And just as Kaelen raised his hand, a shadow surged behind him—something darker, stronger, ancient. It lunged for him, unseen, just as he launched his attack.
A gasp echoed in the tense silence, followed by the unmistakable crackle of dark energy clashing against Kaelen's newfound power. The light from his hand flickered, struggling against the overwhelming darkness that surged at him like a beast from the depths.
Seraphina's heart stopped. She could barely make out Kaelen's silhouette in the blinding light, his body glowing like a beacon, but the shadow was so massive, so full of malice, it seemed to eclipse everything else. The air thickened, turning suffocating, the temperature dropping as if the very essence of hope was being drained from the world.
"Kaelen!" Seraphina screamed, but the words were swallowed by the darkness, lost in the whirlwind of chaotic power.
