Lillith's eyes, once clouded with anger and the dark Ether, flickered with uncertainty. For the first time, the power of the darkness seemed to wane, and Ethan could see the internal struggle playing out in her expression. Prella and Lilu, now closer to Lillith, concentrated their combined Ether powers to weaken the grip the dark energy had over her.
"Don't let it control you," Prella said, her voice calm but firm, her blue Radiansaber humming softly beside her. "We can free you."
Lillith's crimson saber wavered, its dark energy sputtering. But just as it seemed like Lillith might finally relent, a sudden surge of the dark Ether coursed through her. Her eyes flashed red again, the tendrils of darkness wrapping around her form more tightly than before.
"No!" Lillith shouted, lashing out with her saber, her strikes more erratic, filled with desperation rather than precision. "The dark Ether is my strength, it's all I have left!"
