"We need to fight, not run," Alistair growled, his fists clenched.
Selene looked at him, worry in her eyes. "Alistair, we're not ready. The Nightborn are too many."
Alistair shook his head, his voice firm. "If we don't stop them now, the town will fall. We can't let that happen."
Isaac, still trembling from the curse, leaned against the wall. "He's right, Selene. We can't run anymore. We have to face them."
Selene bit her lip. "But if we go out there, we might not come back."
Alistair stepped closer, his voice low. "We don't have a choice. This is our fight."
Selene sighed, looking at the ground. "Then we fight."
Isaac coughed, his face pale. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on. The Wraith King is getting stronger inside me."
Alistair placed a hand on Isaac's shoulder. "You're still with us, Isaac. Stay strong. We need you."
Isaac nodded weakly, though pain was clear in his eyes. "I'll try, but it's hard. The darkness is... pulling me."
Alistair looked at both of them, determination in his eyes. "We're going to stop the Nightborn. And then, we'll stop the Wraith King."
Selene nodded, though fear lingered on her face. "Let's go before it's too late."
They left the shelter of the cave and moved toward the town, the air thick with tension. In the distance, they could see the Nightborn, shadowy creatures with glowing eyes, creeping closer to the houses.
"They're already here," Selene whispered.
Alistair's fists tightened. "We can't let them reach the people. We stop them here."
Isaac groaned, his body trembling. "I... I don't know if I can fight."
"You don't have to fight," Alistair said, looking at Isaac with concern. "Just stay close to us. We'll protect you."
Isaac gave a weak smile. "I should be the one protecting you."
Selene touched his arm gently. "We'll protect each other."
The Nightborn moved closer, their eyes glowing brighter in the darkness.
"Get ready," Alistair said, stepping forward. "We'll take them down, one by one."
Selene's eyes darted around. "They're moving too fast. We need to split them up."
Alistair nodded. "I'll draw their attention. You take the ones on the left."
Selene hesitated. "What about Isaac?"
Alistair glanced at Isaac, who was struggling to stay on his feet. "Stay with him. I'll handle the rest."
Isaac groaned, clutching his chest. "I... I can't hold this back much longer. The Wraith King is... he's trying to take control."
Alistair's heart sank. "Just hold on, Isaac. Stay with us."
Isaac nodded, though his face was filled with pain. "I'll try."
Alistair turned back to the Nightborn, his muscles tense. "Here we go."
With a roar, Alistair charged at the nearest Nightborn, swinging his fists with all his strength. The creature snarled, but Alistair was faster, striking it down before it could react.
"One down," Alistair muttered, turning to the next.
Selene was fighting on the other side, slashing through the Nightborn with quick, precise strikes. But no matter how many they defeated, more kept coming.
"They're not stopping!" Selene shouted, her breath ragged.
Alistair grunted, taking down another creature. "We just have to keep fighting!"
Isaac stumbled, his body shaking violently. "I... I can feel him. The Wraith King... he's closer."
Alistair glanced at Isaac, worry gnawing at him. "Stay with us, Isaac!"
But Isaac's eyes were darkening, the curse spreading further across his skin. "I... I can't stop it."
Selene rushed to his side, her voice urgent. "Isaac, focus! Don't let the Wraith King take you!"
Isaac groaned, his body trembling. "It's... too strong. I can feel him... inside me."
Alistair's fists tightened. "Fight him, Isaac! You're stronger than this!"
Isaac collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. "I... I don't know if I can."
Selene knelt beside him, her voice shaking. "You're not alone, Isaac. We're here with you."
But before Isaac could respond, the air around them grew colder, and a heavy darkness filled the sky.
Alistair's heart pounded. He could feel it—the Wraith King's presence, drawing closer.
"He's here," Alistair whispered, his voice filled with dread.
Selene's eyes widened in fear. "No... not now."
Isaac groaned, clutching his head. "He's inside me... he's coming."
Alistair stood tall, his fists clenched. "We'll face him. We're not running."
Selene grabbed Alistair's arm, her voice trembling. "We're not ready for this. The Wraith King's too strong."
Alistair's eyes burned with anger. "I don't care. We fight, or we die."
Isaac let out a scream, his body convulsing. "He's... taking over."
Selene knelt beside Isaac, her eyes wide with fear. "Isaac, no! Don't let him in!"
Isaac's eyes darkened, his voice changing. "It's too late..."
Alistair stepped forward, his voice hard. "I won't let you fall, Isaac."
But before Alistair could reach him, Isaac let out another scream, and a wave of dark energy exploded from his body, knocking Alistair and Selene back.
Alistair groaned, pushing himself to his feet. "Isaac!"
Isaac's body trembled, the black veins spreading faster now. His eyes were completely dark, and his voice was low, filled with malice. "He's here..."
Selene gasped, her face pale. "The Wraith King... he's taken him."
Alistair's heart raced. "No... we can still save him."
But Isaac's voice was cold, distant. "It's over, Alistair. He's coming for you."
Alistair's breath quickened. "I'll stop him. I swear it."
Isaac smiled darkly. "You can't stop what's already begun."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and the sky darkened even more. Alistair felt a wave of weakness wash over him, his strength draining.
"He's close," Alistair whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
Selene grabbed his arm, her voice urgent. "Alistair, we need to leave. Now."
But Alistair shook his head, his body tense. "No. I'm not running."
Selene's eyes were filled with panic. "You're not strong enough to fight him. You can't do this alone."
Alistair's fists tightened, though he could feel the darkness pressing in around him. "I have to."
Isaac let out a low laugh, his eyes locked on Alistair. "He's coming for you... and you won't survive."
Alistair took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. But the Wraith King's presence was overwhelming, and he could feel his body weakening with every passing second.
"I'm not afraid," Alistair muttered, though his legs were trembling.
The air around them grew colder, and Alistair's vision blurred. The Wraith King's voice echoed in his mind, dark and menacing. "You are mine, Alistair."
Alistair groaned, clutching his head. "No... I won't... give in."
But the darkness was too strong. Alistair's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his vision fading.
Selene's voice was distant, filled with fear. "Alistair! No!"
The Wraith King's voice filled Alistair's mind as the darkness crept in. "You cannot escape me."
And then, everything went black.