Aileen stood in the center of the darkness, with black energy swirling around her like an impenetrable barrier. Her gaze was cold, and the once - familiar eyes were now filled with the haze of the abyss, making it difficult to discern her true emotions.
"Still struggling? It's meaningless," Aileen's voice echoed in the passage, full of endless mockery. "The power of the abyss is beyond your imagination. The more you resist, the faster your destruction will come."
Lucas wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, gripped his double blades tightly, and looked firmly at Aileen. "Maybe we can't match the abyss, but I won't let it devour you. You're our companion. No matter what the cost, we'll save you back!"
"Companion?" Aileen sneered, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "The bond between us was broken the moment you decided to turn your back on the abyss!"
"We didn't turn our backs on you!" Darlene shouted, with tears welling up in her eyes. "It's the abyss that took you! It's using you. Can't you see that yet?"
Aileen's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her calm. She raised her hand, and the dark energy around her began to contract rapidly, as if brewing a terrifying attack.
"Enough," she said in a low voice, with a hint of pain in her tone. "Don't make me hesitate anymore. If you want to stop me, then prove it with your actions."
The battle erupted suddenly.
Aileen suddenly waved her hand, and several dark blades shot out from her side, straight towards Lucas and the others. Lucas quickly rolled to avoid them, but one of the blades grazed his arm, causing a sharp pain. He gritted his teeth and persisted, his steps quickly approaching Aileen.
"Victor, cover me!" Lucas shouted.
Victor rushed forward without hesitation. His greatsword slashed towards Aileen like a furious thunderbolt. However, Aileen just waved her hand gently, and the dark energy turned into a solid barrier, blocking the greatsword. She struck back, and Victor was sent flying back several steps by the dark impact, with a huge crack appearing in the armor on his chest.
"Her power is too strong!" Victor gasped, shouting loudly.
Alton stood at the rear, his hands raised high, chanting incantations in a low voice. A soft golden light glowed around his body. This was a magic to dispel darkness. He had to complete the spell - casting within a short time, or the team would be completely in a difficult situation.
"Darlene, cover Alton!" Lucas commanded again.
Darlene quickly retreated, drew her bow, and an arrow with a silver light was nocked. Her goal was to interfere with Aileen and buy time for Alton. However, Aileen seemed to see through her intention. Dark tentacles stretched out from the ground, trying to entangle Darlene's legs.
"Don't even think about catching me!" Darlene leaped nimbly and almost completed the shot in mid - air. The silver arrow streaked across the sky, aiming straight for Aileen's shoulder.
Aileen sidestepped, and the arrow grazed her sleeve and embedded deeply into the wall. She snorted coldly, clasped her hands together, and the dark energy condensed into a huge vortex in front of her.
"Taste the wrath of the abyss!" She suddenly waved her hand, and the vortex exploded abruptly. Countless dark blades scattered in all directions.
### The Intense Battle
Lucas was forced back to the corner, his heart pounding like a drum. His body was approaching its limit, but he knew that he must not retreat now. His gaze swept towards Alton, and when he saw the golden light gradually taking shape, his heart was filled with excitement.
"Alton, almost done?" Lucas gasped.
Alton replied in a deep voice, "Just a little more! Hold on for another ten seconds!"
"Okay!" Lucas gritted his teeth and charged towards Aileen. He understood that only by getting close to her could he buy more time for the team.
When Aileen saw Lucas charging towards her, a strange emotion flashed in her eyes. She raised her hand, and the dark tentacles suddenly grabbed towards Lucas. However, just as the tentacles were about to entangle him, Lucas rolled to dodge with all his might, and his double blades sparked on the ground.
"Aileen!" Lucas roared. "If you still remember the bond between us, then stop!"
This shout seemed to penetrate the darkness and pierce Aileen's heart. Her movement paused slightly, and a struggle seemed to appear in her eyes. However, this momentary hesitation was quickly suppressed by the power of the abyss, and she regained her coldness.
"It's useless," Aileen said in a low voice, raising her hand to summon even more powerful dark energy. "The abyss has transformed me. I won't turn back."
"Golden Light Spear!"
Just as Aileen was about to launch an attack, Alton finally completed the spell - casting. A dazzling golden light was released from his hand, turning into a huge spear and stabbing straight towards Aileen.
Aileen was shocked. She quickly summoned a dark barrier to try to block it, but the Golden Light Spear penetrated the barrier and stabbed her left shoulder. Her body was sent flying back several steps, and the dark energy fluctuated violently.
"Ah!" Aileen let out a cry of pain. She knelt on one knee, covering her injured shoulder. The power of the golden light seemed to be corroding the abyss energy, causing a pained struggle to appear on her face.
Lucas took the opportunity to step forward, his double blades pointing at Aileen. "The abyss hasn't completely devoured you yet! You can still come back!"
Aileen raised her head, her eyes in chaos, as if the abyss and humanity were fiercely fighting in her soul.
"I..." Her voice was weak, with a hint of hesitation. However, soon, the dark power took the
upper hand again. She suddenly stood up, and the dark energy condensed once more.
"Stop trying to save me!" Aileen roared, her voice full of despair and anger. "My fate can no longer be changed, and you can't stop the awakening of the abyss either!"
Before the words were even finished, her figure melted into the darkness again and disappeared into the depths of the passage.