"Show yourself!" Lotor demanded into the fog that curled in heavy sheets over the rocky terrain. He steeled himself for another attack. The prince slowed himself into a careful jog. With a swallow, he stepped in the only direction he could go: forward.
His rising fear for Allura was now being pushed back with a sense of dread for himself. What have I done?
He asked the question another time before a wave of anxiety came over him, heightening his senses. The hair on the back of his neck prickled. He readied himself for another attack from the being he was chasing.
As expected, it came with ferocity. The wind kicked up suddenly and a blast of energy hit him in the chest like a lightning bolt.
The shadowy creature danced in and out of physical sight amidst the heavy air. The tantalising drove Lotor into another violent rage. He hated being manipulated and with each manifestation, he couldn't help but think that was exactly what the creature was doing.
With a tentative focus, Lotor tapped back into his anger. It was a foreign slippery concept to imagine, much less to put into use. However, need drove him to do what he previously only imagined. He took the bolt and sloppily threw the mass of quintessence back to sender.
The glowing ball of light was easily dismissed into the wall of the ravine, causing a massive shudder to run down the slope.
"You are a fast learner. Submit to me, and I will cause you to do amazing feats," the spectre said before vanishing once again.
Still, Lotor did not understand the plot his opponent followed. He spat back blindly, "I submit to no one."
"You will to me!" The power in the voice surmounted the roaring wind.
A flash erupted over the ground and Lotor was cast backwards. The prince landed hard and rolled several meters before he found his balance and he came back on his feet. Lotor's instincts told him to sidestep milliseconds before another wave of energy disintegrated the rocks where Lotor had previously stood.
The moment of respite was not enough, however. His attacker was once again on the offensive and Lotor was forced to pivot and roll to remain alive.
Exhaustion quickly approached as Lotor hit the ground another time, summersaulting to the edge of a small dell. He briefly thought about taking refuge in the depression.
He was unable to make good his escape when a crippling weight stole the breath from his lungs. Gravity came crashing down on his limbs and the prince was inexplicably immobilised.
The fiend appeared in front of him. It took one long languid stride towards him before reaching a slender hand outward.
Lotor fell engrossed in its deep crimson stare. Time slowed and the world took on a grey hue. The wind stopped.
Even with his mortal self pinned, Lotor felt his soul lift into another realm. It was terrifying and tempting all at once.
The whisper came like the shudder of thunder from a distant storm. "Surrender to me."
No.
The voice in Lotor's head returned in brazen rebellion. The moment of transfiguration snapped to a close. The weight of worlds slammed over Lotor's aching muscles. The spectre's anger was palpable as heat coursing over the half-galran like running water.
He desperately tried to find the composure to fight back. The realisation that he had in fact taken on too much dawned on him as his body felt like it was being torn apart. The spectre's essence ghosted metaphorical hands over his entire form, violating him, searching him, groping through his spirit to steal his strength.
In the moment of connexion, Lotor saw an insight into the being's plans.
He saw a flash of Altea, clung onto possessively. He saw a gnarled, twisted hand clenched in a fist. A crumpled old man breathing raggedly and begging for mercy. He felt a mutual understanding. A prisoner sat alone in a cage.
Lotor let out a mournful groan. It can't end like this. He wondered how they would find his body. If they ever would.
It wont end like this. Fight… I am!
He moaned again as the life energy was sucked out of him. Terror was on the brink of consuming him. He helplessly let go, unable to stop the rape of his inner most self.
Then there was nothing.
Like glass shattering in a peaceful silence, the pain stopped. Everything stopped.
He opened his eyes, unsure of when he had closed them.
A blinding flash of cerulean light lit up the rocky slope. He shielded his eyes from the intensity as another wave of heat cast stark shadows on the surroundings.
Her familiar essence filled the void where fear had once been. Allura.
Lotor watched mesmerised as she pirouetted from the shadow's violet attack. Her hands gracefully tilted a sapphire staff, weaving a basket of light around her that sent the failed attempt reaching for the stars erratically.
The shadow vanished from his sight, but the princess continued fighting unhindered.
Allura could see the wraith as waking day, her eyes followed the nimble spectre as it leapt over the rocky terrain. She charged forward moving on her advantage and jumped to meet the wraith mid-air.
Lotor heard the wet smack of her staff contacting organic life. Another flash of energy dissipation and the princess rolled to the floor.
The apparition dropped from the sky. It landed awkwardly. Before it could regain its balance, the princess was attacking once more. She spun and landed a powerful blow across its midsection.
The being was thrown into the ravine's wall in a plume of dust. Its red eyes blazed with the fury of a cornered animal. Smoke rolled off the creature in curling fumes.
In one final attack, it shrieked and staggered towards Lotor.
The prince instantly righted himself and braced for impact. He actually flinched when Allura cried out, extending her glowing hand. "Go!"
A blast as thick as Lotor's leg shot through the cold air. It hit the spectre at its center.
An otherworldly scream shook through the air. It tore through Lotor's mind. His heart leapt into his throat, but the awe-inspiring sight of power before him kept his eyes glued to the carnage.
The wraith expanded into a cloud of oily smoke before dispersing in a horrific screech… Into myriad blue wisps.