Arin's words hung in the air, and Lyra's eyes narrowed as she considered his claim. "What do you mean there's something inside him?" she asked, her voice cautious.
Arin took a step forward, his eyes locked on Xandros. "I've been studying the ancient lore," he said. "I think Xandros's transformation is more than just dark magic. There's a... a presence inside him, one that's been trapped for a long time."
Kaida's grip on her sword tightened. "What kind of presence?" she asked, her voice wary.
Arin hesitated, as if unsure of how to proceed. "I think it's a piece of the Shadow King himself," he said finally. "A fragment of his soul, trapped within Xandros. The Shadow King's power is ancient and vast, and it's possible that a part of him survived his physical death."
Lyra's eyes widened in shock. "The Shadow King?" she repeated. "But he's been dead for centuries. The legends say he was defeated by the Lunar Guardians and the Shadow Slayers working together."
Arin nodded. "I know. But what if his darkness survived? What if it's been waiting for the perfect host to reclaim its power? Xandros's ambition and desire for power might have made him a perfect vessel for the Shadow King's fragment."
The implications were staggering. If Arin was right, then Xandros was more than just a pawn in a larger game – he was a vessel for something far more sinister. Lyra's mind reeled with the possibilities. Could they really save Xandros, or was he beyond redemption?
Lyra's gaze turned to Xandros, her heart heavy with concern. She had known Xandros for years, and the thought of him being consumed by darkness was unbearable. "What do we do?" Kaida asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arin's eyes locked on Xandros. "We need to try and separate the presence from Xandros," he said. "If we can purge the darkness, we might be able to save him. But it won't be easy. We'll need to perform a ritual to cleanse Xandros's soul and bind the Shadow King's fragment."
Lyra nodded, determination rising within her. "Let's do it. We can't just stand here and do nothing."
But as they watched, Xandros's eyes flickered open, and a voice that wasn't his own spoke from the shadows. "You fools," it hissed. "You think you can defeat me? I am the Shadow King, and I will reclaim my power."
The air seemed to grow colder as the voice spoke, and Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine. They were in for the fight of their lives, and the stakes were higher than ever before.