I Ascend Alone-Chapter 148: Umbraezer vs. Vorathos Part III

Vorathos parried one, shadow-stepped past two, and slashed forward with another Abyssal Strike, cutting through a serpent-like tendril.

The two of them moved like monsters—powerful, precise, relentless.

Flames clashed with shadow.

Strike after strike.

Boom after boom.

The air shook with each hit.

From where I stood, the battlefield looked like it was breaking apart.

Leon leaned over. "Uh... are they trying to break this our private chamber!?"

"It appears that way." She responded immediately.

-

Their speed kept rising.

Blades. Flames. Shadows.

Umbraezar's phantom limbs lashed out like wild beasts, striking from every angle, the floor cracking under the pressure.

Vorathos's Abyssal Strikes were faster, heavier. Each one cut deeper, closer to the core. His eyes glowed with void energy, his blade a blur.

Then both of tthem stopped for a split second, and breath caught in the air.

And a moment later, their auras surged into its maximum capacity.

Umbraezar's flames exploded outward, turning dark blue, then pitch black. His phantom limbs twisted into a massive maw behind him, its jaws glowing with unstable fire.

Vorathos gripped his blade with both hands. Shadows spiraled around him, forming a spiral dome of condensed power.

I knew those techniques.

Umbraezar's "Eclipse Maw."

Vorathos's "Abyss Sever."

Both were kill moves.

Leon took a step back. "Oh crap."

Mirae's face was pale. "They're going to—!"

I moved. One instant, I was standing still. The next, I was between them.

Right before their attacks launched, my hands slammed out.

A pulse of raw Monarchal Authority burst from my core, shaking the whole chamber.

The dark flames froze mid-bite.

The shadow dome cracked like glass, and shattered into dust.

Both of them staggered back.

I glared at them. "Enough."

Umbraezar's phantom limbs broke apart into black mist. Vorathos's blade dimmed, and the void swirling around him faded into nothing.

I stood between them, hand still raised, power still humming in the silence.

Umbraezar let out a long breath. The grin faded from his face. "We got carried away..."

Vorathos lowered his eyes. "That was not my intention, My Liege."

Then, without a word between them, both dropped to one knee.

Heads bowed.

"We apologize," they said in unison.

Umbraezar's voice was lower now. "I didn't realize how far I was pushing until I couldn't stop. He brought out instincts I haven't felt in centuries."

Vorathos nodded, still kneeling. "His strength called to mine. I couldn't hold back. It felt like... we had to go all out."

I looked at them both. "You almost tore the place apart."

Then Umbraezar looked up slightly. "If punishment is due, I'll accept it, My Liege."

Vorathos didn't speak, but the way he stayed still—steady and sincere—said the same.

Leon blinked behind me. "...Okay. I didn't expect that."

Mirae crossed her arms, expression softening just a bit. "My, my.."

I let a long breath out.

"Get up," I finally said.

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They did, slowly, heads still lowered in respect.

"I'm not mad," I added. "But next time you feel like going all out, let me know first."

A faint smile touched Umbraezar's lips. "Understood, My Liege."

Vorathos gave a short nod. "It won't happen again without permission, Master."

But the damage was clear—cracks split across the floor and walls, the reinforced ceiling slightly warped from the sheer force of their last clash.

I glanced around. "Looks like we'll need to rebuild this room... again."

Leon rubbed the back of his neck. "Pretty sure the repair budget just cried."

Mirae smirked faintly. "Worth it."

Umbraezar stepped back, the last of the smoke fading from his armor. "Thank you for stopping us, My Liege. I don't think either of us realized how far we were slipping."

Vorathos sheathed his blade with a quiet click. "He was right. The moment demanded everything. I... let it happen."

"You both did," I said. "But I understand. Instinct takes over when real power clashes."

They nodded. Still quiet. Still respectful.

I turned and started walking toward the chamber doors. "Come on. Let's cool off."

The others followed without question.

As we exited the chamber, the hallway lights flickered slightly from the aftershock of power that had just been unleashed.

Leon walked beside me, still eyeing Umbraezar and Vorathos like they were live bombs. "Next time, can you, like, give us a warning? Maybe a flare? Or a loud alarm?"

"I'll consider it," I said.

Mirae gave him a look. "Or maybe just learn to sense danger better."

"I can sense danger!" he shot back. "That's why I stayed way behind!"

I shook my head with a small laugh.

We walked a little further down the hallway, the echoes of our steps the only sound.

Then I stopped.

Umbraezar and Vorathos immediately halted behind me.

Leon and Mirae glanced back.

I turned slightly, my tone shifting. Calm, but firm.

"You two. Return to my shadow."

Without a word, both of them stepped forward, and in the blink of an eye, dissolved into black mist. The swirling smoke coiled downward, like it was being pulled by gravity itself, and vanished into the long shadow at my feet.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "You're not coming with us?"

"I have something to take care of," I said.

He looked unsure. "You sure?"

Mirae already knew. She gave me a nod. "We'll head back first. Don't take too long."

I gave her a small smile. "I won't."