As Lila's voice echoed across the battlefield, the air seemed to hold its breath. The orb, now a focal point of both hope and dread, pulsed with an eerie light. Tabitha's presence filled the orb, her image sharp and imposing, and laced with a cold, menacing aura. Her voice cut through the silence like a dagger wrapped in silk.
"Ah, Lila," Tabitha began, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "how noble of you to offer yourself. Yet, how utterly... predictable." Her lips curved into a mocking smile, each word a blow to Lila's resolve. "Do you truly believe your sacrifice would be enough? Or is this just a desperate attempt to flee the inevitable?"
The battlefield around them seemed to darken, as if the natural world was twisting under Tabitha's influence. Lila stood firm, her radiance unwavering, a beacon of defiance against the encroaching shadows. "I'm not afraid of you," Lila declared, her voice steady, though the weight of her words hung heavy in the air.
Tabitha's laughter echoed all around her, a sound both melodic and chilling. "You’re not, but you should be. You think you’re brave now, but bravery alone won't save you. You are no match for me. Haven’t I proven that to you already?"
Behind Lila, her companions watched with bated breath. Sarah's hands clenched into fists, her heart aching with every word. Fiadh's determination hardened, her resolve to protect Lila burning brighter. Alondra, ever the strategist, assessed the situation, her mind racing for any advantage.
“Things have changed since the last time,” Lila spat. 
“Have they now? We’ll see about that. Attack!” the evil witch commanded. “Show this pathetic child the power of the sign of evil.”
The earth split open, revealing a churning mass of shadowy figures. They emerged like a tidal wave of malevolence, their twisted forms writhing with an unnatural life of their own. Eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and jagged weapons gleamed in the dim glow of the battlefield. The stench of decay and corruption filled the air as the battalion of dark forces surged forward, their guttural growls and snarls echoing like a chorus of the damned.
Lila stood her ground, her radiance intensifying as if the light itself was responding to the encroaching darkness. Her hands rose, and from them burst a brilliance so pure it seemed to sear the air around her. The light coalesced into shimmering blades of energy, each one crackling with power. She moved with a grace that belied the ferocity of her magic, her every step precise and deliberate. The dark forces lunged at her, their weapons slashing wildly, but Lila was a storm of light, untouchable and unyielding.
With a flick of her wrist, a wave of golden energy cascaded outward, cutting through the first line of attackers as if they were made of smoke. They disintegrated into nothingness, their forms erased by the sheer force of her magic. The ground beneath her feet began to glow, and from it rose pillars of light that impaled the dark creatures, their twisted bodies vaporizing with a faint hiss. The air was filled with the sweet scent of purification as Lila’s magic cleansed the battlefield of the evil that dared to tread it.
The dark forces pressed on, undeterred by their dwindling numbers, but Lila’s light only grew stronger. She summoned great wings of pure energy that fanned out behind her, their feathers shimmering with a divine light. The wings beat once, twice, and with each movement, they sent forth a shockwave that obliterated entire rows of the enemy. The sound of their destruction was almost musical, a symphony of light and shadow that left no doubt as to who held the power here.
Yet, for all her strength, Lila could feel the strain beginning to build within her. The sheer number of enemies was overwhelming, and even her limitless light could be tested by such relentless assault. Sweat glistened on her brow, and her breath came in sharper gasps, but her resolve never wavered. She was the beacon of hope, and she would not falter.
As if sensing her momentary weakness, the dark forces surged forward with renewed ferocity. A towering monstrosity, its body a mass of writhing tendrils and jagged spikes, lunged at her with a roar that shook the ground. Lila met it head-on, her hands glowing with an intense, blinding light. With a single touch, the creature let out a deafening screech before disintegrating into a cloud of ash, its remains scattered by the wind.
The battlefield fell silent once more, the remnants of the dark forces retreating into the shadows, their numbers decimated. Lila stood tall, her light still pulsating with power, a testament to her unyielding spirit. She turned her gaze back to the orb, her voice steady and firm.
“This is but a taste of what I can do now,” she declared. “I will give you my power if you let them be. Too much blood has been shed already. Take this deal while you still can.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I will destroy every single one of your minions and save you for last to give you the most excruciating death imaginable.”
