The tension was palpable as Arion, Lirael, and Thalric crouched behind the crumbled wall, watching the creatures patrol the city square. The dark energy of the rift crackled in the air, distorting the world around it. Time itself seemed to slow and warp, the edges of reality bending under the weight of the magic.

Arion's pulse raced as he gripped the Blade of Ra'zien tighter, the sword humming with anticipation. It felt like a living thing in his hand, its dark magic resonating with the energy of the rift. He could almost hear it whispering to him, urging him to act, to unleash its full power.

"Remember, we need a distraction," Thalric whispered, his eyes scanning the army of creatures guarding the rift. "Lirael and I will draw them away. You make your move for the anchor."

Arion nodded, his throat tight with nerves. His gaze flickered to the stone pedestal in the center of the square, where the glowing anchor pulsed with unnatural light. The air around it shimmered with magic, and he could feel the overwhelming power emanating from it.

Lirael turned to him, her hand briefly touching his arm. "Be careful. Once you're inside the rift’s magic, it’s going to be unstable. Don’t let the Blade take you too deep into it."

He met her eyes, her concern evident despite the calm, determined expression she wore. “I’ll be careful. Just make sure I have a way out.”

With that, Lirael and Thalric crept around the wall, positioning themselves on opposite sides of the square. Arion stayed low, watching them prepare for the distraction. His heart pounded in his chest. The moment they drew the creatures away, he would have to act fast. There would be no second chances.

Thalric raised his hand, signaling to Arion. Then, without warning, he hurled a blast of magic toward the far side of the square. The energy exploded against a ruined building, sending debris flying and catching the attention of the nearest creatures. They turned with growls, their glowing eyes fixating on the source of the disturbance.

Lirael followed suit, her arrows whistling through the air and striking two of the creatures in quick succession. They roared in pain, their snarls echoing through the square as they charged toward her.

The distraction worked. Most of the creatures turned their attention toward Thalric and Lirael, leaving the path to the rift momentarily unguarded.

Now.

Arion sprinted from his hiding spot, keeping low as he darted across the square. His breath came in sharp bursts, his every sense heightened by the magic swirling around him. The Blade of Ra'zien hummed louder, its power feeding off the proximity to the rift.

He could feel the oppressive energy pressing against him as he neared the rift. The closer he got, the more the world seemed to shift and blur. The creatures around him moved like shadows, their shapes distorting in his peripheral vision. His heart raced as he reached the stone pedestal at the center of the vortex.

The anchor pulsed before him—a dark, crystalline structure glowing with otherworldly energy. It was larger than he had expected, its surface covered in jagged, black veins that pulsed with light. The power radiating from it was overwhelming, nearly suffocating.

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Arion raised the Blade of Ra'zien, the runes along its edge flaring with dark energy. The sword vibrated in his hand, eager to strike, as if it too sensed the importance of this moment.

But as he prepared to destroy the anchor, a sudden chill washed over him.

A voice—a low, sinister whisper—echoed in his mind.

You think you can sever my power so easily?

Arion froze, his grip tightening on the blade. The voice was unlike anything he had ever heard. It was ancient, filled with malice and authority. It felt as if the very darkness of the Abyss was speaking to him.

He looked around, his heart pounding. There was no one there—only the swirling magic of the rift and the distant sounds of battle where Lirael and Thalric fought. But the voice lingered in the air, curling around him like smoke.

I see you, mortal. The blade you carry is mine. Its power will bend to my will, as will you.

Arion’s breath caught in his throat. The Shadow King. He could feel the presence now, pressing in on him from every direction. The dark energy of the rift surged, as if the gateway itself was reacting to the Shadow King’s influence.

You are nothing but a vessel. You cannot resist the call of the Abyss.

Arion gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He wasn’t just a vessel. He had a mission. The anchor had to be destroyed.

Ignoring the voice, he raised the Blade of Ra'zien once more and brought it down with all his strength onto the anchor. The sword’s dark energy met the crystal, and for a moment, there was a deafening silence.

Then, everything exploded.

The impact sent a shockwave of magic rippling through the air, the force knocking Arion off his feet and sending him sprawling. The world around him warped and twisted, the fabric of reality tearing apart as the rift destabilized. The creatures near the rift roared in agony as the energy of the gateway consumed them, their forms disintegrating into nothingness.

Arion struggled to his feet, his vision swimming. The anchor was shattered, its fragments glowing with residual energy, but the rift itself had become even more unstable. The swirling vortex of dark magic grew larger, its power spiraling out of control.

The voice of the Shadow King echoed once more, louder this time, filled with rage.

You dare defy me?! You will suffer for this, mortal. You will know the true depths of despair!

Arion staggered back, the power of the rift threatening to pull him in. The Blade of Ra'zien buzzed violently in his hand, its dark energy mingling with the rift’s chaos. He could feel the pull of the Abyss growing stronger, the temptation to give in to the darkness overwhelming.

But before he could be swallowed by the magic, a hand grabbed his arm.

"Arion!" Lirael's voice cut through the chaos, pulling him back to reality.

She yanked him away from the rift, her grip strong and steady. Thalric appeared on his other side, helping to drag him back toward the safety of the ruined buildings.

"We need to go, now!" Thalric shouted over the roar of the collapsing rift. "The gateway’s about to implode!"

They ran, the ground trembling beneath their feet as the rift’s magic spiraled out of control. The world around them blurred and distorted, but they didn’t stop. The sound of the rift collapsing grew louder, a deafening roar that shook the very air.

Just as they reached the edge of the square, the rift imploded.

The shockwave hit them like a tidal wave, throwing them to the ground. Arion rolled, gasping for breath as the force of the collapse washed over them. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a moment, the world went silent.

When the dust finally settled, Arion struggled to his feet, coughing and wiping dirt from his face. The rift was gone. The square was a smoldering ruin, the creatures that had guarded the rift reduced to ashes. But the air still crackled with residual magic, the remnants of the Shadow King's power lingering like a foul stench.

Arion looked at the Blade of Ra'zien, still clutched in his hand. Its dark energy had quieted, but he could feel the Shadow King’s presence, a faint whisper in the back of his mind.

"You did it," Lirael said, her voice hoarse but filled with relief. "The anchor is destroyed."

Arion nodded, though a deep unease settled in his chest. They had won this battle, but the Shadow King was far from defeated. And now, more than ever, he could feel the dark ruler’s gaze upon him.

They had only just begun.