Moonlight streamed through the jagged opening in the ceiling, illuminating the wreckage below. A man in a dark robe stood amidst the chaos, brushing debris off his cloak with deliberate, almost casual movements. His face was concealed by a silver mask, intricately marked with lines that seemed to glow faintly under the pale light, giving him an air of eerie authority.
The room held its breath as another object crashed through the ceiling with a resounding thud, sending tremors through the floor. Sir Richard acted swiftly, driving his sword into the ground, and with a surge of crimson energy, his aura expanded into a formless shield. The debris that followed shattered harmlessly against the barrier, protecting those behind him.
Sir Fredrick strode forward, his crimson cape rippling as he approached Richard. "What's the status?" he demanded.
