The dungeon's shadows stretched long and cold as Lysara stepped forward, a sly grin on her lips.
Without warning, her gaze locked onto Zane's eyes, and an invisible force slammed into his mind like a crashing wave.
The walls twisted and warped. Phantom whispers echoed around him. The floor beneath seemed to ripple and fall away.
What is this...? Zane staggered, clutching his temples as confusion flooded his thoughts.
Lysara's smile deepened. "You think you're strong, but your mind is weak. Let's see how you handle a nightmare of your own making."
Zane swung blindly, striking at illusions that vanished into mist. Panic surged.
From somewhere deep inside, Nyx's voice cut through the chaos, steady and calm. "Focus, Zane. Breathe. This isn't real."
He gritted his teeth, forcing his mind to clear. Slowly, the shifting shadows faded, replaced again by the cold stone walls of the dungeon.
Lysara's eyes narrowed. "Clever... but not enough."
She summoned sharp blades of darkness, hurling them with deadly precision. Zane blocked with his Endblade, sparks flying as metal met shadow.
With a burst of speed, Zane closed the distance, driving her back until she crashed against the wall.
But Lysara wasn't done. She whispered eerie words again, and suddenly Zane's muscles felt heavy, his thoughts sluggish.
Nyx's voice rang louder. "You can't let her win. Focus on me. On what's real."
Summoning every ounce of will, Zane locked onto the truth around him — the solid ground, the chill air, Lysara's defiant glare.
Slowly, the fog lifted from his mind.
He lunged forward, swinging his blade in a fierce arc. Lysara barely dodged but stumbled.
Zane stood over her, breath heavy but eyes clear.
"This ends now," he said, steady.
Lysara's lips curled in a bitter smile. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
The dungeon pulsed around them, but Zane knew — no matter the mind games, he was stronger than she realized.