The darkness was like a living thing, wrapping itself around Lirien and her companions. The Shadow Queen's magic was unlike anything Lirien had ever felt before - it was as if the very fabric of reality was twisting and warping to do her bidding.
Lirien's magic faltered under the onslaught, her senses reeling from the sheer power of the Shadow Queen's magic. She stumbled back, her vision blurring as the darkness seemed to swallow her whole.
Raven and Kaelara fought on, their swords flashing in the dim light. But even their combined strength seemed no match for the Shadow Queen's power.
As Lirien stumbled, she felt a strange sensation - as if she was being pulled towards the Shadow Queen. She tried to resist, but it was too late. The Shadow Queen's hand reached out, her fingers closing around Lirien's wrist like a vice.
"You're so much stronger than you think you are," the Shadow Queen whispered, her voice like a cold wind in Lirien's ear. "But you're not strong enough to stop me."
Lirien felt herself being pulled closer, her vision blurring as the Shadow Queen's face loomed over hers. And then, in a flash of insight, she saw it - the secret to defeating the Shadow Queen.
"You're bound to Xarath," Lirien said, her voice barely audible over the din of the battle. "You're his servant, his pawn."
The Shadow Queen's grip tightened around Lirien's wrist. "And you're mine now," she hissed.
But Lirien's words had struck home. The Shadow Queen's eyes flickered with uncertainty, and for a moment, her grip relaxed.
Raven and Kaelara took advantage of the distraction. Raven struck at the Shadow Queen with his sword, while Kaelara unleashed a blast of magic that sent the dark energies swirling around them into disarray.
The Shadow Queen stumbled back, her hold on Lirien broken. Lirien fell to her knees, gasping for breath.
As she looked up, she saw Xarath standing before them, its dark energy swirling around it like a vortex. But this time, it was different. This time, there was a glimmer of uncertainty in its eyes.