With a surge of adrenaline coursing through him, Kristoff made a split-second decision. He couldn't just sit back any longer; the stakes were too high.

"Time to get in the thick of it," he muttered under his breath, calculating his leap from the crates.

With a swift, practiced motion, he launched himself off the edge, his body twisting gracefully through the air. He landed silently behind the dark figure, who was still reeling from the combined assault of Vallin, Amarie, and Damien. The shadows seemed to swirl around the figure, but Kristoff was undeterred.

"Surprise!" he shouted, drawing his daggers as he struck from the shadows. With the element of surprise on his side, he aimed for the figure's vulnerable points, hoping to catch them off-guard. The blades glinted in the dim light as they sliced through the air.

The dark figure barely had time to react, turning just in time to see Kristoff's attack coming.

"You think you can sneak up on me?" they snarled, raising a hand to deflect the blow. But Kristoff was quick, darting to the side and landing another strike to the figure's shoulder.

"Not just sneaking!" Kristoff quipped, his heart racing with the thrill of battle. "I'm also here to end this!" The dark figure, now enraged, unleashed a wave of dark energy, but Kristoff was already moving, rolling away to evade the blast. He could feel the heat of the magic as it surged past him, but he was determined to keep the pressure on.Vallin and Amarie took advantage of the distraction Kristoff had created.

****

"Now!" Vallin shouted, launching himself forward alongside Amarie. They struck together, their movements synchronized as they aimed to overwhelm the dark figure.

Damien, still channeling his magic, focused on bolstering Kristoff's stealth. "Keep moving, Kristoff! I'll enhance your agility!" he called, weaving a spell that would allow Kristoff to dodge and weave even more effectively.

Kallin, meanwhile, took a step back to observe the battle, his instincts honed from years of combat. "We need to finish this quickly, lads!" he growled, eyeing the dark figure's flickering aura. "They're getting desperate."

As the dark figure staggered under the combined assault, their shadows began to writhe more violently. "You think you can defeat me? I will bring chaos to this world!" they screamed, their voice echoing ominously.

But Kristoff was undeterred. "Not if we have anything to say about it!" he declared, readying himself for another strike. In a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, Kristoff felt a rush of determination surge through him. He had a special arrow, one imbued with magic from a forgotten time-a weapon designed to pierce through darkness and chaos.

He quickly reached for it, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. With a steady hand, he nocked the arrow to his bowstring, focusing intently on the dark figure who was now reeling from the relentless attacks of Vallin, Amarie, and Kalin. The shadows around the figure swirled violently, but Kristoff's resolve was unwavering.

"Time to end this," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He drew back the bowstring, feeling the energy of the arrow resonate with the magic it contained. Kristoff took a deep breath, centering himself, and aimed carefully.

With a swift motion, he released the arrow, watching as it soared through the air like a shooting star, leaving a shimmering trail behind it. The dark figure turned just in time to see the arrow approaching, their eyes widening in horror.

"No!" they screamed, but it was too late. The arrow struck true, piercing through the heart of the dark figure. A blinding light erupted from the impact, illuminating the docks as the dark energy surrounding the figure dissipated like smoke in the wind. The figure let out a final, anguished cry before collapsing to the ground, their form dissolving into shadows that scattered into nothingness.

The group stood in stunned silence, the echoes of battle fading into the night. Vallin, Amarie, Kallin, and Damien exchanged glances, a mix of disbelief and relief washing over them. Kristoff lowered his bow, his heart racing from the adrenaline of the moment.

****

"Did... did we really just do that?" Vallin asked, stepping forward to inspect the remnants of the dark figure.

Amarie placed a hand on Kristoff's shoulder, her expression one of admiration. "You did it, Kristoff. Your aim was true!"

Kallin chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Not bad for a shadowy figure, eh? I'd say we make a good team lad!"

Damien approached, his eyes narrowing as he examined the area. "We must remain vigilant. This may not be over yet. The rifts are still unstable, and there could be more threats lurking nearby."

Just then, the hooded figure who had first warned them stepped forward, their expression filled with awe.

"You... you defeated them. But we still have much to do. The rifts are still open, and we must stabilize them before it's too late." Vallin nodded, feeling the weight of their mission pressing down on him once again.

"Then let's move. We need to find a way to close those rifts." As they prepared to move forward, the air crackled with the urgency of their task. They had faced darkness and emerged victorious, but the battle for time was far from over.