ACROSS
 1. <struggle> CROSS SWORDS = S_ inside CROSSWORDS
 9. <final section> OUTRO = OUTRO[-w]
10. <orange> TANGERINE = TAN (I + GREEN)*
11. <like whiteboard markers> ERASABLE = ARE* SABLE
12. <spirit> PSYCHE = (.i)PSY CHE(e.)
14. <surplus> OVER = ←REV _O_←
15. <most eldritch> UNCANNIEST = (ANCIENT SUN)*
17. TOO (AS after KITE) Y = TOOK IT EASY <avoided anything strenuous>
19. ←Y + PSI← = I SPY <guessing game>
22. GAOLED* = OLD AGE <life, eventually>
23. <imprisoned royal with very strong locks> RAPUNZEL {princess that is locked up and who has very strong hair}
26. <trace> SCINTILLA = "SIN + TILLER"
27. ←ALL← after FE = FELLA <man>
28. (NOT I) MET ODE outside I = NO TIME TO DIE <Bond film>

DOWN
 1. <prevent access to> CLOSE <nearby> <cul-de-sac>
 2. <shock> OUTRAGE = R inside OUTAGE
 3. SLOG + AN = SLOGAN <marketing strategy>
 4. <killjoy> WET BLANKET = (KNEW BATTLE)*
 5. <phone sound> RING <what you get when engaged>
 6. <this> STETSONS = _S _T _E _T _S _O _N _S
 7. CLERIC* = CIRCLE <halo?>
 8. CENT inside RELY = RECENTLY <just now>
13. <instance of crying wolf> FALSE ALARM = FAL SEAL + ARM
14. THOU inside OUSE = OUTHOUSE <bog>
16. ⭯STONKING⭯ = KINGSTON <capital city>
18. OR + "DEIGN" = ORDAIN <decree>
20. <drunk> SOZZLED = SOZ (L inside ZED)
21. BUFF E_T_ = BUFFET <smorgasbord>
24. <permission> LEAVE <to resign>
25. <strip> SLAT = S_ LAT