Xander stood motionless in the darkened forest, Lilith's words echoing in his mind like a persistent whisper. He had always been a fighter, but this? This was different. The power stirring inside him wasn't just strength—it was an entity of its own, pushing him toward something darker.
"They'll turn on you eventually. It's only a matter of time."
Xander clenched his fists, fighting back the instinct to let the power consume him. He couldn't afford to lose control—not now. He needed his allies, needed to stay grounded.
With a deep breath, he shook off Lilith's lingering presence and turned back toward the camp. The moonlight filtered through the trees as he made his way back, but even the gentle light seemed distant now.
A Growing Rift
When Xander returned to camp, he found Celestia and Aria sitting by the fire, their conversation halting when they saw him approach.
"You okay?" Celestia asked, her eyes searching his face with quiet concern. The ethereal glow from her wings cast soft shadows across her features, her gentleness always grounding him.
"Just needed a moment," Xander replied. He tried to force a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He could see the worry in her gaze, and something gnawed at him. Would she still trust him after what had just happened?
Aria didn't speak immediately, but her piercing gaze lingered on him. She was always hard to read, but there was no denying the tension in the air between them.
"You didn't have to do it alone, you know," Aria said after a long pause, her voice softer than usual. "We're all in this together. But you can't keep pushing us away."
Xander sat down next to them, his eyes drifting to the fire as he processed her words. He wanted to say something in response, but a weight pressed on his chest, making the words difficult to form.
"I know," he muttered. "I don't want to be a liability."
"You're not," Celestia reassured him. "But you need to let us help you. The path ahead is dangerous, and if we're going to make it through, we need to trust each other."
Xander nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. They were right, but the darkness inside him… it felt like a force beyond his control. How could he rely on others when he feared what he might become?
The Quiet Threat
The next morning, the tension between the group was still palpable. The Shadowlands stretched out before them, a place of hidden dangers and even darker secrets. They had no choice but to press forward.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with an unsettling stillness. Not a bird chirped, not a leaf rustled. It was as though the very world around them was holding its breath.
Suddenly, a rustling noise came from behind them. Before anyone could react, a shadow darted out of the trees, a figure cloaked in black armor. It moved with the speed of a predator, its eyes gleaming with malevolent intent.
"Stay back!" Xander shouted, instinctively stepping forward to protect his friends.
The figure laughed, a low, mocking sound that sent a chill down Xander's spine. "Such courage," the voice said, muffled by the helmet. "But you're too late."
The figure threw back its cloak, revealing a familiar insignia on the chest—one that Xander recognized all too well.
"Galen," Xander growled, his heart sinking. It was the same mercenary group he had once been a part of. They were no allies—only enemies now.
"We've been watching you," Galen said, his voice cold and calculating. "Your power… it's a gift, but it's also a curse. And we're here to make sure it's controlled."
Before Xander could react, the air around him seemed to ripple, and suddenly, they were surrounded by more figures. Galen's mercenaries.
"Get ready," Aria whispered, drawing her blades. "Looks like we have company."
Xander's heart raced, and the darkness inside him stirred once more. He felt the familiar heat of power rising within him, a dangerous energy just waiting to be unleashed. But this time, he fought it down. He couldn't let the anger control him.
"We don't have time for this," Celestia said firmly, her wings spreading wide. "Xander, we can't let them get the upper hand."
Xander nodded, trying to focus on the present, not on the voices in his head. "Then let's make sure they don't."
The Battle Begins
Without warning, the mercenaries lunged. Galen himself was at the front, his sword gleaming with dark energy. Xander was fast, moving to meet him with the same swift precision, his black flames flickering dangerously at his sword's edge.
The clash was violent, steel ringing against steel as Xander met Galen's strike with one of his own. The force sent shockwaves through the ground, but Xander barely flinched.
Aria and Celestia engaged the other mercenaries, their movements fluid and coordinated. Aria's blades flashed in the sunlight as she took down one after another, while Celestia's light magic illuminated the battlefield, disorienting their attackers.
"Keep pushing!" Aria shouted as one of the mercenaries tried to flank Xander. With a swift motion, she cut them down before they could reach him.
Xander gritted his teeth as he fought off Galen's relentless strikes. His heart was pounding, and the darkness was pressing against his mind. But he could feel it—he could control it. If he stayed focused, he could win.
The battle raged on, and for a moment, it seemed like victory was within reach. Galen's mercenaries were beginning to falter, but Xander's mind remained sharp, the power inside him a constant reminder of what he was capable of.