Kael's eyes locked onto Lila. "What do you need us to do?"

Lila's gaze flicked to the artifact. "I need you to distract Ryker while I get close to the artifact. I can use my connection to him to disrupt the ritual."

Jungkook nodded. "I'll take care of Ryker. King Taehyung, can you-"

King Taehyung's voice rang out. "I'll help Jungkook. Minister Jin, can you-"

Minister Jin nodded. "I'll help Lila get to the artifact."

Queen Y/N's eyes locked onto Lila. "Be careful, Lila. We don't know what will happen if you disrupt the ritual."

Lila nodded. "I'll be careful, Your Majesty."

Just then, a new figure burst into the room.

"Wait! Stop this!" the figure cried.

The group turned to face the newcomer.

It was a woman with long, flowing hair and piercing green eyes.

"Who are you?" Kael demanded.

The woman's gaze locked onto Ryker. "I'm Aria. Ryker's sister."

Ryker's eyes widened in shock. "Aria? What are you doing here?"

Aria's gaze flicked to Lila. "I've been tracking Ryker for weeks. I knew he was up to something. Lila, don't do it. You don't know what you're dealing with."

Lila's eyes narrowed. "I know exactly what I'm dealing with, Aria. Ryker's obsession with power."

Aria's gaze locked onto Ryker. "You're wrong, Lila. Ryker's not obsessed with power. He's obsessed with something far more dangerous.

Ryker's eyes flashed with anger. "Shut up, Aria! You don't know what you're talking about!"

Aria's gaze didn't waver. "I know exactly what I'm talking about, Ryker. You're obsessed with the Shadow King."

Lila's eyes widened. "The Shadow King? What's that?"

Aria's voice was grave. "A powerful entity from another realm. Ryker's been trying to summon it for years."

Kael's eyes narrowed. "And you're just now telling us this?"

Aria's gaze flicked to Kael. "I didn't know the full extent of Ryker's plan until now. But I know we have to stop him."

Jungkook's eyes locked onto Ryker. "We're not going to let you summon anything, Ryker."

Ryker's smile grew wider. "You can't stop me. The ritual is almost complete."

Minister Jin's voice trembled. "We have to try. We can't let him unleash that kind of power."

Queen Y/N's eyes locked onto Lila. "Lila, can you still disrupt the ritual?"

Lila nodded. "I'll try. But I'll need your help."

Aria stepped forward. "I'll help too. I know Ryker's weaknesses."

The group steeled themselves for the battle ahead, ready to face whatever lay in store...

Suddenly, the air in the room began to distort and ripple.

Ryker's eyes gleamed with excitement. "It's starting. The Shadow King is coming.

Lila turned to Aria, her eyes filled with determination. "Aria, can you tell me more about Ryker's past? What drove him to summon the Shadow King?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.

Aria's expression turned somber, her gaze drifting to the floor. "Ryker was always obsessed with power and control," she began. "He believed the Shadow King could grant him unimaginable strength, and he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that goal."

Kael's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "But at what cost?" he growled. "The Shadow King's power comes with a terrible price, one that Ryker's not willing to pay himself."

Aria's gaze flicked to Kael, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ryker didn't care. He was willing to risk everything for his ambition, even if it meant destroying our kingdom."

Jungkook's voice cut through the tension, his eyes fixed on the shadowborn gathering outside. "We need to stop him before it's too late," he warned. "Shadowborn are getting stronger by the minute, and we can't hold out for much longer."

Queen Y/N's voice rang out, her eyes locked on Minister Jin. "Minister Jin, can you prepare the disruption spell? We need to act fast, before Ryker completes the ritual."

Minister Jin nodded, his hands shaking as he began to prepare the spell. "Yes, Your Majesty. But we need Lila's connection to Ryker to make it work."

Lila's eyes locked onto Ryker, her voice cold and deadly. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

Ryker's eyes flashed with excitement as he began the final stage of the ritual. "You fools!" he cackled. "You think you can stop me? The Shadow King will crush you all!"

Kael drew his sword, his eyes fixed on Ryker. "Not if we have anything to say about it, Ryker," he growled.

Aria stepped forward, her hands trembling. "Ryker, please stop this. You don't know what you're dealing with."

Ryker's gaze flicked to Aria, his expression twisted in contempt. "You're just jealous, Aria. Jealous of my power and my ambition."

Lila's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. "You're wrong, Ryker. We're trying to save you from yourself."

Ryker's laughter echoed through the room. "Save me? Ha! I don't need saving. I'm the one who will save this kingdom, by bringing the Shadow King's power to bear."

Minister Jin's voice cut through the tension. "We need to act now, Your Majesty. The ritual is almost complete."

Queen Y/N nodded, her eyes fixed on Lila. "Then let us begin. Lila, can you connect with Ryker and disrupt the ritual?"

Lila's eyes locked onto Ryker, her gaze burning with intensity. "I'm ready," she whispered. "Let's do this.

Lila reached out with her mind, connecting with Ryker's dark energy. She could feel the Shadow King's presence, lurking just beyond the veil.

Ryker's eyes flashed with excitement. "Yes, Lila! Join me, and together we can rule this kingdom!"

Lila's voice was steady. "I'll never join you, Ryker. I'm here to stop you."

