The chamber erupted into chaos as Cassian and his team launched their attack. The guards moved with unnerving precision, their corrupted strength making them formidable opponents. Cassian's sword clashed against darkened steel as he fought to clear a path to the Heart of Solara. Anica darted between the guards, her agility and cunning giving her the upper hand. She managed to disable one guard by striking the glowing rune on its chest, a weak point she quickly relayed to the others.

"Go for the runes!" she shouted. "It's their lifeline!"

Cassian seized the opening, driving his blade into a guard's chest. The rune shattered, and the guard crumbled into ash. But for every guard they defeated, another seemed to take its place.

Outside, Aurora staggered, the weight of the Pact's instability bearing down on her. She could feel the battle slipping away, the Lycan King's influence spreading like a poison through the air. Erya appeared at her side, his expression grim as he supported her. "You can't keep this up," he said. "You'll kill yourself before the fight's over."

"I have to," Aurora replied, her voice trembling with determination. "If I stop, the Pact will fall apart."

The construct roared, its corrupted energy surging as it swatted wolves aside like insects. Aurora summoned a beam of light to counter it, the effort tearing a cry of pain from her lips. In her mind, Solara's voice grew louder, urging her to act before it was too late.

Back in the chamber, Cassian broke through the final line of guards, standing before the Heart of Solara. The artifact's light pulsed weakly, its energy ensnared by tendrils of shadow magic. Cassian hesitated for a brief moment, the enormity of the situation sinking in. Anica joined him, her breath ragged. "We need to sever those tendrils," she said, pointing to the dark energy binding the Heart. "But doing that will draw the Lycan King straight to us."noveldrama

"Then we hold our ground," Cassian said, his grip tightening on his weapon. "No matter what it takes."