As Erik and his companions approach the towering citadel, they are struck by its imposing presence. The structure is made of dark, obsidian-like stone that seems to absorb the surrounding light, giving it an eerie, almost sentient quality. The air around the citadel is thick with the smell of decay and magic, and a sense of dread washes over them.They are greeted at the gates by shadowy figures clad in dark armor, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. These are the citadel's guardians, beings of pure shadow and malice, tasked with protecting the citadel from intruders.Erik steps forward, his demonic powers crackling around him, and demands entry to the citadel. The guardians regard him with a mixture of fear and respect, recognizing him as a being of great power. They step aside, allowing Erik and his companions to enter the citadel.Inside, they find themselves in a vast, dimly lit chamber filled with strange, otherworldly artifacts and relics. The walls are adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of darkness and destruction, and the air is heavy with the echoes of ancient incantations.They are soon confronted by the citadel's ruler, a powerful sorcerer known as the Shadowed One. He is a being of pure darkness, his form shifting and twisting like smoke. He regards Erik and his companions with a mixture of curiosity and contempt, seeing them as nothing more than insects to be crushed beneath his heel.Erik knows that they must defeat the Shadowed One if they are to have any hope of stopping the darkness that threatens the realm. With a fierce battle cry, he charges forward, his companions at his side, ready to face whatever horrors lie ahead in the heart of the Shadowed Citadel.