Chapter 52

Victor's resolve solidified as the night's events replayed in his mind. The realization that the darkness he had fought so hard to suppress had manifested in such a tangible form was both unnerving and enlightening. He understood now that his battle was not just against external forces but against the shadows within himself.

As the team regrouped in their hidden sanctuary, deep beneath the city, Victor addressed them with a calm but determined demeanor. The room was filled with a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation; the victory had been hard-won, but its implications were far-reaching.

"We’ve managed to stop the ritual," Victor began, his voice steady, "but what we faced tonight is only a fraction of the power that exists in the world. The cult’s leader was a manifestation of something that resides within me—within all of us, perhaps. This isn’t just a battle against external threats; it’s a battle within."

Selene, her brow furrowed with concern, stepped forward. "Victor, what does