Chapter 28: A Desperate Gambit

In a flash of desperation, I reached out with every last ounce of energy, calling upon the power of the god of light. The air around me seemed to shimmer and respond to my plea, as a brilliant beam of light burst forth, illuminating the dark chamber. I focused all my will on Mari, directing the light's energy towards her. As the light enveloped Mari, I could sense a strange, tingling sensation, like the very fabric of reality was being manipulated. The light seemed to sear into her being, and for an instant, I thought I saw a flicker of confusion in her eyes. Then, in a burst of radiance, Mari's body began to glow with an intense, pure light. The transformation that had taken place within her seemed to be unraveling, as if the very essence of her being was being rewritten. Her eyes, once gleaming with an otherworldly intensity, began to clear, and a look of wonder crossed her face. As the light faded, Mari stumbled backwards, her gaze darting around the room as if she was seeing it for the first time. Her eyes, now a bright, sparkling blue, locked onto mine, and I saw a glimmer of recognition there. "M-Mari?" I stammered, unsure if I was addressing the person I had known or the monster she had become. Mari's gaze drifted down to her hands, and she stared at them in confusion. Her new body, once a twisted, nightmarish parody of her former self, now seemed alien to her. She looked up at me, and a mixture of fear and uncertainty crossed her face. "W-what have you done?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. I took a step back, still wary of her, but also filled with a sense of hope. The power of the god of light had somehow restored her mind to its pre-transformed state, even though her new body remained. "I...I didn't mean to," I stammered, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "I just wanted to stop you." Mari's gaze drifted around the room again, taking in the twisted, macabre decorations. A look of horror crossed her face, and she stumbled backwards, as if trying to escape the memories that haunted her. "You have no idea what I've done," she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears. "No idea what I've become." I hesitated, unsure of what to say or do next. But as I looked into Mari's eyes, I saw something there that gave me hope – a spark of the person she once was, a glimmer of redemption in the darkness.