The night was thick with tension as Thalia and her reconnaissance team crept closer to the dark force stronghold. The forest, normally alive with nocturnal sounds, was eerily silent, as if holding its breath. Each step was deliberate, each rustle of leaves and snap of a twig causing the team to freeze momentarily. Thalia's senses were on high alert, her keen eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.
When they reached the edge of the clearing, the team crouched low, using the dense foliage as cover. The sight before them was chilling. A large, makeshift altar stood at the center of the clearing, surrounded by cultists who chanted in unison. Dark energy crackled in the air, pulsing with malevolent power.
"We need to understand what they're doing," Thalia whispered, her voice barely audible. "Spread out and gather as much information as you can. Be careful."
