CHAPTER 49: THE THREE-PRONGED CURSE AND THE FANGS OF WAR
The land before Urug was no longer a plain.
It was a place ruled not by the living—but by the dead.
Blood had seeped into the veins of the soil. Broken shields, shattered spears, frozen screams… all merged into a single scene of devastation. The spot where Vlad had fallen was still warm. His blood had not yet dried.
But war did not mourn.
The Ice Kingdom army was advancing.
Armored infantry moved shoulder to shoulder, ice-forged shields locked tight as they attempted to break the defensive line. Behind them, ice mages raised their hands to the sky, freezing the moisture in the air into deadly projectiles. With every explosion, another Nexan soldier fell.
"KEEP FORMATION!"
"REAR UNITS, FALL BACK!"
The shouts of Nexan commanders were swallowed by the clash of metal.
⸻
MORDE ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Morde was walking through the heart of the battlefield.
Walking.
He wasn't running. He wasn't hiding. He wasn't defending.
Wherever he passed, shadows stretched outward, and enemy soldiers collapsed to the ground. Some clutched their throats. Others fell without even understanding what had happened. The shadows obeyed without question.
Ailian followed a few steps behind him. His spring-like blade appeared first on the right, then on the left—piercing even soldiers hiding behind shields. Every strike was lethal. No wasted movement.
"That's… that's not human!"
"THE SHADOW! THE SHADOW IS COMING!"
Panic spread.
But Nexan had not yet collapsed.
⸻
ARMIES COLLIDE
Kai had descended to the front lines. He carried no sword. He didn't need one. With bare hands alone, he sent enemies flying. Each punch shattered the air. Each kick hurled a soldier several meters back.
But his face was dark.
The moment Vlad fell was burned into his mind.
"Kai!" Amper shouted.
"The left flank is breaking!"
Kai lifted his head. What he saw was chaos.
Ice Kingdom cavalry, gaining speed over the frozen ground, were splitting Nexan's left wing apart. Spears pierced shields. A full unit was on the verge of annihilation.
Kai clenched his teeth.
"HOLD THE LINE!"
In a single leap, he landed among the cavalry. When his fist struck the ground, the frozen terrain cracked. Three horses and their riders were thrown into the air. But there were too many. Far too many.
And then—
The scent of the sea arrived.
⸻
POSEIDON'S SPEAR
For a brief moment, the battlefield fell silent.
Everyone turned toward the same direction.
Po was walking forward.
But this time, the weapon in his hand was no ordinary spear.
It had three prongs.
The central blade glowed with a deep blue light. The two side blades curved like waves, as if they were not metal at all—as if the sea itself had taken form.
The ground beneath Po's steps grew wet.
There was no water.
But it behaved as if there were.
Ice Kingdom soldiers hesitated.
"What is that?"
"Is it magic?"
From the walls, King Swain's eyes widened.
"Poseidon's…" he murmured.
"So it truly has awakened."
Kai looked at Po.
For the first time… he felt something.
This power was not like Vlad's.
There was no blood. No rage.
This was… depth.
⸻
THE SEA DESCENDS UPON THE BATTLEFIELD
Po struck the ground with his spear.
Silence.
Then—
THE EARTH SPLIT OPEN.
The ground cracked, and water burst forth. But it was no ordinary water. It smelled of salt. It was cold. It carried weight. It rose like a tidal wave and swept through the Ice Kingdom's front lines.
Soldiers were flung away. Shields shattered. Ice armor cracked apart.
"RETREAT!"
"WHAT KIND OF CURSE IS THIS?!"
Po swung his spear.
All three prongs glowed at once.
The central blade unleashed a straight, slicing surge of water. The two side blades twisted like living waves, catching soldiers who tried to flee. It was as if the sea itself was choosing its prey.
But Po did not advance.
Not yet.
⸻
MORDE AND PO – FIRST CONTACT
Morde had seen everything.
The shadows slowed.
Ailian stopped.
This was not an ordinary power.
Morde looked at Po. For the first time, his gaze was serious.
"The three-pronged spear…" he said calmly, cautiously.
"So the legends weren't lies."
Po rested the spear on his shoulder.
"You look like a legend too," he replied.
"They usually end badly."
Morde smiled faintly.
"I'll deal with you later."
Po's eyes hardened.
"No."
The spear's tip touched the ground.
"I'm here."
For the first time, the two powers stood at the same point.
The shadows stirred.
The water trembled.
From afar, King Task shouted:
"MORDE! THE FRONT IS OPEN! PUSH FORWARD!"
Morde did not take his eyes off Po.
"Later," he said.
"When this war is over."
Po answered:
"No."
He stepped forward.
"This war… continues with us."
⸻
THE STORM WAITS
The sky darkened.
The wind changed direction.
The battle still raged, but everyone knew—
the true clash had yet to begin.
Morde and Po…
Shadow and Sea…
Will and Ancient Power…
They would collide in the next chapter.
To be continued: CHAPTER 50 – THE CLASH OF SEA AND SHADOW