Sorrow and Starlight: Zodiac Academy 8

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, graphic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, self-harm, sexual content, and cursing.

Darcy hides beneath a table from the Shadow Beast. When it finally sniffs her out and flips the table, Darcy slashes its paw and then lunges for its throat. Her attack bounces off due to the collar of shadows around its neck. Realizing that she can’t kill it head-on, Darcy climbs onto its back. The Shadow Beast then charges through the palace as it tries to shake her off. Finally, the beast slows, and Darcy drives her mother’s sword between its shoulder blades, causing it to stumble. She then slams the blade into its chest, expecting to kill it. Instead, a blue light bursts from the wound. It crashes into her, and she collapses as her stolen magic finally returns to her. The creature, too, is freed. In a moment of compassion, Darcy chooses to heal it.

With the Shadow Beast now following her, Darcy regroups with Orion, and the couple embraces. Lavinia arrives and attacks them with shadow magic. Darcy strikes back with Phoenix fire, and they battle.