Chapter 17: The Battle within

*Chapter 17: The Battle Within*

Eira knew she had to fight the darkness, but it seemed to be growing stronger by the minute. She could feel it spreading through her veins, tempting her with promises of power and destruction.

Lyra stood beside her, a look of concern etched on her face. "Eira, you must resist the darkness," she said. "It's not too late to turn back."

But Eira wasn't sure if she could. The darkness seemed to be a part of her now, a shadowy presence that lurked just beneath the surface.

She closed her eyes, focusing all her energy on the battle within. The darkness raged and screamed, trying to break free, but Eira stood firm.

Slowly, incrementally, she began to push the darkness back. It was a painstaking process, but she refused to.