Far from the ruins of the Lunar Archives, deep within the shadowed heart of a desolate fortress, Raven stood before a council of figures cloaked in darkness. Their faces were obscured, but their voices carried an undeniable weight of authority.
"You failed," one of them said, their tone sharp and cutting.
Raven's green eyes flashed with defiance. "I weakened them. The Bearer and her companions won't last long against what's coming."
Another figure leaned forward, their voice calm but laced with menace. "We did not send you to weaken them, Raven. We sent you to claim the Crescent Light."
Raven clenched her fists, shadows curling around her like smoke. "The Bearer is stronger than we anticipated. The pendant responded to her in ways I couldn't predict. But I'll break her. I just need more time."
The council fell silent, their collective disapproval palpable. Finally, the tallest figure spoke, their voice echoing with an unnatural resonance.
"You are our blade, Raven. A weapon forged to cut through the light. Yet you hesitate. Why?"
Raven's defiance faltered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. "Seris… she's not who she used to be. She fights harder now, with purpose. She—"
"She is irrelevant!" the voice thundered, silencing her. "Your bond to her is a weakness, one that must be eradicated. Do not let sentiment cloud your purpose."
---
The chamber darkened further, the council's presence receding into the shadows. Alone now, Raven stood before a massive, cracked mirror that reflected not her image, but a swirling abyss of darkness.
"You doubt yourself."
The voice came from the mirror, a whisper that coiled around her like a serpent. Raven's eyes narrowed. "I doubt nothing."
The abyss in the mirror churned, forming the vague outline of a figure. "The Bearer grows stronger with each passing moment. If you wait, the Light will consume us all."
Raven stepped closer, her reflection flickering as though she were caught between two worlds. "What do you suggest?"
"Strike at her heart," the voice hissed. "Take what she holds most dear. Break her spirit, and the Light will follow."
A cruel smile spread across Raven's face. "Yes… That will do nicely."
---
The Plan in Motion
Raven emerged from the fortress into the cold night air, her mind racing with plans. The pendant's power was growing, but it was tied to Amara's resolve. To weaken her, Raven needed to exploit her vulnerabilities.
She conjured a shadowy raven, its eyes glowing faintly as it perched on her outstretched arm. "Find them," she commanded. "And bring me what I need."
The raven took flight, vanishing into the night.
---
Elsewhere: A Fateful Discovery
Amara, Seris, and Kael trudged through a dense forest, the glow of the pendant lighting their path. The weight of their encounter with Raven hung over them like a storm cloud.
"We need to move faster," Seris said, her voice tight with urgency. "Raven won't give up so easily."
Kael sighed, brushing a branch out of his way. "We've been moving non-stop. Even warriors need to rest."
Amara stayed silent, her thoughts consumed by the memory of Raven's taunts. Strike at her heart… The words echoed in her mind, leaving her uneasy.
As they pressed on, the shadowy raven watched from above, unseen. It followed them for hours, waiting for the perfect moment.
---
The Attack
Night fell, and the trio set up camp in a small clearing. The fire crackled softly, its light casting long shadows across the forest floor.
Kael was on watch, his sword resting across his knees. Seris slept lightly, her hand never straying far from her blade. Amara sat apart, the pendant clutched in her hands.
Suddenly, the fire flickered and died, plunging the camp into darkness.
"Something's wrong," Kael said, rising to his feet.
Before he could react, the shadowy raven swooped down, its talons glowing with dark energy. It struck Kael, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Kael!" Amara shouted, scrambling to her feet.
Seris was already awake, her blade drawn. She slashed at the raven, but her attacks passed through its insubstantial form.
The raven let out a piercing cry, and the shadows around them began to writhe. Figures emerged from the darkness—Ember Shadow assassins, their eyes glowing with malice.
"Ambush!" Seris yelled, engaging the nearest attacker.
Amara raised the pendant, its light driving back some of the shadows, but the assassins pressed in, their movements swift and deadly.
---
A Devastating Blow
As the battle raged, the shadowy raven circled above, its glowing eyes fixed on Amara. With a shriek, it dove toward her, aiming for the pendant.
Amara tried to shield it, but the raven struck her chest, sending a surge of dark energy through her body. She fell to her knees, gasping for breath.
"Amara!" Kael shouted, charging toward her.
But before he could reach her, the assassins closed in, forcing him back.
The raven perched on a branch, watching as its work unfolded. Then, with a final, echoing cry, it vanished into the night.
Amara struggled to her feet, the pendant's light flickering weakly. She looked around, her heart sinking.
"Where's the crystal?" she whispered.
It was gone.
---
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