The gunshot rang out, but Trench knew before the bullet even left the chamber that it wouldn't be enough. The entity twisted, its form bending unnaturally, the shot disappearing into its inky mass without effect. A ripple coursed through the Astral Plane, and the world around them convulsed in response.
Then it attacked.
A force unseen but undeniable surged through the space, striking Trench like a physical blow. His vision blurred as he was hurled backward, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. He hit the fractured ground hard, barely registering the distant sound of Darling shouting his name.
Emily was the only one still standing, barely holding her ground as the entity turned its focus back to her. She gasped, her body shuddering as something unseen pulled at her. Her fingers clawed at empty air, trying to resist, but the force was relentless.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head violently. "No, I won't—"
The entity flickered again, its form stretching and distorting. The whispers rose, but now, they weren't just echoes. They were voices, speaking in unison, their words piercing through the haze.
"Come and see."
Emily's eyes widened. Her body tensed, then relaxed, as though something had reached into her mind and severed the part of her that resisted. Her breathing slowed. Her pupils dilated.
Darling saw the shift happen in an instant. "Emily—don't listen to it!"
Trench forced himself to move, dragging himself up just as Emily took a step forward, her expression blank. The entity's form undulated, the space around it cracking apart. It was waiting for her. Inviting her.
Trench knew what would happen if she crossed that threshold. And he wasn't about to let it happen.
With the last reserves of his strength, he reached out—not with his hands, but with the connection forged between himself and the Oldest House. The invisible force snapped forward, grabbing hold of Emily and wrenching her backward just as she reached the edge of the void.
The entity screamed. Not with sound, but with force. The entire Plane shuddered, massive fractures spiderwebbing through the air. It wasn't just breaking apart—it was collapsing.
Darling caught Emily as she stumbled, shaking off whatever grip the entity had over her. Her breath came in short gasps, her hands gripping his arms like an anchor.
"Control Point," Trench barked. "Now."
They didn't waste time. Darling activated the Control Point, its energy flaring in an unstable pulse. The entity twisted violently, its form flickering between rage and desperation.
"You will see," it whispered one last time, as the world around them collapsed into light.
And then they were gone.