Markus stood tall, the ancient power of his ancestors coursing through him, a fierce fire burning in his eyes. He was no longer just a mere human. He was something more, a vessel of untamed power, a force to be reckoned with. He looked at Sharon, offering her a small, reassuring smile. Then, he turned his attention to the hag, his eyes hardening with a righteous fury. The game was over. It was time for the reckoning.
The hag, sensing the shift in power, recoiled slightly. Her initial surprise had given way to a flicker of fear, an instinct that recognized a threat. She raised her staff, but the gesture lacked its earlier confidence. She knew she was facing something old, something terrible.
"You… you should be dead, how could you live again?" she rasped, her voice laced with confusion. "What are you?!"
"I don't know myself," Markus replied, his voice resonating with strength. "But your power is an enemy of mine and i will crush you."
He took a step forward, and the ground beneath him seemed to tremble and burn. The air crackled with energy, a palpable force that pushed back the hag's dark magic. He felt the power within him, a fire, old and terrible, he didn't know how but he know how to wield it, like and old friend, he forgot about it before but now he remembered.
"You are a fool," the hag hissed. "You are just a boy, playing with powers you do not understand."
She unleashed a wave of green poison, but Markus, reacting instinctively, unleashed a surge of his own power. Fire and poison collided, creating a shockwave that rocked the chamber. But the clash was uneven. The hag's dark magic, though weakened, was still more refined, more controlled. Markus's fire power, though potent, was scattered, inefficient.
He stumbled back, feeling the strain of controlling the untamed energy within him. He could feel the hag's dark magic probing his own, trying to corrupt it, to turn it against him.
The hag cackled, sensing his struggle. "You are weak," she rasped. "You are just a vessel, a temporary conduit for a power you cannot control."
She pressed her attack, unleashing another wave of green poison. Markus tried to counter with a jet of fire, but his movements were clumsy, his power erratic. The green poison slammed into him, throwing him against a wall.
He gasped for air, his body aching, his control over his power slipping. But thanks to it burning the poison he didn't get killed instantly. He looked at Sharon, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and determination. He couldn't give up. He had to protect her, he had to stop the hag.
He struggled to his feet, drawing on the power with his battered will. He knew he couldn't defeat the hag in a direct confrontation. He was too inexperienced, his power kept sliping. He needed a different strategy.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the feeling of the power within him. He couldn't control it perfectly, not yet, but he could guide it. He could use it as a conduit, a channel for his will.
He opened his eyes, and a faint, red glow emanated from his body. He didn't attack the hag directly. Instead, he focused the energy on the environment, on the crumbling walls of the chamber. He could feel the power responding to his will, strengthening the cracks, destabilizing the structure.
The hag, sensing his intentions, snarled. "What are you doing?"
Markus didn't reply. He simply continued to channel the energy, focusing on a weak point in the ceiling, a large section of rock that was already on the verge of collapse.
The hag realized his plan too late. As she unleashed another wave of green energy filled with poison, Markus focused his power on the weakened ceiling. With a deafening roar, the section of rock collapsed, burying the hag beneath tons of rubble. She didn't even have time to scream.
The chamber fell silent. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the fallen hag. Markus, exhausted and battered, collapsed to his knees. He had won. But it had been a close call. He had barely survived. He looked towards Sharon, who was watching him with a mixture of relief and concern. He offered her a weak smile.
He tried to stand, but his body protested, every muscle screaming in pain. He managed to push himself up to a sitting position, leaning against a large chunk of fallen rock. He could feel his power fading, receding back into its dormant state.
He looked around the chamber, taking in the devastation. The altar was shattered, the dark symbols on the walls were faded and dim, and the air felt cleaner, lighter. The hag was gone, buried beneath the rubble, her terror finally over.
Sharon rushed to his side, her face etched with worry. "Markus! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I'm… I'm fine," he replied, though his voice betrayed his words. He could feel the adrenaline fading, leaving him weak and vulnerable.
"We need to get out of here," Sharon said, her eyes scanning the chamber. "This place… it's not safe."
Markus nodded in agreement. He knew she was right. The stronghold was unstable, damaged by the battle. It could collapse at any moment. And there was no telling what other dark secrets it held.
They helped each other to their feet, their movements slow and cautious. They made their way towards the passage where the villagers had fled, their eyes wary of any sign of danger.
The passage led them out of the chamber and into a maze of tunnels. They moved slowly, their footsteps echoing through the silence. They could hear the occasional rumble of falling debris, a constant reminder of the danger they were in.
Finally, they reached the outside, emerging from the darkness of the stronghold into the cool night air. They were greeted by the sight of the villagers, who were waiting for them, their faces filled with relief.
Robin was there, her face etched with worry. She rushed towards them, her eyes searching for any sign of injury.
"Markus! Sharon! You're alive!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion.
"We're alright, Robin," Markus said, though he knew they were far from alright. They were alive, but they were wounded, exhausted, and traumatized by their ordeal.
"The cult… it's gone," Sharon said. "We defeated them."
Robin nodded, her expression grave. "I know," she said. "I felt it. The darkness… it has receded."
She looked at Markus, her eyes filled with gratitude and respect. "You are a hero, Markus," she said. "You have saved us all."
Markus shook his head. "I'm just… a hunter," he said. "I did what I had to do."
But he knew that he was more than just a hunter now. His power, he didn't know where it came from and how he could possess it but it was powerful and although he was a little bit wary of it he grateful for without it he would be dead and sharon would fall in the hand of the hag.
He looked at Sharon, who was standing beside him, they were safe. They were alive. And they had each other.
"What about Gordon?" Sharon asked, her voice filled with worry.
Markus's face fell. He had been so focused on Sharon and the villagers that he had almost forgotten about Gordon. He turned and ran back towards the stronghold, ignoring the pain in his body. He knew he had to go back for Gordon. He wouldn't leave him behind. Not after everything they had been through together.
Sharon called after him, but he didn't stop. He had to reach his friend.
He re-entered the stronghold, the darkness now less oppressive, but still heavy with the lingering echoes of evil. He moved quickly, his senses on high alert. He followed the familiar path back towards the chamber where they had fought the hag.
He found Gordon lying near the shattered altar, his body still and lifeless. Markus rushed to his side, his heart pounding in his chest. He knelt down and checked for a pulse. It was faint, barely perceptible, but it was there. Gordon was alive.
Markus carefully lifted Gordon's body, his movements gentle and deliberate. He knew he had to get him out of here, to get him back to the village, where Robin could heal him.
He carried Gordon out of the stronghold, his steps slow and steady. He emerged into the night air, where Sharon and Robin were waiting.
"He's alive," Markus said, his voice filled with relief.
Robin rushed forward, her face filled with concern. She examined Gordon, her brow furrowed.
"He is badly injured," she said. "But he will live. You have saved him, Markus."
Markus nodded, his gaze fixed on Gordon's pale face. He was alive. And that was all that mattered.