As the turned friends closed in on Subham and his friends, desperation gnawed at his heart. He knew they were running out of time, and their only hope lay in unleashing the power of the dagger.
With a trembling hand, Subham called upon the dagger, the mark on his palm transforming into the ethereal blade. But as he prepared to strike, a wave of hesitation washed over him. These were his old college mates, his friends. How could he bring himself to harm them?
But as he hesitated, he watched in horror as his friends struggled against the relentless assault of the turned souls. Fear gripped his heart, paralyzing him with indecision.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, cold and sinister. It was the voice of his split personality, his inner demon, tempting him with promises of power and control.
"Are you truly willing to let your friends die?" the voice whispered, its words dripping with malice. "Or will you embrace the darkness within you and save them?"
Subham's heart raced as he grappled with the inner turmoil raging within him. He knew that giving in to the darkness would come at a terrible cost, but the thought of losing his friends was more than he could bear.
With a heavy heart, Subham made his decision. He would do whatever it took to save his friends, even if it meant embracing the darkness that lurked within him.
In an instant, a surge of power coursed through his veins, his strength increasing tenfold. With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Subham unleashed a barrage of devastating attacks upon the turned souls, his movements fluid and precise.
The turned souls faltered under the onslaught, their ranks decimated by Subham's newfound power. But as they began to flee, a sudden burst of fear gripped the soul's heart.
With a swift motion, he pursued the fleeing soul, his movements fueled by a relentless drive to end the threat once and for all. In a flash of steel, he severed the soul's head from its body, a sense of grim satisfaction washing over him.
But as the adrenaline faded and the reality of what he had done sank in, Subham felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He looked upon the faces of his friends, their expressions a mix of shock and horror.
Without a word, Subham turned and fled into the darkness, his heart heavy with regret. He ran until exhaustion consumed him, his body collapsing to the ground in a heap.
But just as he was about to lose consciousness, a familiar figure appeared before him. It was the old man from his dreams, his presence a comforting presence in the darkness.
With a gentle touch, the old man lifted Subham into his arms, his voice a soothing balm to his weary soul.
"Fear not, young one," the old man whispered. "You have faced the darkness within and emerged victorious. Now, rest, and let the light guide you home."