Apocalypse King: The Return of Lucian-Chapter 40: Shadows of Betrayal

Chapter 40: Shadows of Betrayal

The world around Lucian twisted, shadows stretching and warping as Selene's power dragged him into a waking nightmare. His breath came in short, controlled bursts as he fought against the suffocating illusions. The whispers grew louder—taunting voices of the dead, of those he had killed, of those who had betrayed him.

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"You're nothing, Lucian."

"A monster pretending to be a king."

"They will all leave you in the end."

Lucian clenched his fists, his crimson eyes burning through the mirage. "Nice trick, Selene." His voice was steady, unaffected. "But I don't break."

Selene smirked, stepping forward as the hallucinations intensified. "Everyone has a limit. Let's see where yours lies."

The air around him crackled with unseen energy as the visions became more vivid. He saw Dorian standing above him, a smug grin on his face. Vera, bloodied, laughing in the distance. Evelyn turning her back on him. His once-loyal friend, now a titan of power, watching in silent judgment.

Lucian's lips curled into a smirk. "Cute. But you made a mistake, Selene."

Selene's eyes narrowed. "And what's that?"

BANG!

A gunshot shattered the illusion like broken glass. The world snapped back into focus, the oppressive force of Selene's mind games disappearing as Lucian stood firm, gun aimed directly at her. Blood trickled from her shoulder where the bullet had grazed her.

She staggered back, eyes wide. "You—"

"Illusions only work if I let them," Lucian said coldly, stepping toward her. "But you forgot—I don't doubt myself. I don't fear my past." His smirk widened. "And I sure as hell don't fall for parlor tricks."

Selene gritted her teeth, raising her hand to cast another spell, but Lucian was already moving.

CRACK!

His fist slammed into her gut, sending her crashing into the rubble. The once-confident sorceress gasped for breath, her illusionary magic flickering weakly around her.

Lucian crouched down, tilting his head. "Dorian sent you to test me, didn't he?"

Selene coughed, but her violet eyes still burned with defiance. "He doesn't need to test you. He knows you're dangerous."

Lucian chuckled darkly. "Then he's smarter than I thought."

Before Selene could respond, a voice echoed from the shadows.

"That's enough."

Lucian turned, his smirk never faltering as Dorian stepped into the light.

Dorian's presence was overwhelming, his towering figure radiating raw power. His eyes—cold, calculating—locked onto Lucian with a mixture of amusement and warning.

"You're getting reckless," Dorian said, his voice smooth but firm. "That's going to get you killed."

Lucian wiped the blood from his knuckles, grinning. "Funny. I was about to say the same to you."

The tension between them crackled like lightning, the battlefield growing silent as the inevitable clash drew closer.

To be continued...