The woman's eyes burned with dark fire as she stepped closer to Marcus.
Her presence was overwhelming, pressing against his mind like a physical weight. The dark energy surged through her, pulsing with ancient power.
"I am the guardian of the core," she said, her voice echoing with power. "I've been waiting for you."
Marcus raised his weapon, his finger on the trigger. "Then I'll destroy you. I'll destroy all of you."
The woman laughed, a hollow, terrible sound. "You can't destroy me, Marcus. I'm not human. I'm not like you."
Marcus felt the dark energy surge through him, reaching out to the woman. The two sources were connected, their power intertwined.
"Let me help you," Marcus said. "Let me show you another way."
The woman shook her head. "There is no other way. This is who I am
