The ancient fortress was a maze of crumbling walls and overgrown vegetation. Leo and Sofia led the way, their weapons at the ready. The rest of the team followed closely, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
Owen was at the back, his laptop in hand, trying to get a signal. "I can't get a clear connection. Something's interfering with the signal."
Sofia frowned. "It could be the Arbiter's magic. He's known for disrupting technology."
Evelyn kept her staff close, her healing abilities ready in case of an ambush. "We should find the scout team and get out of here. This place feels...wrong."
Leo agreed. The fortress had an oppressive atmosphere, as if the very walls held memories of violence and betrayal. He could sense the lingering traces of dark magic, and it made him uneasy.
As they turned a corner, they came across a small chamber with strange symbols etched into the stone. Leo felt a surge of energy, and his instincts screamed that they were in danger.
"Everyone, get back!" he shouted, just as the symbols lit up with a blinding light.
A burst of dark magic erupted from the symbols, sending shockwaves through the air. The team was thrown back, and the walls began to collapse. Leo managed to shield Sofia and Owen with his body, but the force of the blast knocked them off their feet.
Evelyn quickly used her healing powers to stabilize the team, but they were shaken. The fortress was now unstable, and they had to move fast.
"We need to get out of here," Sofia said, her voice urgent. "The Arbiter knew we were coming."
Leo helped everyone to their feet. "Let's find another way out. We can't go back the way we came."
As they navigated the collapsing fortress, they encountered more symbols and traps. It was clear that the Arbiter had set this place as a lure, hoping to capture or eliminate them. Leo's anger burned as he realized how far the Arbiter would go to stop them.
They reached an old staircase leading down into the depths of the fortress. It was their only way out, but it looked treacherous. Leo took the lead, carefully descending the steps, ready for any sign of an ambush.
The deeper they went, the colder it became. The air was damp and filled with the scent of decay. Leo's instincts told him they were getting closer to something, but he didn't know if it was their missing scout team or something far worse.