The dark corridors of the fortress stretched before them like a labyrinth of despair. The cold stone walls seemed to pulse with malevolent energy, shadows flickering in the dim light cast by the few torches that dotted the hallways. Each step echoed ominously, reminding Aric and his companions that they were deep within the sorcerer's domain—a place where light struggled to survive.
"We can't keep pushing forward blindly," Kael muttered, his voice low as he scanned the path ahead. "This place is a trap, every stone, every shadow."
Aric nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. The battle in the courtyard had left them all weary, and the dark magic surrounding the fortress was draining their strength even further. But they couldn't afford to stop, not now, with the sorcerer so close. Every moment they delayed gave him more time to prepare his next attack.
Jorath, walking beside them, had grown even paler, his eyes glazed with exhaustion. His magic had been their only defense against the dark warriors, but the cost had been high. "We must be cautious," he whispered. "The shadows here… they are alive. I can feel them watching, waiting."
As if in response to his words, a gust of wind swept through the corridor, extinguishing the torches ahead. Darkness fell over them, thick and oppressive. The air grew colder, and the sound of whispers began to rise, faint at first, but growing louder with each passing moment.
"We're not alone," Kael said, drawing an arrow and nocking it to his bow. His sharp eyes tried to pierce through the blackness, but the shadows seemed to shift and twist, hiding whatever lurked within them.
Suddenly, a shape darted from the darkness, swift and silent. Kael loosed an arrow, the shaft flying true, but the figure dissolved into the shadows before the arrow could strike.
"They're toying with us," Aric growled, stepping forward with his sword raised. "Show yourselves!"
The shadows around them thickened, coalescing into figures—dark, humanoid shapes with glowing eyes, their bodies flickering like smoke. They circled the group, their movements fluid and unnatural.
"The Abyssal Wraiths," Jorath said grimly, his voice filled with dread. "They are the sorcerer's minions, creatures of pure darkness. They thrive in places like this, feeding off the fear and despair of those who wander too far into the abyss."
Aric tightened his grip on his sword. "Then we'll give them something to fear."
With a shout, he lunged at the nearest wraith, his blade slicing through the air. The creature moved with unnatural speed, its body shifting and reforming as it dodged his strike. Aric swung again, this time connecting with the wraith's torso, but his sword passed through it as if it were made of mist.
"Physical attacks won't work!" Jorath warned. "They're bound to the shadows! Only magic can dispel them."
Kael cursed under his breath. "Then we're in trouble. Jorath, can you do anything?"
Jorath's hands trembled as he began to chant, summoning the last reserves of his strength. A faint glow appeared around his fingertips, but the wraiths were already closing in, their twisted forms moving like phantoms through the darkness.
"We need more time!" Aric shouted, swinging his sword in a wide arc to keep the wraiths at bay. "Jorath, focus!"
Kael fired arrows into the mass of shadows, but each shot was met with the same result—nothing but air. The wraiths seemed to laugh, their whispers growing louder as they danced around their prey.
Just as it seemed they would be overwhelmed, a burst of light erupted from Jorath's hands. The wraiths shrieked, their forms flickering and dissolving as the magic washed over them. For a moment, the corridor was clear, and the oppressive darkness lifted slightly.
"Go!" Jorath gasped, stumbling forward. "We have to keep moving before more come."
They didn't need to be told twice. Aric led the way, pushing forward through the now-empty corridor, Kael close behind him. Jorath struggled to keep pace, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he pressed on, knowing that if they stopped, the shadows would return.
The fortress seemed to stretch on forever, twisting and turning like a maze designed to confuse and disorient them. Every step they took deeper into the fortress made the air feel heavier, as if they were sinking into the abyss itself.
"We need to find a way out of these halls," Aric said, frustration creeping into his voice. "We can't keep running in circles."
As if answering his plea, they came upon a massive stone door at the end of the corridor, its surface covered in strange, glowing runes. The door radiated a faint, pulsating energy, different from the malevolent force that filled the rest of the fortress.
"This is it," Jorath said, his voice weak but determined. "The entrance to the inner sanctum. Beyond this door lies the sorcerer's true domain."
Aric approached the door cautiously, his hand brushing over the glowing runes. They pulsed under his touch, warm and inviting, yet there was an underlying sense of danger that set his nerves on edge.
"Do we just… open it?" Kael asked, eyeing the door warily.
Jorath shook his head. "The runes are a protection spell. We can't enter unless the spell is broken."
"And how do we do that?" Aric asked, already knowing the answer.
"With magic," Jorath said, his voice barely more than a whisper. He raised his hands once more, though it was clear he had little strength left. "I can try, but it will take everything I have."
Aric and Kael exchanged a glance. They knew Jorath was pushing himself to his limit, but they had no other choice. If they didn't break through this door, the sorcerer's reign of terror would continue, and the entire realm would be consumed by darkness.
"Do it," Aric said, stepping back to give Jorath room.
With a deep breath, Jorath began to chant, the words of the spell echoing through the corridor. The runes on the door glowed brighter, pulsating with energy, as Jorath's magic slowly began to unravel the protective barrier.
But as the runes dimmed, the shadows around them began to stir once more. The wraiths were returning, drawn by the power of the spell.
"Hurry, Jorath!" Kael shouted, his bow at the ready as the first of the wraiths materialized from the darkness.
Jorath's voice faltered, but he didn't stop. He poured the last of his strength into the spell, the runes flickering as they began to dissolve.
The door creaked open, just enough for them to slip through.
"Go!" Aric shouted, pulling Jorath along as they pushed through the narrow opening. The door slammed shut behind them, the wraiths cut off by the barrier once more.
They had made it.
But as they stood in the vast, empty chamber beyond the door, they realized their true battle was only beginning.