Arkhan ❲POPULAR — ANTHOLOGY❳

The girl screamed and charged, her blade leaving a streak of gold in the darkness. Arkhan met her strike. The collision of light and dark created a shockwave that sent soldiers on both sides stumbling backward.

Arkhan paused, looking at the young hero. He saw in her the same burning passion he had possessed centuries ago. For a fleeting second, he felt a pang of something he hadn't felt in ages: regret. He raised his heavy blade. Arkhan

"Prepare the vanguard," Arkhan said, his voice grating like grinding stone. "We march at midnight." The girl screamed and charged, her blade leaving

They traded blows that illuminated the night. The girl was fast and driven by a desperate courage, but Arkhan was a master of a thousand wars. He deflected her strikes with brutal efficiency, slowly wearing her down. Arkhan paused, looking at the young hero

"I was once like you," Arkhan said, stepping forward. "Full of hope and righteous fury. But the world does not bend to the will of the pure. It bends to the strong."

"Your reign ends today, Arkhan!" the girl cried out, her voice trembling but resolute. "The people will be free!"

"No," Arkhan said softly. "The world has had enough of conquerors."