someone that could threaten you in Yunhai. Your faith in yourself is so weak." Rong Yuan cursed, furrowing his brow.
Ji woo frowned.
"I know the gifted child is here. Hand her over if you don't want your heads rolling on the floor." She threatened.
"I have no child to hand over to you, Ji Woo," the Emperor said firmly. Ji Woo's lips curved into a cruel smile.
"Then watch your kingdom burn in nothing," she said angrily. "Starting with your soldiers."
With that, she lifted her hand.
The air shifted at once. Dark clouds rolled in, covering the sky as thunder cracked above. The palace shook, and a dark flame burst to life in her palm.
"You witch!" Xian Rong cursed, hatred clearly visible in his gaze. But Ji woo smirked and recited an incantation. The flame on her hand grew rose higher and darker.
Rong Yuan and Xian Rong flinched, readying their selves for whatever might come.
Ji woo laughter rang out, cold and merciless. It was like she enjoyed seeing the fear in them.
Before she could strike....
Six horses bursted through the smoke, charging straight into the chaos. Most attention were turned to the entrance to witness the new presence in the war.
Yuyan rode in a white horse, gripping her reins tightly with one hand and a sword in her second hand. Leng Yue was close beside her, his blade already drawn. Wu Zhen followed after them while Yu Wing and Yun Qing protected them from behind, cutting down any of Ji woo's army who got too close.
Leading them was Tian Yu.
He rode straight through the flames without slowing down, his expression was cold and focused, as if the battle ahead was already decided. In his hand was the Night Blade, glowing with restrained powers.
Their presence sent an awareness around the whole palace.
Ji Woo's raised hand froze midair. Her eyes locked onto the weapon on Tian Yu's hand.
"How…" she whispered, disbelief flickering across her face. "How is this possible?"
Snarling, she shifted her focus, power surging as she turned to strike them instead.
Yuyan stepped forward. With a sharp and controlled motion, she released her magic. Two massive currents of wind collided in midair, slamming into Ji Woo's attack and tearing it apart before it could reach them.
"You and Uncle Wu should check on the emperor. I and Leng Yue can handle this witch." Yuyan said and Tian Yu nodded and ran off with Wu Zhen.
"Yun Qing, you and Yu Wing should stall the dragon from causing more chaos." Yuyan commanded and Yun Qing and Yu Wing nodded before running off towards where the dragon was.
Ji woo ignored them all focusing all her attention on Yuyan. She kept releasing her dark attacks yet, each strike Ji Woo unleashed was met and stopped by Yuyan. Ji Woo stepped forward at last, a slow, amused smirk curling her lips.
"My little princess," she said mockingly. "You've grown bold. You weren't this fearless in your past life."
"I still remember how you wept for that helpless little vampire prince," she continued mockingly. "Tell me__aren't you afraid history will repeat itself?"
Yuyan didn't flinch.
Her grip tightened on her sword, her voice steady and clear.
"Ji Woo," she said with a smirk, "do you know why witches like you are called the dark witches? It's not only because of your dark ways. It's also because you'll always end up in enternal darkness. And It's clear now that your time has come."
For a moment, Ji Woo stared at her__then burst out laughed.
The sound rang sharp and delighted.
"What a speech? How confident," she said. Her gaze drifted downward, narrowing slightly. "Hm… you look different."
Realization flickered across her face.
"Well, well," she murmured. "You're pregnant." Her smile widen