Suddenly, Aria gasped. "Wait, Lila! Don't do it!"

Lila's eyes flicked to Aria. "What's wrong?"

Aria's face was pale. "I remember something. A dark secret. Ryker's not the only one who's been possessed by the Shadow King's power..."

Kael's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Aria's voice trembled. "I think...I think Lila's been possessed too."

Lila's eyes widened in shock. "No, that's not true!"

But as she looked within herself, she felt a dark presence stirring, a presence that had been hidden for so long...

Queen Y/N's voice cut through the tension. "We can't trust Lila! Minister Jin, prepare a binding spell, now!"

Minister Jin's eyes widened. "But Your Majesty, I'm not sure that's wise..."

Queen Y/N's face was set. "Do it, Minister. We can't take any chances."

As Minister Jin began to chant the binding spell, Lila's eyes flashed with anger. "You fools! You don't know what you're doing!

Lila's eyes flashed with anger as Minister Jin began to chant the binding spell. "You fools! You don't know what you're doing!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.

But it was too late. The spell was cast, and Lila felt a surge of energy bind her, restricting her movements.

Ryker's eyes gleamed with triumph. "Ha! You should have stayed out of this, Lila," he sneered.

But Aria stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "We're not going to let you win, Ryker. We'll find a way to break the spell and stop you."

Kael nodded in agreement. "We'll work together to find a solution. We can't give up now."

Queen Y/N's face was set. "I'll gather the wisest scholars in the kingdom to help us find a way to break the spell and defeat Ryker once and for all."

As the group began to make plans, Lila felt a strange sensation within her. The binding spell seemed to be weakening, and she could sense the dark presence within her stirring once more...

As the group brainstormed ways to break the spell, a soft knock at the door interrupted them. Queen Y/N's guard, Captain Orion, entered with a young woman beside him.

"Your Majesty, this is Elara, a skilled sorceress from the neighboring kingdom," Captain Orion announced.

Elara curtsied, her piercing green eyes scanning the room. "I've heard of your plight. I'm here to offer my assistance."

Aria's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! We could use all the help we can get."

Kael nodded. "Welcome, Elara. We're trying to find a way to break the binding spell and defeat Ryker."

Elara's gaze turned to Lila. "I sense the dark presence within her. It's powerful, but I think I can help."

Minister Jin's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think you can succeed where we have failed?"

Elara smiled confidently. "My specialty is spell-breaking. I've studied the ancient arts, and I believe I can find a way to free Lila and defeat Ryker."

Ryker snarled, baring his teeth. "You think you can stop me? I have the Shadow King's power!"

Elara's eyes flashed with determination. "We'll see about that. Let's get to work."

As Elara began to examine the binding spell, a commotion outside the room caught their attention. Shouts and screams echoed down the hallway...

Captain Orion rushed out of the room, his sword drawn. "I'll investigate the commotion. Kael, come with me."

Kael nodded, following Captain Orion out of the room.

Aria turned to Elara. "What do you think is happening?"

Elara's eyes were fixed on Lila. "I'm not sure, but I sense a dark energy spreading. It's connected to Ryker's power."

Minister Jin's face was pale. "We need to be careful. If Ryker's power is growing, we don't know what he's capable of."

Ryker's laughter echoed through the room. "You fools! You think you can stop me? I have the Shadow King's power, and soon I'll have the entire kingdom!"

Lila's eyes flashed with anger. "Shut up, Ryker! You're not going to win!"

Elara placed a calming hand on Lila's arm. "Don't worry, Lila. We'll find a way to break the spell and stop Ryker."

Suddenly, Captain Orion burst back into the room. "It's chaos out there! Shadowborn are attacking the castle guards!"

Kael followed close behind, his sword covered in dark energy. "We need to get out there and help. Ryker's power is spreading fast!"

Queen Y/N's face was set. "Then let's go. We can't let Ryker win."

As the group prepared to face the shadowborn, Elara turned to Lila. "Remember, Lila, I'm here to help you. We'll break the spell and defeat Ryker together."

Lila nodded, determination in her eyes. "Let's do this."

As they rushed out to face the shadowborn, a figure emerged from the shadows. "Wait! Let me help!"

It was a young man with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair, dressed in dark leather armor.

"Who are you?" Captain Orion asked, his sword at the ready.

"I'm Cormac, a shadow hunter," the young man replied. "I've been tracking these shadowborn for weeks. I know their weaknesses."

Aria's eyes lit up. "That's exactly what we need. Welcome, Cormac!"

Cormac nodded, his eyes scanning the group. "I see you have a powerful sorceress with you. Elara, isn't it?"

Elara's eyes narrowed. "How do you know me?"

Cormac smiled. "I've heard of your skills. I've been searching for someone to help me defeat the Shadow King."

Ryker snarled, baring his teeth. "You think you can defeat me? I have the Shadow King's power!"

Cormac drew his sword, its blade shimmering with a faint blue light. "We'll see about that. Let's go!"

As they charged into battle, a figure watched from the shadows. A mysterious woman with long silver hair and piercing violet eyes.

"Interesting," she whispered to herself. "A shadow hunter, a sorceress, and a binding spell. This could be the key to defeating the Shadow King..."