The dawn after their victory was short-lived. Elric and his companions had barely begun their descent from the summit when they encountered Malakar's forces once more. This time, the dark sorcerer was not alone. Scores of shadowy creatures flanked him, their eyes glowing with malevolence. The air was thick with tension, and the ground beneath them seemed to pulse with dark energy.
"We can't let them regroup," Arden said, his voice low but urgent. "We need to strike now while we still have the advantage."
Elric nodded, gripping his sword tightly. The Bell at his waist glowed faintly, a reminder of the power he wielded. "Stay close," he instructed his companions. "We fight together."
They charged forward, their battle cries echoing through the valley. The clash of steel against shadow filled the air, and the ground was soon littered with the remains of Malakar's minions. Despite their efforts, it quickly became apparent that this battle was different. The shadowy creatures were more coordinated, their attacks more precise. Malakar's presence was a constant, oppressive force, his dark magic weaving through the battlefield like a sinister thread.
Elric fought with all his might, the Bell's power surging through him. Fire and lightning erupted from his sword, cutting through the darkness. But even as he struck down enemy after enemy, a sense of unease gnawed at him. Malakar had not yet engaged directly, and Elric knew the dark sorcerer was biding his time.
Finally, Malakar stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Elric. "You fight well, Elric," he said, his voice carrying over the din of battle. "But you cannot win. Not against me."
Elric narrowed his eyes, raising his sword. "I will not let you bring darkness to Elderglen."
Malakar's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Ah, but you already have, Armadrea."
Elric's heart skipped a beat. The name—his bestowed name. How could Malakar know it? Panic surged through him, but he tried to hide it. "What did you say?" he demanded, his voice betraying a hint of fear.
Malakar's smile widened. "You heard me, Armadrea. With that name, you are mine."
Elric felt a sudden, overwhelming force seize control of his body. His limbs stiffened, and his sword fell from his grasp. He struggled against the invisible chains that bound him, but it was futile. The power of his bestowed name was absolute.
"Fall," Malakar commanded, his voice resonating with dark magic. "Armadrea."
Elric's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. He could see the shock and horror on his companions' faces, but he couldn't speak, couldn't warn them. His body was no longer his own.
Malakar approached, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You see, Elric? The power of names is absolute. You are now my puppet, to do with as I please."
Arden stepped forward, his bow drawn. "Let him go, Malakar!" he shouted, his voice filled with anger.
Malakar laughed, a sound that sent chills down their spines. "Or what? You think you can defeat me without your precious leader?"
Before Arden could react, Malakar raised his hand and muttered a dark incantation. A wave of shadowy energy erupted from his palm, striking Arden and sending him sprawling to the ground. Maren rushed to his side, her healing magic already at work, but the damage had been done.
Thane charged at Malakar, his hammer raised high. But with a flick of his wrist, Malakar sent Thane flying backward, crashing into the rocky ground with a sickening thud. The sheer power of the dark sorcerer's magic was overwhelming, and without Elric to lead them, they were losing ground fast.
Elric struggled against the force controlling him, but it was no use. He could feel Malakar's will pressing down on him, suffocating him. Every attempt to move, to speak, was met with crushing resistance. He could only watch as his friends fought desperately, their hope waning with each passing moment.
"Now, Elric," Malakar said, his voice a twisted mockery of gentleness. "Kill them."
Elric's body moved against his will, rising to its feet and retrieving his sword. His mind screamed in protest, but his body obeyed the dark command. He advanced on his companions, his sword raised.
"No!" Arden shouted, struggling to his feet. "Elric, fight it! You have to fight it!"
But Elric couldn't. The power of his bestowed name was too strong. With a single, fluid motion, he struck at Arden, the blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Arden barely managed to deflect the blow, his eyes wide with shock and betrayal.
Maren cast a protective spell around them, but Elric's sword shattered it effortlessly. She stumbled back, her face pale. "Elric, please," she whispered, tears in her eyes. "You have to fight him."
Elric's heart ached with the pain of his betrayal, but he couldn't stop. His body moved with mechanical precision, striking again and again. His companions fought back valiantly, but they were no match for the power that controlled him.
Finally, with a devastating blow, Elric disarmed Arden, sending his sword flying into the darkness. Arden fell to his knees, breathing heavily, his eyes filled with resignation. "If you're going to do it, Elric," he said, his voice trembling, "do it quickly."
Elric's sword hovered above Arden's neck, but he hesitated. In that moment of hesitation, a spark of resistance flared within him. He could feel the Bell's power still pulsing at his waist, a faint reminder of the strength within him. He focused on that power, on the bond he shared with his friends, and with all his might, he pushed back against Malakar's control.
For a brief, shining moment, he was free. He dropped his sword, the clatter echoing through the valley. "Arden," he gasped, his voice raw with effort. "Run. Now."
But the moment of freedom was fleeting. Malakar's control reasserted itself, and Elric was once again a prisoner within his own body. He turned to face Malakar, his eyes burning with defiance. "This isn't over," he said, his voice a low growl. "You may control me now, but I will find a way to break free. And when I do, I will destroy you."
Malakar's smile faltered for the first time, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But it was quickly replaced by a sneer. "Brave words, Armadrea. But they are meaningless. You belong to me now."
With a gesture, Malakar summoned a portal of swirling darkness. He stepped through it, and Elric's body followed, leaving his friends behind. As the portal closed, Elric caught one last glimpse of their faces, etched with sorrow and determination.
The battle was lost, but the war was far from over. Elric's journey had taken a dark turn, but he still held onto hope. Somewhere, deep within, he believed that he could break free from the chains that bound him. And when he did, he would return to his friends, stronger and more determined than ever.