The shadow of the creature became clearer, its towering figure forming a dark silhouette that almost merged with the surrounding darkness. Its glowing red eyes pierced through them, radiating an unspoken hatred. The creature's large hand was raised, creating vibrations that made the floor shake more violently. A low, terrifying laugh escaped its lips, echoing throughout the room.
"You've come too far to survive," the creature's voice boomed, like an explosion pressing the air around them. "I am the shadow that you will never escape."
Ethan gripped his sword tightly, his eyes sharp and determined. "We've been through too much. Nothing can stop us now."
Rowan summoned the fire in his hands once again, the flames gleaming like the midday sun. "If you think we'll give up, you're dead wrong!"
Lila raised her hand, creating a complex illusion that enveloped the entire room, generating moving shadows to confuse the enemy. "You won't win with tricks like this," she said confidently.
But the creature only smiled cynically. "Illusions? Fire? You're too naïve," it said, clenching its fist, releasing dark energy that easily tore through Lila's illusions. Without warning, the wave of dark energy swept toward them, striking with immense power.
Before they could move, the energy hit Asha. Her body was thrown backward, soaring several meters before crashing hard onto the cold floor. Everyone was shocked at the sight. Asha lay still, her face pale, and blood began to flow from her wounds.
"Asha!" Lila screamed, running toward her. Rowan and Ethan quickly followed, their faces filled with concern.
Asha gasped for breath, trying to lift her stiff body. "I'm fine," she said weakly, though the pain was unmistakable. Her once confident eyes now looked weak, and her body trembled.
"Don't overdo it, Asha," Ethan said, his voice firm yet betraying the tension he couldn't hide. "You need to fall back. Let us handle this."
But Asha shook her head, trying to stand despite the blood pouring from her wounds. "No... I'm going to fight," she answered, her voice full of resolve, though her body was incredibly weak.
The creature only laughed at their determination. "So brave... but you know it's futile. You cannot win."
Without giving them time to prepare, the creature raised its hand high, releasing a stronger wave of dark energy toward them. The tension mounted as they braced themselves, but Asha felt an odd strength rise within her.
With the little energy she had left, Asha thrust her hand forward, channeling her remaining healing power to create a light shield in an attempt to block the attack. However, the attack was too strong, and her shield shattered quickly.
"Asha!" Rowan screamed, rushing to protect her. But the attack struck Asha squarely, and her body was hurled back to the ground, slammed by an unstoppable force.
Ethan and the others panicked. Asha lay motionless, her face pale from the pain and blood loss.
"She... she's badly hurt!" Lila cried, rushing to Asha's side, tears in her eyes from worry.
"Asha, hold on!" Ethan shouted hoarsely, trying to grab Asha's hand. "Don't leave us now!"
But Asha could only smile weakly, her face covered in wounds. "You... must keep fighting..." she whispered, her voice faint. "Don't let this world fall into the hands of darkness."
With her last effort, Asha tried to comfort her friends, but her breath grew heavier. Everyone fell silent, feeling the growing tension.
The creature raised its hand again, and the air grew even more oppressive. "The time has come," it said, its voice full of menace.
This battle had reached a critical point, and they had to find a way to defeat this creature, or lose even more.
Asha, gravely wounded, had now become a symbol of sacrifice in the increasingly inevitable battle.