The chamber erupted in chaos as Malrik's shadowy minions surged forward. Their forms were fluid and shifting, flickering between solid and intangible. Lucas, Eira, and Kade braced themselves, each facing the onslaught in their own way.
Eira darted ahead, her movements swift and precise. Her enchanted dagger glinted as it sliced through the nearest shadow, disrupting its form and forcing it to dissipate into smoke.
"To the core!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the chamber. "If we disrupt its power, we weaken him!"
Kade loosed arrow after arrow, each shot glowing faintly with enchantments. His aim was true, and every arrow struck with enough force to hold back the advancing tide of shadows.
"You're welcome for the cover fire!" he called out, his grin strained as he reached for another arrow.
Lucas planted himself between his companions and the core, his staff glowing with an intense light. He channeled his magic into a protective barrier, shielding them from the brunt of Malrik's attacks.
"Focus on the core," Lucas said, his voice steady despite the tension. "I'll hold him off."
Malrik laughed, the sound cold and mocking. "You think your paltry spells can stop me? The core feeds my power, boy. You're nothing but an annoyance."
He raised his hand, and a wave of dark energy surged toward Lucas.
Lucas reacted instinctively, raising his staff to counter the attack. The mark on his wrist flared, and a burst of light erupted from his staff, clashing with Malrik's magic in a blinding explosion.
The impact sent Lucas stumbling back, but he held his ground, his jaw clenched in determination.
"You're stronger than I expected," Malrik said, his eyes narrowing. "But that mark… It's not your power, is it? The curse is taking hold."
Lucas ignored him, focusing instead on his magic. He unleashed another blast of light, forcing Malrik to retreat a step.
"Keep him distracted!" Eira shouted, her attention fixed on the massive crystal at the center of the room.
Eira reached the core, her dagger glowing faintly as she prepared to strike. The closer she got, the more the air around her seemed to thrum with energy.
"This thing is alive," she muttered, her brow furrowing. "It's reacting to us."
"Destroy it quickly!" Kade called, loosing another arrow that exploded into a nearby shadow. "We're running out of time!"
Eira raised her dagger, aiming for the crystal's center. Just as she brought it down, a tendril of dark energy lashed out from the core, wrapping around her wrist and pulling her back.
"Eira!" Lucas shouted, his focus momentarily breaking.
Malrik smirked, his hand raised as he directed the core's energy. "Did you really think I'd leave it unguarded?"
Kade turned his attention to the core, firing a shot directly at the tendril holding Eira. The enchanted arrow struck true, severing the tendril and freeing her.
"Thanks!" Eira said, quickly regaining her footing.
"Don't mention it!" Kade replied, nocking another arrow. "Seriously, don't. I like my mysterious reputation."
Eira rolled her eyes but wasted no time. She plunged her dagger into the core, the enchanted blade glowing brightly as it made contact.
The room trembled, and the core let out a high-pitched wail. Cracks spread across its surface, and the pulsing energy within began to waver.
Malrik's expression darkened as he felt the shift in power. "No!" he snarled, directing his fury at Eira.
Lucas saw the attack coming and acted without thinking. He rushed forward, raising a barrier between Eira and Malrik's magic. The force of the impact sent him to his knees, but he held firm, his mark flaring brighter than ever.
The curse surged within him, and for a moment, he felt himself slipping. The whispers grew louder, and the edges of his vision darkened.
"Lucas!" Eira's voice cut through the noise, grounding him. "Don't let it take you!"
Lucas gritted his teeth, forcing the curse back into submission. "I'm fine!" he lied, his voice strained.
The core continued to crack, its energy spiraling out of control. Malrik's shadow minions began to falter, their forms flickering as the source of their power weakened.
"We're almost there!" Kade shouted, firing one last arrow at the core.
With a final, deafening crack, the core shattered, its energy exploding outward in a wave of blinding light. The shadows dissolved instantly, and Malrik staggered, his connection to the Spire severed.
Lucas, Eira, and Kade shielded themselves from the blast, the light fading slowly to reveal the aftermath. The crystal was gone, replaced by a smoking crater at the center of the room.
Malrik stood at the edge of the crater, his armor scorched and his expression furious. "You think this changes anything?" he growled. "You may have disrupted the Spire, but the curse still binds this realm. And now it binds you, Lucas."
Lucas stared at him, his chest heaving. "I'll end it," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of the mark on his wrist. "I'll end you."
Malrik's smirk returned, dark and knowing. "We'll see."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, leaving the trio alone in the ruined chamber.
Eira approached Lucas, her eyes filled with concern. "Lucas, are you—"
"I'm fine," he said quickly, though his trembling hands betrayed him.
Eira hesitated but didn't press further. Instead, she turned to Kade. "We need to regroup and figure out our next move. The Spire was only the beginning."
Kade nodded, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "Agreed. But next time, let's aim for a plan that doesn't almost kill us."
Lucas managed a weak smile, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The mark on his wrist pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the battle still to come.