The air inside the citadel thickened with an unnatural tension as the darkness around the figure pulsed with malignant energy. The figure's form continued to swirl in shadow, its presence an overwhelming force that sought to crush any resistance. Yet despite the chaos pressing in from all sides, Elara could feel the pull of something deep within her—a spark of light, a flicker of hope that refused to die. The ley lines beneath them thrummed with this same energy, as though the city itself were trying to fight back.
Her voice rang out, strong despite the tremors of fear racing through her. "We can stop you. The city isn't yours to control."
