Chapter 35: The Final Showdown

We stood at the edge of the smoking crater, the remnants of the explosion still lingering in the air. The entity was gone, and the artifacts were destroyed, but there was a palpable tension among us. The real Harlan, though freed from his prison, seemed troubled.

"There’s something you all need to know," Harlan said, breaking the silence. "The shape-shifter you just fought—it was only a fragment of its true form."

"What do you mean?" Mara asked, her eyes narrowing.

Harlan took a deep breath. "The entity we encountered here was a manifestation, a physical form it used to interact with our world. But its core essence, the true shape-shifter, resides elsewhere."

Lena looked worried. "So, it's not over yet?"

Harlan shook his head. "No. The shape-shifter's true essence is still out there, and it’s more dangerous than ever. The good news is that without the artifacts, its power is significantly weakened. However, it will still try to regain its strength."

"How do we stop it for good?" I ask