The darkness of night enveloped every corner of the lake, and even the stars seemed to retreat before the energy emanating from the underworld. The shadow we had confronted had temporarily receded, but I felt it was not a definitive victory; merely a strategic pause, a warning that this was far from over. The air carried a heavy vibration, as if every atom around us were aware of the imminent danger.
"Ana," Luna said, her voice firm yet tinged with tension, "they are watching our every move. We need to act at the right moment."
I grasped her hand, feeling the strength that connected us. For the first time, I realized that although fear was intense, we were not alone. Every shared breath seemed to synchronize our energies, reinforcing the barrier of light I had managed to form. But there was still something deeper that needed to awaken within me—a depth of power I had not yet reached.
A roar echoed from the depths of the lake, vibrating through my bones. The shadowy figures emerged again, now larger, more defined, radiating a tangible, almost suffocating energy. I could feel their intent: to consume, to invade, to extinguish any resistance they encountered.
"Focus," Luna commanded, pulling me slightly back. "Use who you are. Use what you feel."
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm within me. I visualized the flow of energy coursing through every mystical point in the city, all the lakes connected like veins of power. Each lake vibrated at a distinct frequency, but together they formed a map I could access. A clear thought emerged: if I could control this flow, I could not only contain the creatures but also create a passage that would allow us to advance into the underworld.
When I opened my eyes, the water of the lake began to glow with an intense bluish light, reflecting on the shadowed faces that advanced. The shadow moving forward hesitated, as if recognizing that something within me had changed. I could feel my heart racing, but also a clarity I had never experienced: my connection to magic was not merely reactive; I could shape it, direct it, expand it.
"Now!" Luna shouted, pointing to the center of the lake. "Release everything you feel. Let your energy flow without fear!"
I followed her command, feeling the ancient force rising within me. Each wave of energy I emitted seemed to grasp the shadows, bending them, enveloping them, containing them in patterns I did not fully understand but that worked. The pressure was immense, almost unbearable, but with Luna by my side, I managed to sustain the manifestation.
Suddenly, a figure emerged above the water, more powerful than any other: Jace. His eyes reflected a mixture of curiosity and cruelty, as if eager to test my limits. His presence distorted the air around him, making every movement I made heavy and slow, every thought harder to control. I realized I could not face him alone; my connection with Luna was the key.
"Together," I whispered, almost to myself, and felt Luna understand. Our hands intertwined, our energies merging into a single flow. A wave of power swept across the lake, and the shadowy figures retreated again, some disappearing, others held by the barrier of light that had formed.
The air trembled with a roar that seemed to come from the very heart of the underworld. I knew, with a chilling certainty, that Zade was near, watching, waiting for the right moment to intervene. The magnitude of the approaching battle became clear: it would not be merely a physical confrontation, but a war of energy, of will, and of magic, and I would need to access every fragment of power awakening within me.
As I looked at Luna, I felt something even deeper awaken: it was not just protection, not just strength; it was a silent promise that together, we would face any shadow that came from the underworld. The lake shimmered, seemingly pulsing in sync with my heart. The war was about to begin, and I finally understood that there was no turning back. The path to the underworld awaited us, and the only choice was to move forward.