Lirien's words still echoed in her mind as she struggled to her feet. The Shadow Queen was bound to Xarath, and that meant that Xarath was vulnerable.
Raven and Kaelara took advantage of the opening, striking at Xarath with renewed ferocity. The dark energy surrounding it swirled and churned, but it didn't falter.
The Shadow Queen, however, was a different story. She seemed to be wavering, her powers faltering as she struggled to maintain her connection to Xarath.
Lirien took a deep breath and focused on the Shadow Queen. She could feel the magic coursing through the woman's veins, a dark and malevolent force that seemed to be drawing life from her very soul.
With a surge of determination, Lirien reached out with her own magic, seeking to sever the bond between the Shadow Queen and Xarath.
The air seemed to shimmer and distort as Lirien's magic clashed with the Shadow Queen's. The two forces danced around each other, each trying to gain the upper hand.
Raven and Kaelara took advantage of the distraction, striking at Xarath with all their might. The dark energy surrounding it began to dissipate, its power waning as the bond between it and the Shadow Queen began to break.
The Shadow Queen let out a cry of rage and despair as she felt herself being torn away from Xarath. She stumbled backwards, her eyes wild and frantic as she tried to reestablish her connection to the dark energy.
But it was too late. Xarath let out a defeated hiss as it dissipated into nothingness, its dark energy dispersing into the air.
The Shadow Queen collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with pain and despair. Lirien approached her, her magic still humming with energy.
"Why did you do this?" Lirien asked, her voice gentle but firm.
The Shadow Queen looked up at her, her eyes filled with tears. "I was trapped," she whispered. "Trapped by my own darkness. I didn't know how to escape."
Lirien knelt beside her, her hand reaching out to touch the Shadow Queen's forehead. "I can help you," she said. "But you have to let go of your darkness."
The Shadow Queen nodded, her eyes filling with hope. And as Lirien's magic flowed into her, she felt herself begin to change. Her darkness began to recede, replaced by a light that seemed to grow brighter with every passing moment.