The battlefield was silent. The remnants of Kaelthorn’s swamp faded like smoke in the wind, leaving only the scorched forest behind.
Zayn stood before May, shadow writhing around him, the Dark Spirit pulsating inside him like a living storm. His chest heaved. Pain, power, and destiny all collided in one moment.
“May…” he said, voice trembling but steady. “I… I have to do this. The Dark Spirit… I’ll absorb it. You have to seal it. After that… I’ll be gone. Maybe… forever.”
May’s eyes widened, her hands trembling slightly. “Zayn… no! You don’t have to do this alone. We can figure out another way!”
He shook his head, his shadows flickering. “No. There’s no other way. You know it. If anyone can hold it, it’s me… and if anyone can seal it, it’s you.”
Tears glimmered in her eyes, but she no
