The darkness seemed to coalesce into a living, breathing entity as the figure dashed towards Zain with an unnatural speed. Elian reacted instinctively, focusing his mind to activate the time loop.
The world around them seemed to rewind, the figure freezing in mid-air as time reversed. Elian took advantage of the reprieve to grab Zain's arm, pulling her to safety.
But as the time loop repeated, the figure began to struggle, its movements becoming more erratic and violent. Elian's eyes widened as he realized the shadow was adapting, learning how to break free from the time loop.
And then, in a burst of speed, the figure shattered the time loop, rushing towards Zain with renewed ferocity. Zain raised her hands, unleashing a blast of gravitational force, but the shadow seemed to absorb the energy, its momentum unbroken.
With a sickening crunch, the shadow slammed Zain into the ground, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. Elian and Kael rushed to her aid, but the shadow was relentless, its blows raining down on them with merciless precision.
Lyra, who had been watching in horror, suddenly felt the shadow's gaze upon her. Its eyes seemed to burn with an unnatural intelligence, and Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine as the shadow rushed towards her.
But unlike its brutal treatment of the others, the shadow's approach was almost... reverent. Lyra realized, with a jolt of fear, that the shadow was interested in her intelligence, her unique perspective on the world.
And as the shadow loomed over her, its dark form seeming to fill the entire room, Lyra knew that she was about to become a vessel for something ancient, something evil...