Eli's world had shattered. The one person she trusted above all others, Aethon, had tried to rip out her heart. The Shadow King's cackling still echoed in her mind, fueling her despair. She stumbled forward, her eyes fixed on Aethon's motionless form.
"Aethon, why?" Eli whispered, her voice trembling.
Suddenly, Aethon's body twitched. Eli's heart skipped a beat. She dropped to her knees beside him.
"Aethon, please...talk to me." Eli's hands hovered over his chest, hesitant to touch him.
Aethon's eyes flickered open, filled with torment. "Eli...run. The Shadow King...controls me." His voice was barely audible.
Eli's grip on her magic tightened. "What do you mean?"
Aethon's gaze drifted toward the Shadow King, who watched them with interest. "The artifact...he used it...to command me." Aethon's words came in ragged gasps.
Eli's mind reeled. The Shadow King's manipulation changed everything. Aethon wasn't a traitor, but a pawn.
With newfound determination, Eli helped Aethon sit up. "We'll break free from his control. Together."
The Shadow King's amusement grew. "Foolish girl. You think you can defy me?"
Eli stood, Aethon leaning against her. "I won't give up." Her magic swirled around her, a fierce shield.
As they faced the Shadow King, Eli realized that her heart, though shattered, still held a spark. That spark would ignite her fight against the darkness.