Chapter 42: The Darkness Within

"You are wasting time" the man with silver eyes whispered, his voice insinuating humor. "Do you believe they can deliver you?"

I clenched my fists. "I can save myself."

His smirk deepened. "Can you?"

Then pain.

A piercing, searing pain shot through me as the darkness struck back, thrashing against me.

No. No, no, no.

I dropped to my knees, and my sight flickered between the real world and another dimension.

I saw Ethan. His face was a mask of fear, and he was clutching his hands as fists.

I saw Emilia. Her magic was flaring, but there was uncertainty in her eyes.

I saw myself.

Or rather, the thing I was becoming.

No, I refused.

I wouldn't become this.

I gritted my teeth and pushed the darkness back with every bit of strength I had left.

"You don't control me" I snarled through the pain.

The void around me shuddered.