Declan and Elara looked up at Adrian and the dark creature he had called, the awful blackness of the chamber weighing them down.
The runes on the ground pulsed with a malignant glow, and the air crackled with black energy.
Declan felt the weight of the approaching conflict, knowing that what they did in the next few minutes would determine the fate of their planet.
"Ready?" Elara stared at Adrian while whispering.
Declan tightened his hold on his blade and nodded. "Ready."
The laughter shook the room from the mysterious figure. "Stupid people.
Do you believe you can resist me?"
Adrian held up his hands, a black aura surrounding him. Declan, this is the last for you.
You shall fall, and the Shadow Brotherhood will rise."
Adrian let off a barrage of evil magic before Declan could reply. Declan and Elara dove to the sides, just missing the lethal explosion.
They glanced at each other and said not a word. Adrian had to be separated from the enigmatic person.
"Take Adrian, Elara. Declan spoke with a strong will of purpose: "I'll take care of his master."
Elara gave a nod, her eyes intense. "Be careful."
Declan's attention was drawn to the dark figure as Elara sprang at Adrian.
An awful light shone in the black being's eyes, and it appeared to enlarge as it took in the energy from the runes.
After taking a long breath to settle himself, Declan launched himself forward.
The monster moved at a speed that was nearly impossible to follow, but Declan's experience and instincts took over.
With a broad arc, he swung his sword, causing the blade to shimmer with the strength of his will.
The monster pushed back Declan as its dark tendrils wrapped around the blade and deflected his assault.
"Impressive," he growled. "But futile."
Declan clenched his jaw and resisted as hard as he could. "We'll see about that."
Adrian and Elara squared off in the meantime.
In a lethal battle, the two circled around one another with their eyes locked.
Adrian's hands were brimming with black energy, and his face was a mixture of triumph and wrath.
"Elara, you could have been by my side," Adrian replied with a bitter tone. "Instead, you chose to die with him."
Elara's defiance shone in her eyes. "I went with love. My selection was a result of our bond. And I made the decision to oppose your authority."
Adrian roared and unleashed a hail of black bolts at Elara. She moved with elegance and accuracy as she dove and weaved.
She gathered her own might and pushed Adrian back with a wave of light in return.
The room trembled more as the combat raged, the runes growing brighter.
Declan engaged the dark monster in ferocious combat, the sound of their weapons colliding sending shockwaves through the atmosphere.
The figure possessed great strength, but Declan's resolve was much more intense.
With a shivering murmur, the beast mocked, "You can't win." "The darkness will consume you."
Declan's grip tightened around his blade as his gaze narrowed. "Not while there's still light."
Declan unleashed a burst of energy that sent the figure reeling backwards as he broke past its barriers.
The monster began to lose shape and snarled in pain.
"Elara, now!" Declan yelled.
Upon hearing Declan's cry, Elara mustered her power for one more charge.
She focused her energy into a dazzling ball of light, which she threw in Adrian's direction.
Adrian screamed as the light passed through his eerie aura and the sphere impacted him with a blinding flash.
"Declan!" Elara let out a strained call.
Declan recognized his opportunity. With his blade ablaze with fire, he charged toward the silhouette.
He hit the figure with a powerful blow, the sword slicing through the shadows.
With a bone-chilling scream, the form started to dissolve, the black energy vanishing into thin air.
The markings faded in power on the ground as the mysterious figure vanished.
The heavy weight in the room lessened gradually as it got quieter. Standing side by side, Declan and Elara exhaled heavily but triumphantly.
Adrian gazed at them with pure loathing, weak and desperate. He spat out, "This isn't over." "I'll be back. There will always be darkness again."
Declan moved forward, icy looking. "Not if we have anything to say about it."
Adrian gave one more fierce shout, trying to strike again, but his might wavered.
With a luminescent hand, Elara moved closer and laid it on Adrian's chest. As the light permeated his body, the darkness within him was driven out.
Adrian emitted one last, agonizing cry before unconsciously falling to the ground.
There was an unbearable silence for a while. Standing over Adrian's lifeless form, Declan and Elara's hearts pounded from the battle's adrenaline.
Though the price was steep, they had prevailed.
"Is it over?" Elara asked, her tone slightly audible.
Declan nodded and looked around the room to see if there were any more dangers.
"For the time being, however, we must ensure that it remains that way."
They looked to the surviving members of the Shadow Brotherhood, who had been silently watching the fight in shock.
They appeared disoriented and clueless in the absence of their leaders.
Declan yelled, "Leave," his voice resonating across the room. "Go, and don't come back. The Shadow Brotherhood has come to an end.
After a brief moment of hesitation, the outlaws started to withdraw and vanish into the night.
Elara and Declan watched them depart, bodies tired but souls unsullied.
Helena walked forward, remorse and grief on her face, as the last of the rogues disappeared. "Declan, Elara, I'm so sorry for everything."
Declan's eyes softened a little, but the hurt of being betrayed did not go away.
"Mother, we can discuss later. We had to leave here right immediately."
With tears flowing down her cheeks, Helena nodded. "Obviously. Come on, let's go."
The earth shook as they emerged from the cavern, the mountain collapsing due to the annihilation of the Shadow Heart.
They went fast, supporting one another as they navigated the perilous areas.
A tremendous roar reverberated across the tunnel as they approached the exit.
Declan looked over and saw the dark figure reappearing, its shape more grotesque and unsteady than before.
It was a last-ditch effort to hold on to power.
"Go!" Declan yelled and shoved Helena and Elara out the door. "I'll hold it off!"
"Declan, no!" Declan was already leaping toward the person as Elara sobbed.
With all of his last power, his blade glowed as he faced the terrifying creature.
Declan unleashed one last, resolute shout as he struck the figure, unleashing a dazzling burst of light and darkness in the process.
---
Breathless, Elara and Helena staggered out of the crumbling mountain.
The tunnel collapsed as the earth trembled fiercely, sending rocks flying all around them.
Elara looked around, and when she saw Declan was still inside, her heart broke.
She cried out, "No, Declan!" with tears running down her cheeks.
Helena's own tears fell, and she pulled away from her. "Elara, we must leave. To save us, he took this action.
Before crashing in on itself and sending a cloud of dust and debris shooting upwards, the mountain gave one more rumbling.
Elara collapsed to her knees and started crying loudly. Declan was gone, killed to put an end to the evil and rescue everyone.
The surviving pack members emerged from the forest as the dust cleared, their expressions a mixture of relief and grief.
Though it was a bittersweet win, they had prevailed.
Elara stood, determined but with a sorrowful heart.
She would guide their pack toward a better future while paying tribute to Declan's sacrifice.