The rift pulsed, a soundless scream emanating from its depths—an unfathomable force clawing at the minds of everyone present.
Kaelron stood at the heart of it all, still bound by the Maw's lingering essence. Shadows coiled and writhed around him, pulling at his mind and body as he struggled to stabilize the merging magic within him. His relic and crown fragments glowed faintly, their light battling the encroaching void.
Nyx stood beside him, her daggers gleaming in her hands. Umbra crouched protectively near her feet, its eyes locked on the advancing threats. Nyx's voice cut through the chaos, steady and unwavering.
"Kael, you're stronger than this," she said firmly, her hand gripping his arm. "Whatever that thing is, it doesn't own you. You're still you."
Kaelron's breaths came in short, ragged gasps. The weight of the rift pressed against him, its oppressive presence an unbearable force. "It's too powerful, Nyx," he whispered, his voice trembling.
