Chapter 78: The Battle for Ellie

A crack split the air. The walls trembled. The air itself seemed to ripple as a force unseen collided within the room, sending books, furniture, and shards of broken glass flying.

Ben barely had time to move before an invisible shockwave slammed into his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. He hit the floor hard, pain lancing through his ribs.

But he didn't stop.

He couldn't stop.

Because Ellie was here.

She was fighting.

And whatever had taken over her body? It was fighting back with everything it had.

The thing inside Ellie arched back, her body convulsing as if something inside her was trying to tear its way out.

It snarled, eyes flashing with something inhuman.

"You—!" It turned to Ben, its face contorted in fury. "You're helping her, aren't you?"

Ben struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from his lip. His heart pounded, adrenaline surging through him.

"Damn right, I am," he spat.

The thing let out a horrible sound, something between a scream and a growl. The room shook again, and this time, the windows cracked, splintering into jagged lines.

Ben didn't care.

He would not stop.

Not until Ellie was back where she belonged.

He reached for her—not the body in front of him, but Ellie herself.

"Ellie, I know you're here!" he shouted. "You're stronger than this thing! You belong here, not it!"

The thing inside Ellie howled, gripping its head as if in agony.

"No!" It staggered back, its hands clawing at its own skin. "She can't—she won't—!"

But it was losing.

Ellie was pushing through.

And then—

A blast of white-hot energy ripped through the room.

Ben shielded his face as the entire space erupted with light.

The thing screamed, its voice twisting into something unnatural.

Then—

Silence.

Ben's ears rang as the light slowly faded. His breath came in heavy, shaking gasps as he lowered his arms, blinking against the sudden dimness.

And there, standing in the center of the destruction, was Ellie.

Her body—her true body—stood frozen, chest rising and falling erratically. Her eyes—once filled with something alien—were now filled with fear.

Ellie was back.

But something wasn't right.

Because she wasn't alone.

A shadow loomed behind her. It wasn't just a figure—it was a presence, something dark, ancient, and furious.

The thing hadn't been banished.

It had been separated.

And now?

It was free.

Ellie turned to face Ben, her lips parting in horror.

"Ben," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's still here."

Ben's blood ran cold.

Because whatever they had just unleashed wasn't going to go away quietly.

It wanted vengeance.

And now?

It was coming for them both.