The battle roared around Reazeal as the first of the Beasts crashed into the crumbling ruins with terrifying force. The ground shook beneath his feet, sending jagged rocks flying through the air. The air was thick with dust and smoke, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. Yet, Reazeal's focus was unyielding, his eyes locked on the Beast that was charging toward him—a monstrous entity, its form cloaked in shadow, its eyes burning like molten fire.
With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, the blade crackling with raw energy. It was a weapon forged in ancient times, with powers that Reazeal had only begun to tap into. But today, it would have to be enough.
Lara was already in motion, her sword flashing as she engaged another Beast nearby. Her movements were fluid, precise, a deadly dance that left no room for hesitation. Reazeal could feel the pull of the rift within him, the insatiable hunger growing stronger with every strike, every collision. The Beasts were feeding it, amplifying its power. He could sense the darkness growing within, and he feared what might happen if it consumed him.
The first Beast lunged toward him, its claws tearing through the air with a speed that belied its massive size. Reazeal barely had time to react, ducking under its swipe and rolling to the side. The Beast roared in frustration, its jaws snapping as it turned to face him once more. But Reazeal was already on his feet, his sword raised and ready.
With a battle cry, he charged forward, his sword slicing through the air with unnatural speed. The Beast tried to block, but Reazeal's blade found its mark, cutting deep into its thick hide. The creature howled in pain, staggering back, but it wasn't done yet. It swung its massive tail toward Reazeal, sending him flying backward, crashing into a pile of debris. The air was knocked out of him as the impact rattled his bones, but he didn't hesitate. He pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain as he refocused on his enemy.
The Beast was already charging again, its eyes burning with a malevolent fury. Reazeal could feel his pulse quicken, his hand gripping his sword tighter. But before he could strike again, something unexpected happened.
A voice—low and insistent—whispered in his mind. You are stronger than this. Let go of your hesitation. Embrace the power.
The rift inside him surged at the sound of the voice, its presence so overpowering that it almost drowned out his thoughts. It was as if the darkness within him was awakening, stretching its claws toward the surface. For a moment, Reazeal hesitated. The power was there—raw, unfiltered, and waiting for him to take it. He could feel the rift thrumming with energy, feeding on the destruction around him.
He glanced at Lara, who was still engaged in her own battle with the Beasts. Her expression was a mask of focus, but Reazeal saw the weariness in her eyes. She was pushing herself to her limits, and he knew that if he didn't end this soon, they would both be overwhelmed.
Don't let it consume you, he reminded himself.
With a deep breath, he forced himself to focus. He wasn't going to let the rift take control—not again. He had a purpose, and it wasn't to be consumed by the darkness.
The Beast lunged at him once more, its claws outstretched. This time, Reazeal was ready. He dodged to the side, using the Beast's momentum against it. With a single fluid motion, he swung his sword in a wide arc, cutting through the Beast's exposed side. The creature howled in agony, but it wasn't finished yet. It staggered, its body twitching as it prepared for another attack.
But Reazeal could see it now—its weakness. The Beast's movements were sluggish, its body already beginning to deteriorate from the wound he had inflicted. He wasn't fighting it head-on anymore; he was outmaneuvering it, using his speed and skill to chip away at its strength.
As the Beast turned to face him once more, Reazeal knew it was time to end it. He focused all his energy, channeling the remnants of the power he had once controlled. It wasn't enough to defeat the rift, but it was enough to finish the battle.
With a final, decisive strike, Reazeal drove his sword through the Beast's heart. It let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into dark smoke as it disintegrated into nothingness.
Breathing heavily, Reazeal turned toward Lara, who had already taken down the remaining Beasts in the vicinity. Her face was streaked with blood and dirt, but her expression was resolute.
"We need to move," she said, her voice strained. "The others will be here soon."
Reazeal nodded, his chest still heaving with exertion. He didn't need to ask who she was talking about. He could feel it too—the presence of something far more dangerous than the Beasts. They were only the beginning.
As they began to move through the ruins, Reazeal couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The rift within him pulsed again, louder this time, as if it had grown stronger in the wake of the battle. And with it, the voice came again, this time more insistent, more commanding.
You cannot stop this, Reazeal. You cannot stop me. You are mine.
He clenched his jaw, pushing the voice to the back of his mind. He had to focus. The war was far from over, and the true threat was still out there, waiting.
End of the chapter.