The air crackled with tension as we stood our ground, facing the shadows. My heart raced, but the warmth of the Crystal shard in my hand gave me courage. I could feel Zara and Lukas beside me, their energy pulsing in sync with mine.
"What are they?" Zara whispered, her voice barely audible.
As if in answer, the shadows began to take shape. Twisted, ethereal forms emerged from the darkness, their bodies a swirling mass of inky blackness. Red eyes glowed with malevolent intent, fixed upon the shards we held.
"Blight spirits," Lukas breathed, his voice a mix of awe and fear. "I've only read about them in the oldest texts."
I raised my shard, its light pulsing brighter in response to the threat. "Stay close," I ordered, my mind racing to recall everything I'd learned about our new powers.
