**Chapter 11: The Heart of Shadows**

The blast of light energy sent Lirien stumbling back, her dark robes billowing behind her like a cloud of night. For a moment, Kagome thought she saw a flicker of uncertainty in the Shadow Weaver's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "You may have the power of the artifact," Lirien sneered, her voice dripping with malice, "but you have no idea how to control it. You're just a novice, playing with forces beyond your control." Kagome's smile never wavered. She could feel the artifact's power coursing through her veins, guiding her movements and amplifying her abilities. With a wave of her hand, she sent another blast of energy hurtling towards Lirien, but this time, the Shadow Weaver was ready. With a flick of her wrist, Lirien summoned a dark shield that absorbed the energy, sending it back towards Kagome. The young woman raised her hands, and the artifact's power surged through her once more, deflecting the energy and sending it harmlessly into the ground. The battle raged on, with Kagome and Lirien exchanging blows and counter-attacks. Kaito and the Winx joined the fray, their powers blazing with a fierce determination. Professor Palladium watched from the sidelines, his eyes narrowed in concern. As the fight continued, Kagome began to realize that Lirien's powers were not just based on her mastery of shadows, but also on her connection to the realm itself. The Shadow Weaver seemed to be drawing energy from the twisted landscape, using it to fuel her magic. Kagome's eyes locked onto Lirien, her mind racing with a plan. She focused her thoughts, reaching out to the artifact with a newfound sense of purpose. The artifact responded, its energy surging through her like a river of light. With a burst of inspiration, Kagome remembered the visions she had seen earlier, the ones that had shown her the artifact's true power. She saw a glimmer of hope, a way to defeat Lirien and banish the darkness that threatened to consume their world. The artifact's power surged through her once more, and Kagome raised her hands, unleashing a blast of energy that seemed to shatter the very fabric of reality. The ground shook, and the skies grew darker, as if the very foundations of the realm were being torn apart. Lirien stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock and fear. For a moment, she seemed to lose her connection to the realm, and her powers faltered. Kagome took advantage of the opening, striking out with a burst of light energy that sent Lirien crashing to the ground. The Shadow Weaver lay there, her dark robes tattered and her body battered. For a moment, Kagome thought she had won, but then Lirien's eyes flickered open, and a cold, mirthless smile spread across her face. "The heart of shadows," Lirien whispered, her voice barely audible. "You may have defeated me, but the heart of shadows will always remain, waiting to be claimed by one who is worthy." As Lirien spoke, the ground began to shake, and the skies grew darker. The very fabric of reality seemed to be unraveling, revealing a chasm of chaos and destruction that threatened to consume everything. Kagome knew that she had to act fast, or risk being pulled into the abyss. With a sense of determination, she reached out to the artifact, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.