Malakar stepped into the temple, his dark robes billowing around him. Behind him stood a group of cloaked figures, their weapons drawn.

  “You’ve been quite the thorn in my side,” Malakar said, his voice dripping with disdain. “But this ends now.”

  Kael raised his bow, his eyes narrowing. “We’re not letting you take the Aether Core.”

  Malakar chuckled. “You think you can stop me? How quaint.”

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  With a wave of his hand, Malakar unleashed a wave of dark energy, sending the group flying. Elliot hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him. He struggled to his feet, his dagger slipping from his grasp.

  Lila raised her staff, summoning a barrier of light to protect them. But Malakar’s power was overwhelming, and the barrier began to crack under the pressure.

  “We can’t hold him off forever!” Lila shouted, her voice strained.

  Elliot’s mind raced. They needed a plan, and fast. As he looked around the temple, his eyes fell on the glowing crystals embedded in the walls.

  “Lila! The crystals!” he shouted. “Use them!”

  Lila nodded, understanding his plan. She redirected her magic, channeling it into the crystals. The temple began to shake, the crystals glowing brighter and brighter.

  “What are you doing?” Malakar demanded, his smug expression faltering.

  “Ending this,” Lila said, her voice filled with determination.

  With a final burst of energy, the crystals exploded, sending a shockwave through the temple. The walls began to collapse, and the group barely managed to escape as the temple crumbled around them.