Blonde knight faces a spectral snake in a defensive stance

A cinematic, vertical action fantasy portrait of a fierce blonde knight holding a longsword in a low combat stance, surrounded by a giant ethereal spectral snake made of blue energy and smoke. [Subject & Pose]: A beautiful, athletic blonde female knight with her hair tied back in a neat bun with braided details. She has intense, sharp blue-grey eyes and a cold, focused expression directed straight at the camera. She holds a sleek silver longsword horizontally in front of her chest with both gloved hands in a defensive combat stance. [Magical Effect]: Swirling around her body, shoulders, and head is a massive, glowing spectral giant viper snake constructed from ethereal blue smoke, mist, and luminous energy particles. The spectral snake's head looms beside her with bared fangs and a flickering tongue. [Outfit & Armor]: She wears highly detailed, ornate dark steel plate armor with intricate gold filigree filleting and engravings across the pauldrons, breastplate, gauntlets, and leg greaves, layered over a dark red padded tunic. [Setting & Background]: An ancient stone castle courtyard or armory at dusk/night. The background features stone battlements, medieval stone walls with glowing wall torches, and weapon racks filled with swords and spears blurred in the background. Light embers float through the air. [Lighting & Style]: Dark and dramatic atmospheric lighting with strong contrast. The glowing blue light from the ethereal spectral snake illuminates her face, steel armor, and sword. Shot on 85mm lens, vertical aspect ratio (9:16), shallow depth of field, Unreal Engine 5 render style, 8k resolution, ultra-detailed dark fantasy concept art.