The air cracked with energy as Damian charged again, his blade of shadows humming with deadly purpose.
Selena barely had time to block, summoning a golden shield just in time. The impact sent her skidding backward across the obsidian floor, her arms shaking from the force.
“Damian!” she cried. “This isn’t you!”
He didn’t respond. His face remained expressionless, his movements sharp and efficient, like a soldier following orders without thought.
Selena’s heart screamed.
This wasn’t him.
It couldn’t be.
Golden fire roared in her palms as she pushed off the ground, spinning to deflect his next strike. The shadows slashed at her, grazing her arm—cold, biting, poisonous.
She hissed, clutching the wound, but forced herself to stand tall.
“I know you’re still in there,” she said, her vo
