The cavern trembled as the shadow dragon roared, its crimson-veined form writhing with raw malice. The air seemed to crackle with its fury.
"Stay back!" Aiden commanded, but this time, his voice carried a resonance that even the Core paused to observe.
The Core forced Lila's body into motion, her face twisting into an expression of feigned terror. "Aiden, we can't do this! We have to run!" it cried, mimicking her voice perfectly.
Inwardly, Lila raged. Don't you dare make me look weak! She felt the Core smirk in response, reveling in her powerlessness.
Aiden didn't respond. His weapon—a construct of light and shadow braided together—flared briefly in his hand, the mist-like aura around him flickering. He shifted his stance as the dragon's massive tail whipped toward him. With a flick of his wrist, the mist coalesced, his body rippling in the mist. The tail struck him with a thunderous crack, its tail phasing through Aiden's ghostly form.
The Core hissed in Lila's mind. What is this? He shouldn't have this power—not in his state.
Lila's defiance flared. You're scared of him. You should be.
Ignoring her, the Core pushed Lila forward. Her two-handed sword formed from swirling shadows, its edges gleaming with malice. "Aiden, focus!" her voice shouted. "If we don't take it down, we're dead!"
He shifted his stance, the mist-like aura dissipating. His knees wavered, but he locked his legs, forcing himself upright.
The Core smirked internally, directing Lila's body to step forward, placing her sword at the ready. He's wearing down faster than I expected, it hissed to itself. Perfect. Let him wear himself out.
But within her mind, Lila stirred, her defiance flaring. You can't keep this up forever, she snapped. He'll see through you.
He won't live long enough to matter, the Core countered, its voice dripping with venom. And once he's gone, so is Sylva.
Aiden turned toward the dragon, his weapon dimming slightly as he raised it. He fired a crescent of energy—a mix of light and darkness—straight into the creature's chest. It screeched, staggering back, its form flickering as cracks spread across its body.
The dragon retaliated, its massive claws crashing down. Aiden leapt back, his weapon flaring to life as he swung, the blade slicing through the air. The dragon screeched as the light-dark edge cut into its smoky flesh, but its retaliation was swift. A massive tail whipped toward Aiden with crushing force.
He raised his arms instinctively, summoning a shield of mist around him. The impact sent him flying, the shield cracking as he hit the ground hard. He groaned, struggling to rise, his vision swimming.
"Aiden!" Lila's voice—mimicking concern—rang out as she sprinted forward. Her sword gleamed as she drove it into the dragon's flank, her movements swift and merciless. The dragon reeled, its form flickering with instability.
Aiden staggered to his feet, his weapon pulsing faintly in his hand. "We can't let this go on much longer," he growled, his voice strained. He lashed out with chains of light and shadow, gullitining a wing clean off. Its crimson eyes flared with rage, and shadows erupted from its wounds, twisting into jagged spires that lunged toward him.
One spire struck his shoulder, piercing the mist armor. Aiden winced, stumbling as blood seeped through his torn shirt. Still, he didn't falter. He raised his weapon again, its glow shifting between radiant white and abyssal black.
Lila's forced voice called out again. "Aiden, be careful!"
Inside, she screamed. Stop manipulating him! He's giving everything he has, and you're just using him!
The Core's response was icy. And he'll give even more before this is done.
The Core's response was icy. And yet he's losing. Just as planned.
Aiden swung his weapon, releasing a crescent of mixed energy that struck the dragon's chest, staggering it. His knees buckled as the glow of his weapon dimmed. His vision blurred, the Glaucus shadow sapping his strength faster now.
The dragon's tail whipped around, smashing into Lila's controlled form. The Core allowed her to take the hit, her body slamming into the ground. It groaned, her voice strained. "Aiden—help me!"
Aiden turned, his instincts overriding his exhaustion. He dashed forward, the mist around him shifting into a tendril that propelled him like a gust of wind. He drove his weapon into the dragon's flank, the blade pulsing with renewed vigor.
The dragon lunged, its jaws snapping inches from Aiden. He twisted, using a burst of mist to propel himself upward. He drove his weapon into the dragon's neck, his knees buckling as the construct flared. The creature roared, its form flickering violently.
Aiden extended his hand, and from his palm erupted a whip-like tendril of merged light and shadow. It lashed out, coiling around the dragon's neck. The creature thrashed, its roar shaking the cavern, but Aiden held firm, his eyes blazing with focus.
"This ends now!" he shouted, he lept down yanking the whip tight. The construct flared, its glow shifting between radiant white and abyssal black, pulling the dragon's massive head downward.
"Finish it!" Lila shouted, her body moving with controlled precision. She leapt onto the dragon's back with tremendous force. The creature thrashed violently, its form crumbling as smoke poured from its body.
Aiden's weapon flared one last time as he drove it into the dragon's heart. The beast convulsed, then collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.
As the dust settled, Aiden turned to Lila, his eyes sharp despite his battered state. The boy, who had been cowering near the wall, flickered and twisted into the shape of a shadowy goblin before dissolving.
"It was never Jake," Aiden said, his voice quiet but certain.
Lila's body froze, the Core scrambling to maintain its facade. "I… I didn't know," it said, forcing a trembling tone. "Aiden, I swear, I thought it was him!"
For a moment, Lila felt hope flicker. He knows. He has to know.
Aiden's gaze lingered on her, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I believe you okay," he said, his tone wary. "But next time… we need to be sure ."
"Youre right," The Core smirked internally, even as Lila's voice echoed with quiet defiance in its mind. You'll never make him kill Sylva. I won't let you.
Oh, my dear Lila, the Core whispered. You'll have no say in the matter. Watch as his light dims, and when the time comes, he'll do exactly what I need him to.
As Aiden turned toward the cavern's exit, his shoulders heavy and his steps unsteady, the Core smiled through Lila's lips.
"Let's keep moving," it said sweetly. "We're almost there."