Chapter 94: Descent into Darkness

Lysandra's scream echoed in the void as she plunged into the darkness below. The sensation of falling seemed endless, with only the rush of air and her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.

Just as she was about to surrender to the abyss, she felt a firm hand wrap around her wrist. "I've got you!" Kael's voice called out, strained with effort.

He held her tightly, his other hand clinging to the edge of the chasm. The fissure in the fortress seemed to stretch endlessly into the depths below, with no signs of a bottom.

"Kael!" Lysandra gasped, relief and terror mixing in her voice as she clutched his arm. "Pull us up!"

With a groan of effort, Kael heaved them up inch by inch. Lysandra's legs scraped against the rocky walls, and she helped push herself upward, her determination burning as fiercely as the pain. Finally, with one final pull, Kael managed to drag them both back to solid ground.

They collapsed together, breathing heavily as the adrenaline began to subside. Lysandra glanced over at him, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "You saved me again."

Kael grinned, though his expression was tinged with exhaustion. "I told you, I'm not letting you face any of this alone."

But their respite was short-lived. A deep rumbling sound came from the fissure behind them, and Lysandra's gaze shot back to the dark chasm. The blackness seemed to pulse and swell, like something was stirring within it, something alive.

"Whatever that is," Kael said, his voice laced with apprehension, "it's coming for us."

Lysandra stood, forcing herself to stay calm even as the fear clawed at her. She gripped Kael's hand, pulling him to his feet. "We need to find Zephyrion. We're not out of danger yet."

As they ran through the crumbling corridors, Lysandra couldn't shake the feeling that the darkness was following them, creeping ever closer. Her pulse quickened when the air around them grew colder, the temperature dropping with every step they took.

"Kael, do you feel that?" she whispered, her breath forming a thin mist in the air.

He nodded. "It's like the fortress itself is…draining our energy."

Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness ahead, blocking their path. Lysandra and Kael skidded to a halt, staring at the figure. As it stepped closer, its form became clearer. It wasn't one of Elara's minions; it was Zephyrion, but his appearance was different. His usually vibrant eyes were dim, and a dark aura surrounded him.

"Zephyrion?" Lysandra called out cautiously, taking a step forward. "What's happening to you?"

He looked at them, his gaze vacant, almost as if he didn't recognize them. "You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice flat and lifeless.

Kael clenched his fists. "Snap out of it, Zephyrion! We need to get out of here before—"

But before he could finish, Zephyrion raised a hand, and a surge of dark magic erupted from him, lashing out toward Lysandra and Kael. They barely dodged in time, the blast striking the wall behind them and sending shards of stone flying.

"Zephyrion, stop!" Lysandra shouted, desperation creeping into her voice. "It's us! Don't you recognize us?"

His eyes flickered for a moment, as though something inside him was struggling to break free. "Leave," he muttered. "The darkness... it's consuming me."

Lysandra took a step closer, determination in her voice. "We won't leave you behind. Whatever hold Elara has on you, we'll break it."

Kael glanced at her, his voice low and urgent. "Lysandra, be careful. He's not himself."

As if hearing their conversation, Zephyrion's expression twisted into a grimace of pain. He clutched his head as if trying to fight something off. "You… need to run… before it's too late."

Lysandra's heart ached seeing her friend in such torment. "We're not going anywhere without you," she declared, reaching out her hand toward him. "You're stronger than this, Zephyrion. Fight back!"

The darkness around him seemed to throb, as though resisting her words. But then, Zephyrion's eyes met hers, and she saw a spark of the friend she knew shining through the darkness. "Lysandra…" he whispered, his voice filled with anguish.

But before she could reach him, a powerful force tore him away, dragging him back into the shadows. Lysandra and Kael lunged forward, but it was too late. Zephyrion was gone, swallowed by the darkness.

"No!" Lysandra cried, frustration and sorrow overwhelming her. She collapsed to her knees, the weight of the loss pressing down on her.

Kael knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll get him back," he assured her. "This isn't the end."

But as they stood there, staring into the abyss, a chilling voice echoed from the depths. "Your friend belongs to the darkness now. And soon, you will too."

The realization hit them hard—Elara's influence was spreading, and they had only just begun to uncover the true extent of her power.

To be continued...