The Shadow of Betrayal
It should have been a triumphant journey back to the fortress: tapped into the wellspring and passed its trials, he had never felt this strong. His heart stirred with a glimmer of hope that this new strength could turn the tide in their fight against the Demon King. But there came a wave of unease when the fortress came into view.
The normal bustle of activity around the walls was unnervingly subdued. No patrolling guards on the outer gates, no calling sentries in greeting. The air seemed heavy, tense with something Alex couldn't quite put his finger on. He approached the entrance cautiously, signaling to his small group to stay on alert. Something was wrong.
The moment he stepped through the gates, his most trusted ally Elena came to him, pale with worry. "Alex you're back! But… things have gone terribly wrong."
