Chapter 143

I braced myself as the surge of dark energy shot toward me, cold and suffocating, like drowning in a sea of shadows. Emily's power was overwhelming, more intense than anything I'd ever felt before. But I had to push through. I had to fight it.

With all the strength I could muster, I reached out for the gem, my fingers grazing its cold, glowing surface. The moment I touched it, a shockwave of energy burst through me. It was like fire and ice running through my veins all at once, but there was something deeper. The red gem pulsed with a strange warmth, a distant echo of something ancient, something strong, and it pushed back against the darkness Emily had sent my way.

But Emily wasn't done. She raised her hand, her eyes narrowing as she sent another wave of black energy crashing toward me. This time, it was like a tidal wave, crushing me under its weight. The room around me twisted and blurred as if reality itself was being torn apart by her power.