Chapter 40: A Shadow Rises
The air in Clashhaven was tense. Srabon and his group had returned from the Hollow Grounds, but the threat of the Shadow Master loomed like a dark cloud over the village. Villagers whispered in hushed tones, eyes darting toward the horizon as if expecting an army of undead to rise at any moment.
Mira paced in the war room, her brow furrowed. "We stopped one ritual, but how many more are there?"
Magnus crossed his arms, his jaw clenched. "If the Shadow Master can raise the dead, he could amass an army large enough to wipe us out."
Srabon stood by the window, his gaze distant. The memory of the dark energy swirling around the altar still haunted him. "There are three more sites marked on the map. If we don't find and destroy them, the Shadow Master's power will only grow."
[New Quest: Destroy the Remaining Ritual Sites. Reward: 15000 Gold, 11000 Elixir.]
A knock echoed through the hall. One of the village scouts hurried in, face pale. "Chief Srabon! There's... there's someone at the gates. He claims to have information about the Shadow Master."
Srabon exchanged glances with Mira and Magnus. "Bring him in."
Moments later, a hooded figure entered the war room. His robes were tattered, and his eyes glowed with a faint purple hue. Despite his ragged appearance, his posture was proud and defiant.
"Who are you?" Srabon demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
The stranger lowered his hood, revealing a scarred face. "My name is Lysander. I was once one of the Shadow Master's acolytes."
Mira's eyes narrowed. "Why should we believe you?"
Lysander reached into his robe and pulled out a dark amulet, the same rune inscribed on its surface as the one on the shattered altar. "I know where the next ritual site is. And I know how to stop it."
Srabon's gaze hardened. "And why would you betray your master?"
Lysander's eyes darkened. "Because the Shadow Master is no longer the man I once served. He's become something... darker. More powerful. And if you don't stop him, he will consume everything in his path."
[Quest Update: Destroy the Remaining Ritual Sites - Follow Lysander to the next location.]
Srabon stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Lysander's. "Lead the way. But if you're lying, you'll regret it."
Lysander met his gaze without flinching. "I don't doubt it, Chief. But if you want to stop the Shadow Master, you're going to need me."