Night had settled over the fortress, bringing with it a troubled calm that seemed to seep into every corner. The usual sounds of twilight had faded, replaced by an eerie, almost oppressive silence. The stone walls, bathed in the moon's cold, silvery glow, appeared more menacing and foreboding, and the wind whispered secrets that remained just out of reach.
In the secret chamber where Master Aeron continued his meticulous study, the flickering candlelight seemed to dance with an unusual intensity. The air was charged with a palpable, almost electric energy, as if the room itself was holding its breath. Aeron's assistants, deeply absorbed in their tasks, exchanged anxious and worried glances as the mage remained focused on examining the mysterious sphere and the ancient altar.