Chapter 9 Isaac's Curse

"It's the mark of the Wraith King," Selene whispered, staring at Isaac's writhing form.

Alistair knelt beside Isaac, panic in his eyes. "What does it mean? How do we stop it?"

Selene shook her head slowly. "It's already too late. The mark is spreading. He's... dying."

Isaac groaned, clutching his chest. "I can feel it... burning inside me."

Alistair grabbed Isaac's hand, his voice shaking. "Stay with me, Isaac. We'll find a way to stop this."

Isaac's eyes filled with fear. "It's... too strong. I can't fight it."

Selene looked away, her voice trembling. "The curse is taking over his body. Soon, the Wraith King will control him completely."

Alistair's fists tightened. "No. I won't let that happen."

Isaac gasped, pain surging through him. "I... I don't want to die like this."

"We won't let you die," Alistair promised, though fear gripped his heart.

Selene knelt beside them, her eyes filled with sorrow. "There's only one way to stop the Wraith King's curse. But it's dangerous."

Alistair looked at her, desperation in his voice. "What do we have to do?"

Selene hesitated. "There's a ritual... but it's powerful, and it requires great sacrifice."

Isaac coughed, his body trembling. "Sacrifice? What... kind of sacrifice?"

Selene's face paled. "A life must be given in exchange for breaking the curse."

Alistair's eyes widened. "No. There has to be another way."

Isaac groaned again, his body convulsing. "I... I don't have much time."

Alistair turned to Selene, his voice hard. "We're not sacrificing anyone. There must be another way."

Selene shook her head. "This is the only way to save him. If we don't do the ritual, the Wraith King will take over Isaac's body completely."

Isaac's breathing grew heavier. "I can... feel him. He's getting closer."

Alistair grabbed Isaac's shoulder. "Stay with me, Isaac. We're not giving up."

Isaac looked at Alistair, pain in his eyes. "You... you should leave me. Let me go before it's too late."

Alistair's voice was firm. "No. I'm not leaving you behind."

Isaac shook his head weakly. "You don't understand... the Wraith King... he's coming for all of us."

Selene looked at Isaac, her eyes full of pity. "He's right, Alistair. The Wraith King won't stop until he has control over Isaac. If we don't stop it now, Isaac will become one of his servants."

Alistair clenched his fists, his mind racing. "I'm not letting him turn into one of those creatures."

Isaac's voice was weak. "Alistair... you need to go. Save yourself."

"No!" Alistair shouted, his anger rising. "I won't leave you to die like this."

Isaac closed his eyes, his body shaking with pain. "It's... better if you do. You can't fight the Wraith King."

Selene placed a hand on Alistair's arm. "We have to make a decision now. The curse is spreading faster than I thought."

Alistair's heart pounded. "There must be another way. We can't just let Isaac die."

Isaac's voice was barely a whisper. "I can feel him... inside my head... he's coming."

Alistair's breath quickened. He didn't want to lose Isaac, but the thought of sacrificing another life made his stomach turn. "We can find another way. We just need more time."

Selene's voice was soft. "We don't have time, Alistair. The Wraith King is already taking over Isaac. Soon, he'll be completely lost."

Isaac's body jerked suddenly, his eyes wild with fear. "It's happening... I can't... stop him."

Alistair grabbed his shoulders, trying to steady him. "Stay with me, Isaac. Fight it."

Isaac groaned, his body trembling. "I... I can't. He's too strong."

Selene looked at Alistair, her eyes pleading. "We have to do the ritual. It's the only way to save Isaac before it's too late."

Alistair's mind raced, torn between saving his friend and the terrible cost of the ritual. "There has to be another way. I won't let someone die for this."

Isaac's eyes were wild with pain. "He's... inside me. Alistair, you need to... run."

"I'm not running!" Alistair shouted. "We're going to save you."

Isaac's voice grew weaker. "You can't save me... not like this."

Selene's voice trembled. "Alistair, if we don't act now, Isaac will be lost forever."

Alistair stared at Isaac, his heart breaking. "I can't let him die."

Isaac gasped, clutching his chest. "It's... it's too late. He's coming for me."

Alistair's fists tightened. "No. We'll stop him. We'll find a way."

Isaac's body jerked again, his breathing shallow. "You... you have to kill me before he takes over."

Alistair shook his head, tears burning his eyes. "I can't do that."

Isaac's voice was desperate. "Please... don't let me become one of them."

Selene's eyes were filled with tears. "Alistair, we have to decide now. The Wraith King's power is growing stronger. Isaac won't last much longer."

Alistair looked at Selene, his heart heavy. "We can't sacrifice someone else."

Isaac's breathing slowed, his voice barely audible. "Alistair... it's better this way. Don't let him... control me."

Alistair knelt beside Isaac, his voice trembling. "I'm not going to let you die, Isaac."

Isaac's eyes fluttered shut, his body still for a moment. Then, suddenly, he gasped, his eyes snapping open. His hand shot out, grabbing

Alistair's arm with surprising strength.

"Alistair..." Isaac whispered, his voice filled with terror. "He's coming for you next."

Alistair froze, his heart pounding. "What do you mean?"

Isaac's grip tightened, his eyes wild. "The Wraith King... he's coming... for you."

And with that, Isaac collapsed, his body going limp as the dark mark spread across his skin, consuming him completely.

Alistair stared in horror, his mind racing.

Selene's voice was shaky. "The Wraith King has marked you, Alistair. You're next."

Alistair's breath caught in his throat. The Wraith King was coming for him.