“Hmm… If you’re so powerful, then why give yourself up? That makes no sense!”
“Because, unlike you, I don’t believe in senseless destruction. All this carnage is a perversion of magic, and it must stop one way or another. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. My life for theirs is more than a reasonable price.”
“I don’t believe you,” Tabitha growled. “You’re trying to trick me.”
“It’s no trick, but if you really believe that, then why don’t you stop hiding and face me? We can settle this one-on-one, your power against mine.”
Sarah, who had been listening to the exchange attentively, couldn’t help but gasp from her hiding place. 
“What is she doing?” she muttered.
“Taunting a bully,” Alondra replied. “The deliberate provocation will make Tabitha think twice about her intentions.”
“But what if she takes up the duel offer?”
“She won’t,” Fiadh intervened. “Up until now, she thought no one could oppose her, but Lila’s demonstration changed the game. She’s so used to attacking from the shadows that she won’t risk open confrontation if there’s even a small chance of defeat. Your daughter is amazing, Sarah. She’s playing that wench like a fiddle.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am.”
“We fought once already, and you lost,” Tabitha smirked, unwilling to compromise. “I don’t need to do it again to know what the outcome would be this time around.”
“Funny, that smells like fear to me, but okay,” Lila declared, taking her bluff to the extreme. “You’ll have no quarrel seeing me destroy every single one of your lieutenants then.”
“You’ll do no such thing… unless you want me to rip apart your precious Penelope. I trust you still care about her, no?”
The mention of her friend took Lila aback, and she asked, her voice tight with restrained fury, “Is she still alive?” Tabitha smirked, clearly enjoying the shift in Lila’s demeanor, and replied, “Yes… for now.”
Lila struggled to keep her emotions in check. The thought of Penelope in Tabitha’s clutches was unbearable. She could feel the familiar surge of her power responding to her anger, but she knew she had to keep it tethered. Losing control now would only play into Tabitha’s hands. She hovered closer to the orb under the watchful gaze of tainted witches and warlocks who were curious to see how this story would end. Her glowing hands crackled with energy.
“You’re a coward, Tabitha,” Lila said, her voice low and even, though it carried a venom that made even Sarah flinch where she was hiding. “Hiding behind others, using innocent lives to shield yourself. That’s not power. That’s desperation.”
Tabitha’s smirk widened, though a flicker of irritation danced in her eyes. “And what are you, then? A hero? A martyr? You’re no better than me, Lila. From what I can see, you’re just as willing to use people for your own ends. At least I’m honest about it.”
Lila’s gaze hardened, her jaw clenched so tightly it ached. “There’s a difference between sacrificing yourself for others and using others to save your skin. You know it as well as I do.”
“Enough of this dance,” Tabitha snapped, her voice sharp with impatience. “You’ve made your little speech. Shall I dispose of your little friend now?”
“Let me see her,” Lila demanded. “I need to know if you’re telling the truth.”
“Why would I lie about this? Fine… see for yourself!”
Lila gazed deeper into the orb, and suddenly the glowing surface rippled like water. The images coalesced, forming a vision of a cold, stone chamber dimly illuminated by the sickly light of corrupted candles. At its center, on her knees, was Penelope. Her wrists and neck were encircled by iron manacles etched with blackened runes that seemed to drink in the faint light. The floor around her was marred by dark, angular symbols painted in blood— sigils that reeked of corruption. Above her stood Tabitha, tall and commanding, one hand resting casually on Penelope's bowed head.
The orb projected not only the sight but also the feeling. Penelope's body trembled as though gripped by some unseen force. Her head remained bent, her hair falling around her face like a shroud. There was an air of emptiness around her, a palpable hollowing that sickened Lila. It was not natural, not even entirely physical. Tabitha’s presence lingered around Penelope, an underlying taint that writhed in Lila's mind.
In the orb's projection, Penelope suddenly jerked forward as though invisible strings tugged her neck, her spine twisting against nature. "Sweet fruit from my orchard," she cooed, fingers caressing the symbols branded on Penelope’s right arm.
