The air grew heavy…
And time seemed to stand still.
Ryan was bound by the shadowy arms, unable to move, unable even to breathe properly.
The pressure around his body intensified, as if those arms wanted not just to stop him… but to crush him.
The sword fell away from him… and the light that had surrounded him began to fade.
The scarred man drew closer, his steps slow and confident, as if he saw no threat before him.
"It's over…" he said coldly.
Ryan tried to move, but it was no use.
"No… it's not over…"
The man chuckled softly:
"Everyone who has held the light before you said the same thing."
Salim shouted from afar:
"Ryan! Don't lose focus!"
But his voice was fading… as if something was preventing him from getting any closer.
Ryan looked up with difficulty:
"Why… won't you help me?!"
Salim paused for a moment…
Then, in a low, heavy voice, he said,
"I can't…"
Silence fell.
"What?!" Ryan cried.
"I'm not alive… I'm just a trace… a memory… bound only to the light."
Ryan felt more shock than pain.
"So… I'm alone?!"
The scarred man smiled.
"Finally, I understand."
He raised his hand… and the shadows tightened around Ryan.
"The light is always alone… and that's why it falls."
But at that moment—
An arrow pierced the air.
And lodged directly in the shoulder of one of the Black Squad.
A faint cry escaped him.
Liora!
She stood far away, breathing rapidly, sweat dripping from her forehead… but she didn't stop.
"He's not finished yet!" she cried.
She fired a second arrow… then a third.
This time, she wasn't just trying to hit them…
She was targeting the shadows themselves.
One of the arrows struck a shadow's arm…
And suddenly—
It vanished.
Ryan felt the pressure ease.
"What did you do?!"
"A shadow isn't unbreakable… but it takes precision!" Liora yelled.
But before she could move further—
A member of the squad appeared behind her.
He grabbed her by the neck… and lifted her off the ground.
"You're a nuisance."
"Liora!" Ryan yelled.
But the scarred man didn't move.
He just stared…
Then he said:
"Kill her."
Silence.
The man holding Liora… didn't move.
One second…
Two seconds…
Then—He threw her to the ground.
Everyone froze.
The man looked at his leader… and said:
"I won't."
Everyone's eyes widened.
The scarred man frowned.
"What did you say?"
"I said… I won't."
Tension filled the air.
"We fought… we saw what we saw… but killing her now… makes no sense."
"Have you lost your mind?!" shouted one of the squad members.
But the man didn't back down.
"We hunt the light… not the innocent."
The silence grew heavy.
Then—
The leader smiled.
But it wasn't a normal smile.
"You… still have your humanity."
Then he added slowly,
"And that… is a weakness."
In an instant—
He moved.
With terrifying speed, he appeared before the man…
and placed his hand over his face.
Then—
He pressed down.
A scream escaped… but it didn't last.
The man's body began to crack…
He turned into a shadow…
Then—
He vanished.
Completely.
Liora was on the ground, staring in shock.
"He… killed him…"
The leader looked at the others:
"Anyone else…?"
No one moved.
"Good."
Then he turned to Ryan.
"Now… let's break the show."
He raised his hand again—
But this time…
Ryan wasn't himself.
Something inside him… broke.
Or… woke up.
His eyes glowed blue.
Light erupted from his body with unnatural force.
The shadows that held him… began to burn.
"Back off!" the leader yelled.
But it was too late.
Ryan broke free—
And grabbed his sword.
But this time…
It wasn't just a sword.
It was an extension of him.
He screamed—
And charged.
One strike—
Sent two of the Black Squad away.
A second strike—
Cracked the ground beneath their feet.
Liora looked shocked:
"This…isn't normal…"
Salim whispered:
"He's starting to lose control…"
Ryan didn't hear.
He was moving…attacking…
But not fully conscious.
The leader stood, watching.
Then he said:
"Exciting…"
Then he added:
"But he's unstable."
He raised his hand—
And shadows began to gather around him.
"We'll meet again…"
And suddenly—
He disappeared.
And the rest of the squad… disappeared with him.
Silence returned.
But it wasn't peace.
Ryan stood…breathing rapidly…
Then he collapsed.
Liora ran to him:
"Ryan!"
Salim approached… his eyes filled with worry.
"He's gone too far…"
Liora looked at him:
"Is he going to die?!"
Salim fell silent…
Then he said:
"No…"
"But something inside him… might never be the same again."
If the camera had been there… it would have focused on Ryan's hand.
Which was still… glowing.