The cavern's light pulsed like a heartbeat, each flare pushing the shadows back inch by inch. The monstrous entity shrieked, its form twisting as it recoiled. The whispers turned into anguished cries, the very air vibrating with their rage.
Greg clutched his ears. "Okay, make it stop! This is like listening to a thousand ghosts argue about taxes!"
Alex, standing protectively beside Mallory, raised his blade. "Mallory, whatever you're doing, do it faster."
She gritted her teeth, tightening her grip on the glowing crystal. The visions from before burned in her mind—the villagers standing lifeless, their souls ensnared. If she didn't stop this thing now, more people would be lost.
The shadow creature lunged.
Mallory barely had time to react before a wave of darkness surged toward them, swallowing the cavern in an inky black mist. The glowing crystals flickered, and the oppressive weight of the void pressed down on them.
