A heavy tension charged the air as Liam watched in horror when the woman stepped forward, her form fully unmasked now. Her eyes shone with a dark, insatiable hunger as she glanced about at the chaos. "You're finally embracing your true potential, Liam," she said, her voice dripping with venomous delight. "But it won't save you.
"Ava!" he shouted, again, desperation tight in his chest as he focused on the shadowy tendrils ensnaring her. He felt the link between them sputter, a weak light pulsating against the oppression of darkness.
"Fight, Liam!" Ava cried, her voice straining. "You can't give in! You have to—"
She had raised her hand before she could say more, and the tugging of the shadows grew more determined in their clutch of Ava. The shadows tugged her backwards, pulling her back
