afraid

The shadows surged, but this time I wasn't afraid. The crystal pulsed in my palm, but instead of letting it overwhelm me, I channeled the power, focusing it. I could feel the energy bubbling beneath the surface, a dark and powerful force that had the potential to consume everything if I let it. But I wouldn't. Not this time.

Raven stood beside me, her sword gleaming in the dim light of the temple, and Leif and Zara flanked us, their weapons drawn. We had faced unimaginable horrors to get here, and now we were standing before the embodiment of everything we had fought against—the entity. Its form twisted and coiled, made up of writhing shadows that seemed to shift with every heartbeat, and its eyes glowed with a hatred so palpable it sent chills down my spine.

This was it—the final confrontation.