The shadow's realm was a place of absolute stillness.
Ethan had been there for what felt like years, though time moved differently in the void. There were no days, no nights, no markers to measure the passage of existence. Just the endless darkness and the cold presence of the shadow that watched him from the depths.
"You are growing weary," the shadow said, its voice a whisper that seemed to come from everywhere at once. "I can feel it. Your hope is fading. Your will is weakening."
Ethan didn't answer. He sat in the center of the void, his consciousness folded in on itself, trying to preserve his strength. The light within him flickered like a candle in a storm, but it refused to go out.
"You cannot hold on forever," the shadow continued. "You are mortal. You have limits. I am eternal
