As they approached the statue of the Shadowheart, Lirien felt an eerie silence fall over the cavern. The air seemed to grow colder, and the darkness seemed to thicken, like a palpable force.
Raven walked forward, his eyes fixed on the statue. "Ah, the Shadowheart," he said, his voice full of reverence. "I've heard so much about you."
The statue loomed above them, its face twisted into a cruel smile. Lirien shivered as she felt its gaze upon her.
"Welcome, mortals," the Shadowheart said in a voice that sent shivers down Lirien's spine. "I have been waiting for you."
Kaelin stepped forward, its voice calm and commanding. "We mean no harm," it said. "We've come to stop your return."
The Shadowheart laughed, its voice echoing off the walls of the cavern. "You are brave, I'll give you that," it said. "But you are foolish. You cannot stop me."
Raven drew his sword, his eyes flashing with excitement. "We'll see about that," he said.
The Shadowheart raised its hand, and the cavern was filled with a dark energy that seemed to pulse with malevolent power. Lirien felt herself being pulled towards it, as if drawn by some unseen force.
Kaelin raised its own hand, and a blast of pure energy shot forth, striking the Shadowheart's hand and halting its dark power.
The battle was joined.