Chapter 27 — Black Lightning Unleashed

Kai stood before the Vampire King, rage burning in his eyes. His chest heaved, his grip on the ninjatō firm. Selene tried to call his name, but no words left her lips.

In the blink of an eye, Kai and Vorath vanished—only to reappear mid-strike, blades and claws colliding with sparks.

Kai fought with everything he had: his body enhanced to its limit, flames igniting from his strikes, gusts of wind propelling his speed, lightning arcing from his blade. Vorath, however, met him blow for blow, smiling with cruel delight.

The King’s strikes were brutal, each one shaking the pillars of the courtroom. One heavy blow sent Kai crashing into a stone column. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he collapsed to the floor.

“Kai!” Selene’s voice cracked, her eyes wide with terror.

Groaning, Kai forced himself up. His ninjatō trembled in his grip. With his free hand, he pulled out lightning-infused shuriken and hurled them at Vorath. Sparks exploded across the chamber, forcing the King to shield his eyes for a moment.

Then Kai drew a kunai, holding it in his left hand. His ninjatō in his right.

With a roar, he lunged. The air snapped with elemental fury, his mana burning away at a dangerous pace.

Vorath’s grin widened. He sidestepped and struck—his claw aiming straight for Kai’s heart.

Kai twisted at the last instant. The blow ripped through his left shoulder instead. Pain seared white-hot through his body.

“Kai!!” Selene screamed, tears brimming in her eyes.

He hit the floor again, blood dripping from his mouth, his shoulder, his temple. His vision blurred. Selene dropped to her knees, crying out, “Please, stop! You don’t have to fight anymore! I don’t want you to die!”

Vorath towered over him, voice calm but commanding. “Kneel, boy. You’ve fought well, but your time is over. Prostrate yourself before your king.”

Kai spat blood, his fists trembling. Is this it? Is this really how it ends?

“No,” he whispered. His voice grew louder, steady with defiance. “I kneel… to no man. To no king. To no god.”

The ground trembled. Shadows danced across the walls. Then it appeared—black lightning crawling over Kai’s body, writhing like living chains. For an instant, the room went silent.

And then Kai vanished.

He reappeared behind Vorath in a burst of darkness, ninjatō crackling with black lightning as he slashed. His blade carved deep into the King’s shoulder.

Vorath staggered back, eyes widening as his wound refused to heal. “What is this…?” he muttered, still smiling despite the surprise.

Selene covered her mouth in shock. He broke through… Vorath’s regeneration?

Kai’s body was wrecked, but he pressed forward, his black lightning cleaving through the King’s defenses. Finally, with a furious roar, Kai plunged his ninjatō straight into Vorath’s chest.

The throne room fell silent.

Every vampire noble froze, staring in disbelief. Blood—thick, black, and ancient—poured from the wound.

Vorath staggered, then slowly walked back to his throne, his grin never fading. He sat down heavily, placing a hand on the blade lodged in his chest.

Kai fell to his knees, barely conscious, his vision tunneling. Selene rushed to him, tears streaming.

“Kai—stay with me!”

Summoning his last strength, Kai pulled the ninjatō free. Black blood spilled onto the marble floor.

Vorath chuckled weakly, his voice echoing through the chamber. “Thank you… boy. That was the finest battle I have had in centuries.”

He turned his gaze to Selene. “Come. Drink, child of my bloodline. Take my power… inherit the legacy of the First King.”

Trembling, Selene stepped forward. Her fangs extended. She bit into his neck, drinking deeply as Vorath’s form began to wither into mist.

His last words echoed like a curse: “Be careful… do not trust anyone. Not even those closest to you…”

With that, his body disintegrated into black ash, leaving only silence.

Kai’s body gave out. He collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.

Selene screamed, clutching him in her arms. “Kai!! Don’t leave me!”

Her cries echoed through the shattered court of Noctis.