The air was thick with tension as Adrian stood at the edge of the village. The night had fallen, and the moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the streets. His heart raced with a mixture of dread and determination. He had promised himself he would resist the shadow's influence, but the time had come for him to act, and the weight of his decision was almost unbearable.
Alaric and the others were busy with their preparations inside the mill, unaware of the internal struggle Adrian was facing. The shadow's letters had been relentless, and the latest threat had left Adrian with no choice but to follow through with the dark command. The shadow's grip on him had tightened, and he could feel its cold fingers wrapping around his mind, pushing him towards the dark deed.
