Marvel: Sin Lord

The icy winds of the throne room swirled violently as Inarius and the Lich King faced off, their auras clashing like two storms colliding. The Lich King, his towering figure encased in jagged armor, stepped forward, his frost-covered sword scraping against the frozen floor, leaving a trail of ice in its wake.

"You've come far, mortal," the Lich King said, his voice a chilling echo that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. "But this is where your journey ends. I will add your soul to my collection."

Inarius raised his flaming purple sword, its heat melting the frost beneath him. "You talk too much," he snarled. "Let's see if you can back it up."

With a deafening roar, the Lich King charged, his massive sword cleaving through the air like a guillotine. Inarius met the attack head-on, their blades colliding in an explosion of fire and ice. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the throne room, shattering icy pillars and cracking the floor.

The Lich King was relentless, his strikes coming with the precision of a master swordsman and the strength of a demigod. Each swing of his blade left trails of frost that froze the air itself, while Inarius's sword burned brighter with every clash, leaving scorch marks on the icy walls.

Inarius ducked under a horizontal slash and countered with an upward swing, his flames licking at the Lich King's armor. The heat warped the metal, but the Lich King seemed unfazed. He retaliated with a devastating backhand that sent Inarius skidding across the floor.

"You are strong," the Lich King admitted, his glowing blue eyes narrowing. "But strength alone will not save you."

He raised his sword high, and the air in the room grew unbearably cold. Frost formed on Inarius's skin, numbing his movements. From the ground, jagged spikes of ice erupted, forcing him to leap and dodge to avoid being skewered.

Inarius growled in frustration, summoning a wave of purple flames that melted the spikes and warmed his frozen limbs. He charged forward, his sword blazing, and struck the Lich King's blade with all his might.

The Lich King staggered, his armor glowing red-hot from the intensity of Inarius's flames. Sensing an opportunity, Inarius pressed the attack. He slashed at the Lich King's chest, carving a deep gash through his armor, then followed up with a spinning kick that knocked him off balance.

But the Lich King was far from defeated. With a guttural snarl, he slammed his sword into the ground, sending a wave of frost that froze everything in its path. Inarius barely had time to leap into the air, his sword blazing as he aimed for the Lich King's head.

The Lich King raised his sword just in time, blocking the strike, but the force drove him to one knee. Inarius landed behind him and swung his blade in a wide arc, severing the Lich King's right arm.

The Lich King howled in pain, black ichor spilling onto the frozen floor. "You will pay for that!" he roared, his voice shaking the very foundations of the citadel.

Inarius didn't give him a chance to recover. He grabbed the Lich King by the throat, his sin-fueled power surging through him. "Let me show you the weight of your sins," he growled, his voice laced with venom.

The Lich King's glowing eyes widened as Inarius's power invaded his mind, forcing him to relive every atrocity he had committed—the countless lives he had taken, the worlds he had destroyed. The Lich King screamed, his voice filled with anguish and rage, but Inarius didn't relent.

Summoning every ounce of his strength, Inarius drove his flaming sword through the Lich King's chest, impaling him against his throne. Purple flames erupted, consuming the Lich King's body in a blaze of sin and fury.

When the flames died down, only the charred remains of the Lich King's armor remained. Inarius stood over the throne, his breathing heavy, his body trembling from the exertion.

"Well done, my champion," came the Dark One's voice, echoing through the now-silent throne room.

Inarius turned, his sword still glowing faintly. "It's done," he said flatly.

The air shimmered, and the Dark One appeared, his imposing form cloaked in shadows. In his hands, he held a spear. its shaft was forged from dark, jagged metal, and its blade was a shimmering, translucent blue, radiating an icy aura.

"This spear," the Dark One said, "is forged from the essence of the Lich King's power. You may have absorbed his strength and memories, but you are not a lich. With this weapon, you can wield his power as your own."

He handed the spear to Inarius, who took it hesitantly. The weapon felt cold to the touch, but its power was undeniable.

"Use it wisely," the Dark One continued. "You will need it for the next trial."

Inarius raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

The Dark One smiled, his eyes glinting with malice. "Your sixith trial is to defeat the Spider Queen Shelob. She resides deep within the mountains of her realm, a labyrinth of shadow and poison. Only by destroying her will you prove your worth."

The Dark One waved his hand, and a swirling portal of black and green energy appeared before Inarius. "When you are ready," he said, "step through and begin your next trial."

Inarius glanced at the portal, then back at the Dark One. "I don't need a break," he said, gripping the spear tightly. "Let's get this over with."

The Dark One's laughter echoed through the throne room as he faded into the shadows. "Then go, my champion. Your destiny awaits."

Without hesitation, Inarius stepped through the portal, the spear in one hand and his flaming sword in the other. The world around him shifted, the icy cold of the citadel replaced by a suffocating heat and darkness.

He found himself standing at the base of a massive mountain, its peak obscured by swirling black clouds. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the sound of scuttling legs echoed all around him.

Inarius tightened his grip on his weapons, his eyes narrowing as he began his ascent. "Shelob," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what you've got."