The battle raged on, the lieutenant striking with relentless precision. Mukul's strategy had bought them some ground, but the creature's speed and cunning were exhausting. Every swing, every dodge demanded perfect timing—and even then, the fight felt like walking a knife's edge.
Priya's chest heaved, sweat clinging to her brow. Her aura flickered, strained under the intensity of the attacks. She had held her ground, defended Ansh, and struck when needed—but something inside her urged for more. Something dormant, a part of her she hadn't touched in years, now stirred in the heat of battle.
She took a deep breath, centring herself amidst the chaos. The lieutenant's shadowy form loomed ahead, and she felt it—its energy, sharp and invasive, probing for weakness. And in that probing, she felt the spark: a hidden well of strength within herself, waiting for the right moment to awaken.
Mukul shouted from the side, "Priya! Now!"
Priya's eyes narrowed, and a warmth began to radiate from her core, spreading through her arms, her hands, until her entire aura blazed with a brightness that cut through the lieutenant's darkness. Energy rippled outward in waves, shaking the room, forcing the creature to pause mid-strike.
"What—?" Ansh and Kavya froze, staring in awe. Even Mukul's gaze widened. Priya's aura pulsed stronger with each heartbeat, not just defensive—but alive, reactive, almost sentient.
The lieutenant hesitated for the first time, its movements sharp but uncertain. It lunged, attempting a surprise strike—but Priya was ready. She extended her hands, channelling the new energy into a radiant barrier that didn't just block—it reflected, bending the creature's own momentum against it.
A roar of frustration echoed as the lieutenant stumbled, claws scraping uselessly against the luminous shield. Priya's eyes glowed with determination, and for the first time, she felt in complete control. This was not just power—this was her hidden essence, awakened by necessity, honed by instinct.
Mukul moved quickly to support, striking from above, but it was Priya who drove the moment. The lieutenant reeled from her combined defensive and offensive force, unable to anticipate the unexpected brilliance radiating from her aura.
"Keep pushing! Don't let it recover!" Mukul yelled, coordinating their next moves.
Priya's newfound strength surged with intention, not merely reaction. Every motion, every strike of energy, carried weight, direction, and focus. The lieutenant, powerful as it was, had never faced an opponent whose very aura seemed to twist and shape the battlefield.
Ansh and Kavya flanked, striking in rhythm with Priya's controlled pulses, each attack amplified by her radiance. The room seemed to bend to her will, shadows fleeing from the light she wielded. The lieutenant staggered back, faltering under the onslaught, a flicker of uncertainty in its burning eyes.
Priya exhaled, steadying herself. She could feel it now—the power wasn't just for defence. It could reshape the fight, tilt the balance. And in that realisation, she smiled briefly, a spark of confidence igniting.
Mukul caught her gaze, nodding with pride. "That's it, Priya! That's the strength we needed!"
The lieutenant lunged once more, but this time, Priya didn't just block. She struck back, her energy cutting through the shadows, forcing the creature to retreat. The team pressed the advantage, each move synchronised, inspired by her awakening power.
The battle had turned. And though the lieutenant was far from defeated, one truth had become undeniable: Priya's hidden strength had awakened, and it could change everything.
The shadows roared, but now the light within her burned brighter than fear.