By morning, the entire city was on edge. Soldiers doubled their patrols, and the council gathered again to discuss the disturbing symbols on the gate. Aelric stood at the head of the table, his fists clenched as he addressed the leaders.
"We have to find out who did this," he said. "Someone in this city is working with the darkness."
"It could be anyone," Aldric said, his voice heavy. "A villager, a soldier, even one of us."
The room fell silent, the weight of suspicion settling over everyone.
Lyra broke the tension. "The symbols weren't random. Whoever carved them knew what they were doing. We need to start with anyone who has knowledge of dark magic."
"I'll lead the investigation," Seraphina volunteered. "We'll question everyone with access to the gates."
Aelric nodded. "Good. But we need to be careful. If we accuse the wrong person, we could tear this city apart."
The meeting ended, and Aelric joined Seraphina and Lyra in the courtyard to plan their next steps. As they spoke, a young boy approached them, his face pale with fear.
"My lord," he said, addressing Aelric. "I saw someone near the gates last night. A woman in a hood."
"Did you see her face?" Seraphina asked.
The boy shook his head. "No, but she dropped this."
He handed Aelric a small pendant, its surface etched with the same glowing symbols as the ones on the gate. Aelric held it up, feeling a faint pulse of dark magic.
"Whoever this belongs to," he said, his voice grim, "is the traitor."
That night, as they began their search, a shadow passed over the city. Aelric felt the air grow colder, and for a moment, he thought he heard a whisper.
The darkness is closer than you think.