Enchanted Shadows

Chapter 40 - Into the Abyss

**POV:** Loki

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I watched Maya as she stood at the center of the ritual circle, her eyes closed, her hands trembling with the power she barely contained. She was nervous, uncertain, and that was exactly how I wanted her. The time had come to push her further into the darkness, to bind her more tightly to me.

"Maya," I called out, my voice echoing through the chamber. Her eyes opened, wide and fearful. "You must focus."

"I'm trying," she replied, her voice shaky. She glanced at the runes etched into the stone around her, fear flickering in her eyes. "I don't know if I can control it."

"You must," I said coldly, taking a step closer. "This power within you—it's dangerous, chaotic. If you don't control it, it will consume you."

She took a shaky breath, nodding. "I know, but it's... it's so much."

I walked toward her slowly, my eyes never leaving hers. "And that is why you need me," I said, my voice softening into a dangerous whisper. "You are powerful, yes, but without me, you are just a vessel for chaos. You would destroy everything, including yourself."

She flinched at my words, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

"Then do as I say," I commanded, my voice hardening again. "Let me guide you."

She nodded quickly, desperation etched on her face. "Please," she whispered. "Help me."

I approached her, my hand reaching out to cup her chin, tilting her face up to meet my gaze. "Look at me," I ordered. "You must trust me completely. There is no room for doubt, no room for fear."

Her eyes searched mine, seeking reassurance, comfort. I gave her none. Instead, I offered her the harsh truth she needed to hear. "You are weak because you cling to the remnants of who you were," I said. "You cannot hold onto that and expect to harness this power."

"But..." she began, but I cut her off.

"Do you want to be strong?" I demanded.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Do you want to be in control?" I pressed.

"Yes," she said, louder this time.

"Then let go," I commanded, my voice like steel. "Let go of everything that binds you to your past. It is worthless. You are no longer that girl, living in your sister's shadow."

She swallowed hard, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know," she said, her voice trembling.

"Do you?" I sneered, releasing her chin. "Because it seems to me you are still clinging to the pathetic hope that you can be something you are not. You are not a hero, Maya. You are not like them."

She took a step back, her eyes wide with shock and hurt. "I—"

"Do not lie to yourself," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "You are different. You have always been different. And it is time you accept that."

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she nodded, her resolve hardening. "You're right," she said quietly. "I'm not like them."

A slow smile spread across my face. "Good," I purred, stepping closer to her again. "Now, prove it."

She took a deep breath, her eyes closing as she focused inward. I watched as her hands stopped trembling, her posture straightened. The power within her began to coalesce, swirling around her like a dark mist.

"That's it," I coaxed. "Feel it. Embrace it."

She shuddered, a gasp escaping her lips as the power surged through her. "It's... it's so much," she breathed.

"Do not fight it," I whispered, stepping behind her, my hands resting on her shoulders. "Let it consume you."

"But—" she began, her voice filled with fear.

"No buts," I hissed into her ear. "Do you think power comes without sacrifice? Without pain? This is your test, Maya. To become what you are meant to be, you must endure this."

She bit her lip, her body trembling under my hands. "I'm scared."

I tightened my grip on her shoulders, my voice a harsh whisper. "Good. Fear is the fire that forges strength. Let it burn away the weakness."

She took a shaky breath, nodding. "I trust you," she said, her voice small.

A triumphant smile curled at my lips. "Then show me," I whispered. "Show me you are not afraid."

She exhaled slowly, and I felt her begin to let go, to surrender to the power coursing through her. Her eyes opened, glowing with a dark, ethereal light. The air around us crackled with energy as she embraced the darkness within her.

"Yes," I murmured, stepping back to watch her. "That's it. Do you see now? Do you feel what you are capable of?"

She nodded, her eyes fixed on the swirling energy around her. "I feel... powerful."

"You are," I said, my voice smooth and hypnotic. "But only because you have accepted your true self."

She turned to look at me, her gaze intense. "This... this power. It's because of you."

I approached her slowly, a smile on my lips. "No," I said, lifting a hand to brush a strand of hair from her face. "It is because of you. I merely showed you the way."

"But I couldn't have done it without you," she insisted, her voice fervent.

I chuckled softly, enjoying how easily she fell into the web I had spun around her. "Perhaps not," I conceded. "But now, you must realize that with this power comes a price."

She blinked, confusion clouding her eyes. "A price?"

"Yes," I said, my tone grave. "This power demands loyalty, obedience. It does not tolerate doubt or weakness."

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine. "What... what does that mean?"

"It means," I said slowly, my eyes boring into hers, "that you are bound to it. To me. You must forsake everything else."

She took a step back, her face paling. "What are you saying?"

I grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to me, my grip unyielding. "You knew this," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "You knew that to become what you are, you had to leave behind everything you were."

"I... I didn't know it meant..." she stammered.

"It means," I interrupted harshly, "that you are mine. Completely. You must accept that."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded. "I do," she whispered. "I'm yours."

"Say it," I demanded, my eyes locked onto hers.

"I'm yours," she repeated, her voice a broken whisper.

A smile of satisfaction spread across my face. "Good," I murmured, releasing her wrist. "Now, embrace it fully. Let go of everything else."

She hesitated for a heartbeat, but then she closed her eyes, surrendering to the power. The room filled with the dark energy radiating from her, and I watched with cold satisfaction as she transformed before my eyes. She was becoming exactly what I wanted—an instrument of power, bound to me in every way.

When she finally opened her eyes again, they were filled with darkness, but also with an unwavering loyalty. She was mine, completely and utterly.

"Now," I said softly, extending my hand to her. "Let us see what you can truly become."

She took my hand without hesitation, her grip firm and certain. As I led her deeper into the abyss, I knew there was no turning back for her. She was bound to me, and she would do anything I asked.

In the end, it was not her power that I wanted, but her complete and total submission. And now, I had it. She was a queen in the shadows, a force to be reckoned with—but only because I made her so. And she would never realize the truth.