Death of the Golden Shadow
The streets of Versalis were drowned in a deadly silence.
Only the heavy, suffocating presence of the Fourth Shadow filled the air.
Arya's breath was ragged.
Her sword felt heavy in her hand, her body covered in blood and sweat.
She had managed to wound the shadow a few times — but it wasn't enough.
The creature slipped like smoke in the dark, its claws tearing through stone.
Just one mistake.
One slip.
One moment too late.
The dark claw of the shadow lunged straight toward Arya's heart.
Time froze.
Arya's eyes widened — she knew.
This was death.
But before the strike could land…
A presence.
A cold, heavy silence filled the alley.
From within the darkness… Karen appeared.
He spoke no words.
He drew no sword.
He just looked.
His eyes met the creature's.
In that instant — the monstrous shadow froze.
Its form trembled… like a flame in the wind.
It sparked… cracked… and in a blink —
It shattered.
Gone.
Arya dropped to her knees.
Breathing heavily.
Her blood mixed with the black dust.
Karen stepped forward.
For a moment, he held his gaze on Arya.
A cold look… but not cruel.
Then, without a word, he vanished into the night.
And in that dark emptiness,
the Shadow Crystal glimmered,
and a voice that was never spoken echoed in her mind:
"Your time hasn't come yet… girl."
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