Chapter 37 The Final Trial

The universe around Alex wavered and curved, causing reality to bend to accommodate it. The last shreds of the Warden's dark energy remained in the air, a cloying, almost crushing burden that breathed in with each breath Alex took. Every time he breathed, it was as if he sucked poison into his lungs; the darkness closed down, crushing him alive beneath its force. His heart pounded within his chest for raw, unyielding fear and not from physical weariness. "Mara?" he bellowed, a hoarse, raw attempt. He searched in the darkness with bleary eyes until all he could see was Warden standing there, cold amusement spreading wide on its face.