As Valek's enormous form lay crumbling into ash, the heavy silence that filled the room was broken only by the ragged breaths of James and his companions. The oppressive weight of dark magic had lifted, but the battle wasn't finished yet. Valek's defeat had unleashed a torrent of wild, chaotic energy that pulsed through the collapsing castle, shaking its foundations as if the entire structure was preparing to fall apart.
James, standing at the center of the room, felt a strange sensation tugging at the edge of his consciousness, an echo of Valek's power still lingering, swirling through the crumbling throne room. The ancient vampire lord had fallen, but the dark magic that had once sustained him had not yet dissipated. It was pooling, gathering in the heart of the chamber, searching for a new outlet.
