We pressed on toward the temple, its dark silhouette looming ahead of us, barely visible through the thinning fog. The air was thick with tension and exhaustion, every breath heavier than the last. Despite the fact that we had survived the latest encounter with the shadows, a deep sense of unease had settled over the group, especially between Raven and me.
The weight of the crystal in my pocket felt heavier now, almost as if it were feeding off my fear, my doubt. I could feel its pull more strongly than ever before, the darkness within it calling to me, tempting me to give in completely. Each time I used its power, it became harder to fight the urge to tap into it again, to surrender to the intoxicating energy that surged through me. I couldn't afford to fall into that trap, but I didn't know how much longer I could resist.
