chamber shook with a guttural rumble, like stone grinding on bone. Shadows lashed in from all directions, too many to track, too many to cut down. Alina’s lungs burned, her arm blazed, and still the mark pulsed harder, beating with its own will.
Kael’s blade flared silver as it cleaved through another tendril, but each slice only seemed to multiply them. Sweat glistened on his temples, his jaw clenched with unyielding focus.
“It’s drawing strength from her,” he barked, eyes flicking to Alina. “We’re not killing them fast enough.”
Riven ducked a strike and countered with brutal elegance, his dagger spinning in his hand before it drove deep into the dark mass. He laughed, sharp and reckless.
"Maybe that’s the point, brother. Maybe she’s supposed to feed it until it can’t hold itself to
