The swirling vortex of shadows and fire loomed ahead, pulsing with a malevolent life. Noona, Alice, Lisa, and Sky paused at its edge, feeling the oppressive weight of centuries pressing down on them.
"This… is it," Noona whispered, gripping her blade. "The origin of the curse."
Alice nodded. "The one in crimson… the woman from the visions. She made a pact with darkness itself. Everything that followed stems from her will."
The vortex shuddered, and from it emerged a figure draped in crimson, eyes burning with an ancient fury. Shadows bent and twisted to her will, forming limbs and claws that reached for the four of them.
Lisa stepped forward, chanting protective spells, threads of light weaving a shield. "Stay close! We can't let her separate us!"
Sky leapt, striking the nearest shadow with precision, while Noona and Alice flanked the figure, their weapons sparking as they met the waves of dark energy.
The woman's voice echoed through their minds, a chilling blend of sorrow and rage. "Fools… you dare challenge centuries of power?"
Noona felt the curse clawing at her thoughts, memories that were not hers bleeding into her mind. She shook her head, focusing on the present. "We are not afraid. We face this… together."
Alice raised her staff, channeling every fragment of light and magic they had gathered. The four of them became a singular force, light weaving through shadow, courage burning through fear.
The vortex flared, shadows screeched, and the ground cracked beneath them. Yet, amidst the chaos, the figure in crimson faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her eyes.
Noona whispered, "This is our chance… the curse can be broken."
And as they pressed forward, the battle between centuries-old darkness and their unified light erupted, shaking the very foundations of the forest.