“I think you’ve seen enough,” Tabitha declared. “Now, wouldn’t it be tragic if I were to snap her limbs one by one? I have plenty of slaves to spare. It’s not like one less human will make any difference!”
“You fucking bitch! Release her right now!”
Tabitha laughed, the sound cold and mirthless. "Oh, Lila. You are as naive as I thought. Do you think I'd let her go so easily? No, no. You'll give me your power first, and then... maybe I'll let her live. Maybe."
Despite being worried about her friend, inside Lila was smiling. Tabitha had given her the confirmation she needed, and now she could go forward with her plan without a shadow of a doubt. 
“Everything that I am is yours if we agree to a truce right now,” she said. “Disband your troops, and you can brand me. I won’t resist.”
Tabitha's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with triumph. The young witch’s desire to save her loved ones was going to be her doom. She could play that game and then use her new slave to finish the job.
“Very well,” the evil witch declared. “I look forward to seeing you kneel at my feet.”
Tabitha’s voice echoed through the cavernous underground base, her words sharp and commanding. “Prepare to move out! We leave immediately! These rats get to live another day at least!” 
The air vibrated with the weight of her order, and the main chamber erupted into a cacophony of activity. The shadow demons retreated to the bowels of the earth, and the rest of her army stirred, a sea of dark-clad figures moving with a purpose that was both orderly and chaotic.
Lila stood rigid, her heart pounding in her chest. She had set this in motion, and now there was no turning back. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her fear at bay. She had to believe that her plan would work, that this sacrifice would lead to freedom, not just for Penelope, but for all those enslaved by Tabitha’s cruelty.
A group of Inquisitors emerged from the shadows, their robes billowing behind them like dark clouds. Their faces were hidden beneath hoods, their presence unnervingly silent as they surrounded Lila. One of them stepped forward, his hand extending to grasp her arm. His grip was like a vice, cold and unyielding. Lila flinched but did not struggle, her eyes meeting his.
“Move,” he growled, his voice low and gravelly, like the rumble of distant thunder. Lila nodded, and the Inquisitors closed in around her, forming a tight, oppressive circle.
As the Inquisitor’s grip tightened, she allowed herself to be pulled upward, floating toward the exit of the cavernous base. As she was dragged by their malevolent hands, the stone walls glistened faintly with the faint residue of dark magic. The air grew colder, sharper, until she could see her breath in front of her.
Finally, they emerged on the surface, the cool, crisp air slapping her in the face like a balm to her raw nerves. The sky above was a sickly grey, clouds roiling with menace. Acrid smoke from smoldering bodies hung heavy in the air, stinging Lila's eyes and burning her throat. The once vibrant fields above the Resistance’s base were now scorched and blackened, devoid of life.
As they trudged through the ash-choked wasteland, haunting shapes flickered at the edges of Lila's vision - tortured souls trapped between realms, forever tormented by Tabitha's wicked spells. Their anguished wails carried faintly on the wind, sending icy tendrils skittering down Lila's spine.
Despair clawed at her heart. How many more innocent people would suffer under Tabitha's tyranny? How much longer could she withstand this relentless cruelty before it shattered her completely?
But even as desperation threatened to drown her, Lila clung to her plan like a drowning woman grasping for a life preserver. She had to end this nightmare and break Tabitha's hold on Penelope... before it was too late for them both.
Tabitha's laughter echoed across the ruined landscape, piercing Lila's heart like a poisoned dagger. The evil witch reveled in her triumph, drunk on the power that fueled her and the promise of even more. She wouldn’t stop until she had destroyed the Congregatio completely and reshaped everything in her image.
The orb floated above Lila’s head, mocking her. "Foolish girl," Tabitha sneered, her eyes flashing with cruel delight. "Do you think your pitiful sacrifice will be enough to save your friend? Or any of these miserable wretches? You’re only delaying the inevitable, nothing more. "
“We’ll see who’s right in the end,” Lila thought to herself as the Inquisitors channeled their energy to cast a teleportation spell. The final battle was about to begin.

((to be continued))