A monstrous shadow rose from the abyss, a swirling mass of anger and malice. Elias felt his courage waver, but the knight's presence steadied him. "Stay close," the knight commanded.
Steel met shadow. The knight's sword glowed faintly, cutting through the darkness but never fully destroying it. Elias realized he must act. Drawing upon every ounce of courage, he plunged his lantern into the shadow mass. The light erupted, scattering tendrils of darkness.
The knight struck the final blow, and the shadow screamed before dissipating into nothingness. Silence returned to the cavern, broken only by the knight's heavy breathing.
"Will you ever return to the light?" Elias asked.
The knight shook his head. "My place is here, in the shadows. But know this—you carry a spark of courage now. Protect it." With that, he vanished into the darkness, leaving Elias alone under the cold, silver moonlight.
Elias returned to the village, forever changed. The shadow of the knight lingered in his mind, a reminder that true courage often walks hand in hand with darkness.