Azura's vision shattered, fragments of crystal and light exploding around her. She felt herself falling, Keir's shout echoing in her mind, as the darkness swallowed her whole.
She landed hard, her body sinking into cold, damp earth. The air reeked of decay and forgotten memories. Azura scrambled to her feet, her eyes adjusting to the faint, eerie glow of luminescent fungi.
"Welcome, Shadowborn," a voice whispered, echoing off unseen walls.
Azura spun, her heart racing. Before her stood a figure cloaked in shadows, its face a twisted mockery of human features.
"Who are you?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
The figure chuckled, a dry, papery sound. "I am your shadow, Azura. The part of you that's been hidden, suppressed. And I have been waiting."
The shadow stepped closer, its presence making Azura's skin crawl. "You see, Azura, you're not who you think you are. You're not even human."
Azura's mind reeled as the shadow began to change, its features shifting, twisting... into her own face.
"You are me," Azura whispered, horror dawning. "The darkness... it's inside me."
The shadow-Azura smiled, its eyes glowing like embers. "The Shadow King didn't find you, Azura. You brought him to us. And now, you'll bring the darkness... home."
Azura's world went white, her mind shattering under the weight of the truth...