Kaelis staggered back, clutching her chest as if to hold her slipping memories in place. Elyon's staff glowed brighter, weaving protective runes in the air, their light flickering against the dark stone walls.
"We can't let it consume more of us," Elyon said, voice tense. "The mark connects us to it cut the link, and maybe we can weaken the creature."
Aloysius knelt, focusing on the shard embedded in his palm. The glow pulsed rhythmically, matching the beat of the marks on all their bodies.
"There's a way," he murmured, "but it means channeling the shard's energy directly into the mark… risking the radiation poisoning."
Kaelis met his gaze, determination flaring in her eyes. "Do it. Whatever it takes."
Aloysius rose, extending his hand toward her glowing mark. The light intensified, a searing warmth flooding her veins.
The Stalker recoiled, a soundless scream rippling through the tunnel as dark tendrils writhed and snapped.
Kaelis felt the tether between them fray, memories flooding back with painful clarity. Yet the creature still loomed, weakened but not defeated.
"We bought time," Elyon said grimly, "but it's not over. The Hunter's shadow grows stronger."
Aloysius glanced down at the shard, now dimmer but steady. "Then we press forward. Whatever waits ahead, we face it together."