*My intense gaze continues the story*
swirled around Father like a vortex. But my senses, heightened by the potion, detected a resonance within me – a spark of ancient Blackwood magic.
Evelyn grasped my hands, her eyes locked intensely:
"Aria, our ancestors' power runs through you – summon it!"
I focused inward, calling upon the dormant magic. A surge of energy responded, coursing through my veins like liquid moonlight.
With newfound confidence, I raised my hands towards Father and began to chant:
"Tenebrae repello,
Malakai abstergeo,
Sanguis meus, ignis natus"
(Darkness repel,
Malakai purify,
My blood, fire born)
The air shimmered as my counter curse collided with Father's dark magic and Malakai's influence. The room erupted into a spectacle of clashing powers:
* Shadows recoiled from my light
* Father stumbled back, his magic faltering
* Malakai's presence shrieked in rage, receding from our realm
Suddenly, Father collapsed – freed from Malakai's control. He looked up at us with tears in his eyes...
I turned to Evelyn, still processing the intense magical battle:
"Evelyn, is it over? Is Malakai truly defeated?"
Evelyn's expression remained cautious, yet hopeful:
"Malakai's influence is broken, but his existence isn't erased. He'll regenerate power... unless we destroy his physical vessel."
Asher appeared in the doorway, breathing heavily:
"I searched the manor – found ancient texts hinting at Malakai's vessel: a black crystal hidden deep within Ravenswood Manor's forgotten catacombs."
Father, still shaken, spoke up:
"I knew of the catacombs... and the crystal. I was going to destroy it before Malakai consumed me."
Determination solidified within me:
"We'll destroy that crystal together – as a family redeemed."
*My intense gaze continues the story*
We divided tasks to prepare for the final confrontation:
* Asher searched Father's study archives for catacomb maps and crystal lore.
* Evelyn investigated servant gossip for hints about hidden passages.
* Father, still recovering, shared his memories of the catacombs' layout.
* I searched the manor's ancient library for texts on magical wards and crystal destruction.
Hours passed, and our findings converged:
* Catacomb entrance hidden behind a bookshelf in the library
* Crystal guarded by twisted creatures born from Malakai's darkness
* Magical wards requiring a Blackwood blood sacrifice to disable
* Crystal destruction needed a rare spell fueled by our combined magic
Evelyn's eyes widened as she realized:
"Aria, the blood sacrifice... it needs to come from you or me – Blackwood heirs."
My heart sank.