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Mark's heartbeat pounded violently in his chest, and every beat seemed to remind him that the enemy in front of him was no small matter. It was a huge creature with a vague outline, exuding a thick dark aura around it, making people feel a suffocating oppression. The air in the cave seemed to solidify, and the tense atmosphere made it almost impossible to breathe. The ground shook more violently, and gravel kept falling from the top of the cave, shining like a meteor under the light of the crystal stone.

"Be careful!" Mark said in a deep voice. His voice was particularly clear in the vibrating cave, as if it could penetrate the rocks and reach people's hearts. He wiped the sweat from his palms, stared at the huge black shadow, and prepared for the battle.

Albert walked to the red-haired woman and stood side by side with her in front of the crystal stone, with a solemn expression. He stretched out his right hand, palm up, and muttered something. A golden magic circle slowly unfolded under his feet, emitting a soft light. He took a deep breath, stared firmly at the front, ready to meet the upcoming battle. The red-haired woman held the dagger across her chest, her eyes sharp, like a hunting cheetah, full of aggression. She held her breath, listened carefully to the movements around her, and was ready to deal with possible dangers at any time. The light of the crystal stone reflected on her face, making her look even more mysterious.

Mark stood in front of Albert and the red-haired woman and faced the shadow. He took a deep breath and condensed the energy in his body into a fire sword. The sword body emitted a dazzling light, illuminating a small area around. He stared at the shadow's every move with a sharp gaze, not daring to relax at all.

The shadow slammed into Mark at an astonishing speed, like a black lightning, with a powerful impact. Mark only felt a huge force hitting his chest, he groaned, and the energy sword in his hand almost collapsed. He was knocked out and hit the wall of the cave heavily, making a muffled sound. He felt as if all the bones in his body were falling apart, and the severe pain made it almost impossible for him to breathe. He struggled to stand up, but found that his body was out of control and he could only collapse to the ground helplessly.

Seeing this, the red-haired woman flew up, and the dagger in her hand turned into a silver light, piercing the black shadow's eyes. Her movements were as swift as the wind, like a cheetah pouncing on its prey, with a fierce murderous aura. However, the black shadow was faster, and it slapped the red-haired woman with a slap, like slapping a fly, and slapped her out. The red-haired woman groaned in pain and hit the crystal stone heavily. The light of the crystal stone flickered for a while, then dimmed, and the cave became darker.

Albert took advantage of the opportunity when the black shadow attacked the red-haired woman and recited the spell quickly. His voice was low and powerful, with a strange rhythm, echoing in the vibrating cave. A golden light shot out from the magic circle, like a sharp arrow, shooting at the black shadow.

The black shadow screamed, and its body paused slightly, as if it was hurt by the golden light. It roared angrily, and its voice was full of pain and hatred.

Taking this opportunity, Mark struggled to get up. He gritted his teeth, endured the pain in his body, and rushed towards the shadow again. The sword emitted a dazzling light, like a flash of lightning, cutting through the darkness. He stabbed the shadow's abdomen with a sword, and blood gushed out, splashing on his face and body.

The shadow roared, grabbed Mark with the sword, and threw him out like a toy. Mark fell heavily to the ground and groaned. He felt that his internal organs were displaced, and the severe pain almost made him lose consciousness. The strengthened body was completely ineffective at this moment.

Mark's vision began to blur, and only his own panting and the angry roar of the shadow were in his ears. He tried to concentrate, but the pain in his body made it difficult for him to stay awake. He knew that if he gave up now, everything would be over. He used up his last strength and tried to stand up again, but his body seemed to be bound by a thousand-pound chain and could not move.

At this moment, he felt a warm force coming from the ground. Just now, when he was knocked away by the black shadow, a mouthful of blood was absorbed by the crystal. The crystal was instantly like being engraved with Mark's attributes, turning into a stream of energy and being absorbed by Mark. A trace of determination flashed in Mark's eyes. He took a deep breath and directed this power to his limbs. His body began to emit a faint light.

Mark slowly stood up. Although his body was still in pain, his heart was full of strength. He raised the energy sword in his hand again, and the light of the sword was more dazzling than before, as if to illuminate the entire cave.

The black shadow seemed to have sensed Mark's changes. It stopped and looked at Mark vigilantly. Mark did not give it any chance. He shouted and rushed towards the black shadow, with the tip of the sword pointing directly at the heart of the black shadow. The black shadow tried to dodge, but Mark was faster, and his figure left a trail of afterimages in the cave.

The tip of the sword penetrated the black shadow's body, and the black shadow let out a shrill scream, and the whole cave was shaken. Mark did not stop. He put all his strength into this attack. The body of the black shadow began to disintegrate, turning into wisps of black smoke and finally dissipating into the air.

The cave returned to calm, leaving only Mark's heavy breathing. He looked at the energy sword in his hand, its light gradually dissipated and finally disappeared.

Mark turned around, walked towards Albert and the red-haired woman, and stretched out his hand to pull them up from the ground.

Albert slowly opened his eyes, and he stood up shakily with the help of the wall, feeling dizzy. The attack of the black shadow just now had a great impact on him, and the energy in his body was almost exhausted. He took a deep breath, adjusted his disordered breathing, and his eyes fell on the red-haired woman. The red-haired woman leaned against the mountain wall, her face was pale, and there was a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. Obviously, she was also injured.

Mark walked to the red-haired woman and asked with concern: "How are you?" His voice was low and soft, with a trace of imperceptible concern.

The red-haired woman shook her head gently, covered her chest with her hands, coughed a few times, and said, "I'm fine, just a little injured." Her voice was a little weak, but her tone was firm. She raised her head and looked at Mark, her eyes full of gratitude. "Thank you for saving me."

Mark smiled slightly and said, "You're welcome. We are now on the same boat and should help each other." His eyes turned to the depths of the cave, and a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes. "We have to leave here as soon as possible. It's too dangerous here."

The red-haired woman looked in the direction where the crystal stone dissipated and said to Mark, "Thank you for freeing my ancestors. My mission is completed and I should go too!"

Seeing this, Mark hurriedly supported her and said, "You are injured. Let's repair it first."

The red-haired woman shook her head and said softly, "My wish has come true and I will soon dissipate!"

Mark was shocked. He always thought that the red-haired woman was a living person. "You, you, are you also possessed by a soul like those monsters?"

The red-haired woman nodded and said, "Yes, Mark, I am also possessed by a soul, but I am special and can stay awake!"

There was a trace of relief in her eyes. "Mark, this is destined. My mission has been completed, and my existence will also dissipate."

"Mark, I hope you remember my name, my name is Arya!"

Arya smiled, her eyes stayed on Mark and Albert's faces for a moment, and then slowly closed her eyes. "Remember, no matter what the future holds, our courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten."

As the last sentence fell, Arya's body turned into countless light points, like stars in the night sky, slowly dissipating in the air.

Only Mark and Albert were left in the cave.