Glimmer of Hope

Liora's world teetered on the brink between mystical planes. Though her physical form lay drained of lifeforce, her spirit clung desperately to the ethereal cord connecting it to her now-silent heart. She poured memories of joy and unity into that fragile lifeline, nourishing it in defiance of the endless void yawning wide just beneath.

From realms afar came urgent counsel...Elara's soothing yet alarmed voice urging her to maintain focus as the Sanctuary foundations trembled. Liora sensed ruinous demons assailing the sacred site in endless waves, their numbers and ferocity growing as the nether portal expanded.

Swirling shadows closed around Liora's limp body where glazed eyes stared unseeing. Periena hovered above, writhing in the throes of chaotic forced loyalty, abyssal energies coiling about her. "Now...claim your reward!" came the harsh whisper. Liora recognized with despair the Ashen Grimoire's consciousness spurring its host towards lethal victory.

Periena raised a trembling, unwilling hand as violet flames sprang forth, lashing her apprentice's defenseless form without mercy. Liora channeled every last scintilla of essence down the fraying tether before her body surrendered fully to consuming fire...

...and a thunderous pulse blasted outward from Liora's heart, knocking the corrupted guardian flat. Blinding auroric light poured forth in defiance of the hungry shadows' toll, forging gleaming armor about Liora's broken body. Where moments ago lay but a shell now stood Vigil, Last Guardian of the Sanctuary and inheritor to the ancients' sworn oath.

Regaining her bearings amidst the psychic maelstrom, Liora turned to gaze down with infinite compassion at her beloved mentor, so twisted by forces beyond her control. In place of righteous fury settled only lament for a blameless soul condemned through patient treachery.

Kneeling silently amidst the rubble, Liora extended hands coursing with unrestrained power towards the flinching woman. Healing warmth suffused Periena's ravaged form, purging the vile consciousness while reinforcing weakened defenses with immutable light. Screaming protests echoed from the Ashen Grimoire as compulsions over its host evaporated.

When Liora withdrew the cleansing torrent, Periena collapsed limply with tears tracing down ashen cheeks...the insidious parasite's control broken if only for moments. "Liora...I failed you as guide...but you now shine brighter than my teachings ever aspired towards." Her expression held only joy for this victory despite encroaching demise.

With trembling fingers Periena offered a crystalline pendant on a silver chain, its geometry intricate and beautiful. "The Sanctuary anchor bound as Elara foresaw so long ago. Go now and save existence as I could not..." Her words trailed off as strength rapidly faded, the backlash of resisting the sentient grimoire's possession taking final toll.

Cradling her dear mentor close, Liora murmured soft words of comfort until the light left Periena's eyes. Bowing her head with silent tears in the wake of fate's cruelty, she swore to honor the valiant woman through victory this day.

Donning the pendant and hefting sword skyward, tendrils of mist enfolded Liora's gleaming form as Periena's borrowed time elapsed. Jaws of abyssal beasts shut only upon absence...for Eldoria's champion had withdrawn back along taut filaments towards Elara's besieged bastion. If the horde could not claim her lifeforce, they would feast next upon all she held dear!