The sky was blood-red as Tevlon and Kane approached the outskirts of the Shadowed Plains, the cursed land where Posidus made his home. The air was thick, heavy, and smelled of ash and decay. Even Kane's fur bristled as he slowed, sniffing the wind.
"He's here," Kane growled. "I can feel it. Posidus is close, and he knows we've discovered the temple."
Tevlon's fingers tingled with power, light dancing across her palms. Her heart pounded—not just with fear, but with anticipation. This was the first time she would face him directly.
The shadow shifted ahead, forming into the hulking figure of Posidus. Massive, beastly, with eyes like molten gold, his presence radiated power and malice. His claws dug into the earth, leaving scorched marks where he stood.
"Princess Tevlon," Posidus rumbled, his voice deep and echoing. "So… you've awakened. How quaint." He licked his lips slowly. "I should have finished this sooner."
Kane shifted to wolf form instantly, growling low. "Stay behind me," he ordered. "He'll test you first… and I won't let him hurt you."
Posidus laughed—a sound that shook the ground. Shadowy tendrils erupted from his body, coiling toward them like living darkness. Tevlon's light flared instinctively, clashing with the shadows, sparks and energy igniting the air.
"You're stronger than I thought," Posidus said, narrowing his eyes. "But strength without control is nothing."
Tevlon took a deep breath, focusing, channeling the lessons from the temple. She extended her hands, creating blades of pure light that spun and slashed through the shadow tendrils. The force pushed Posidus back slightly, enough for Kane to lunge, claws tearing at the edges of his dark aura.
But Posidus was quick. With a single, devastating sweep, the shadow tendrils lashed, knocking Kane into the ground. Tevlon's pulse raced. Her power flared wildly, uncontrolled, blasting through the plains with a force that threw them both off balance.
Posidus chuckled, amused rather than threatened. "Impressive… but not enough." He surged forward, a living nightmare of shadow and malice.
Tevlon's vision blurred as the tendrils coiled around her. Panic threatened to overtake her, but she remembered the temple, the guardian's words: Trust Kane. Trust your allies. Trust yourself.
With a roar, she centered herself, focusing her power not outward in wild bursts, but inward, refining it. Light coalesced around her like a shield, then erupted outward in a wave, pure and focused. Posidus staggered, shielding his eyes.
Kane leapt to her side, standing tall despite his injuries. "That's it, Princess. Keep control. You're stronger than you know!"
The Shadowed Plains fell silent for a heartbeat. Posidus' golden eyes glimmered with something like respect—or perhaps amusement. "This… is only the beginning," he hissed, retreating into the darkness, leaving a scorched, trembling earth in his wake.
Tevlon sank to her knees, exhausted, light still flickering around her hands. Kane crouched beside her, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "You did well," he said softly. "You faced him… and lived. But remember—he's patient. He'll test you again… and next time, he won't hold back."
Tevlon nodded, determination hardening in her chest. She had seen his power, felt it, and survived. And she knew something deep inside her had changed. She wasn't just a princess, or a leader, or a survivor. She was a force capable of standing against darkness itself.
And Posidus… he would be ready for their next encounter.