The cave was filled with chaos as Lyra and Astrid continued their fight. Each blow Lyra struck was carried with the weight of despair, pushing Astrid and the others further into desperation. Raiden stood, gripping his injured side, his teeth clenched. Lightning flickered around him like a protective barrier, but it wasn't enough.
Ash, now leaning heavily on a jagged rock, barked out, "You idiot! Lightning can't hurt her magic! What's your plan? Zap her into submission?"
Raiden glared at him. "I don't see you doing much better!"
Astrid, standing a few feet away, summoned another burst of negative energy, her hands trembling. She hurled it toward Lyra, but the dark tendrils surrounding the sorceress swallowed the attack effortlessly. Lyra laughed—a sound that sent chills down their spines.
"You think darkness can pierce darkness ?" Lyra taunted, her voice dripping with malice. "You'll all crumble beneath me."
Raiden stepped forward despite Ash's protests, his lightning flaring brighter. "How the hell does this even work?" he yelled, turning to Astrid. "This… dark magic.Why does it feel like it's everywhere?"
Astrid dodged a shadowy strike, sweat streaming down her face. She glanced at Raiden, her voice strained . "Dark magic doesn't work like normal magic. It lives on negative energy— or negative emotions, fear, anger, pain. The more chaos you feel, the stronger it gets."
"And normal magic?" Raiden said, his curiosity blending with desperation.
"Spiritual energy," Astrid explained between attacks. "It's pure. It's harmony. It's everything dark magic isn't." She locked eyes with him. "That's why you can't let her get into your head. She's stronger when you're weak!"
Lyra's laugh echoed again, cutting through their conversation. "How sweet," she mocked. "Sharing lessons in the middle of your defeat."
A shadowy tentacle lashed out, wrapping around Astrid's arm. She cried out as the dark energy burned into her skin. Raiden lunged forward, cutting the tentacle with his hand, freeing her.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice soft.
Astrid nodded, her expression fierce. "We have to end this."
Lyra, unimpressed, raised her hands, and the cave seemed to darken further. Massive shadowy tentacles erupted from the ground, writhing and striking like serpents. Raiden and Ash scrambled to avoid them, while Astrid fought to keep them at bay with bursts of negative energy.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the cave. Everyone froze as the shadows parted, revealing Astrid's father, King Eldric, and her brother, Magnus. The king's expression was a mixture of relief and fury as his gaze landed on Astrid.
"Astrid!" Eldric's voice boomed. "What are you doing here?"
Astrid's eyes widened. "Father… I—"
Magnus stepped forward, his sword gleaming with light. "Get behind us, Astrid," he commanded, his voice calm but firm. "l'll handle this."
Lyra smirked, her eyes gleaming with recognition. "Ah, the royal family has arrived. How touching."
The king's face hardened. "Lyra. Your reign of terror ends here."
Lyra's laugh was cold and cruel. "You think you can stop me? You couldn't even save your daughter from my curse."
Astrid clenched her fists, her breathing ragged. She stepped forward, placing herself between her family and Lyra. "No. This is my fight."
Magnus frowned. "Astrid—"
"No!" she shouted, cutting him off. "I'm the one she cursed. I'm the one who's been living with this… this darkness inside me. And I'm the one who's going to end it!"
Lyra's grin widened. "Bold words, little princess. Let's see if you can back them up."
Astrid took a deep breath, her hands glowing with negative energy. She glanced back at Raiden and Ash, then at her father and brother. "Stay back. All of you."
The cave seemed to tremble as Astrid raised her hands, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "If I'm going to end this… I have to use everything I have."
Raiden stepped forward. "Astrid, what are you doing?"
She turned to him, a sad but determined smile on her face. "Something I never wanted to do."
Lyra's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "You wouldn't dare."
Astrid ignored her, closing her eyes. The air around her began to shift, glowing with an odd light. "Celestial Domain…" she whispered.