The dagger remained in Serena's side—but her spiritual energy flooded out, wild and wrathful. It surged into Soreia's chest through her grip like a dam breaking, slamming her across the room with a force that cracked ribs.
The dagger clattered to the floor.
Soreia hit the cavern wall and slid down, coughing violently.
Serena stumbled too—one hand pressed against her bleeding side, her body shaking as black-gold veins pulsed wildly across her skin. But she stayed standing.
Across the chamber, Soreia wheezed. Her conjured necklace flickered one final time, then crumbled to ash. The foreign energy in her body flared violently without its suppressing effect. She convulsed once. Twice. Her mouth opened in a silent scream.
The statue still stood motionless, its burning eyes watching as both girls trembled in pain and exhaustion.
"Enough..." Serena murmured, barely audible over the hiss of acid and echoing breaths. "You're done."
