The corridors after the Hall of Chains led them deeper into the heart of the Demon King's fortress. The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, and the dark energy around them grew denser. Adam led the group with his sparkling water sword, the Spirit Mark on his arm glowing softly, providing a bit of light amidst the darkness.
However, their steps came to an abrupt halt as three figures emerged from the shadows before them. They were the Dark Generals, the Demon King's right-hand men. Their auras were so powerful that the air felt heavy, even Nymara seemed shaken by their presence.
The first figure, Morgath, a woman with curved horns, clad in a black robe that suffused hellfire. Her whip, shimmering with dark energy, seemed alive, like a snake ready to strike.
The second figure, Dravok, a large man with a black armored body and a giant axe that seemed unmatched. Every step he took shook the stone floor.
The third figure, Zyren, a hooded man with glowing red eyes that radiated a dark aura. His staff was filled with runes that pulsed with black energy, making his every move feel oppressive.
"So it is you who have disturbed the peace of this fortress," Morgath's voice broke the silence, filled with peace. "Our king foretold your coming."
"You have played too far," Zyren said, his voice hissing. "Now, it is time to end this."
Adam raised his sword. "If you wish to stop us, then try. We will not retreat."
---
A Hopeless Battle
Morgath struck first, her whip lashing out like lightning, creating a wave of fire that burned the floor around them. Aelina tried to block the blow with her sword, but the force of the whip knocked her back.
Dravok lunged with his axe, striking Brogan with such force that the floor beneath him cracked. Though Brogan tried to block the blow with his hammer, Dravok's overwhelming strength knocked him back, blood pouring from his temple.
On the other side, Zyren summoned shadows that attacked Kael and Veera. Kael tried to shoot the shadows, but his arrows only passed through without harming them. Veera shielded herself with light, but the shadows' attacks knocked her off balance.
"They're too strong!" Kael shouted, trying to avoid the attacks coming from all directions.
Nymara hovered in the middle of the battle, trying to provide support. "We must stay together! Don't let them separate us!"
However, the power of the Generals was too great. Every attack by Adam's group seemed to have no effect on them. Adam's air swords, which could usually cut through anything, couldn't even penetrate Morgath's protective energy barrier.
"This is futile!" Brogan shouted, his body covered in wounds.
Adam gritted his teeth. He didn't want to give up, but the truth was starting to become clear: they had no chance of winning.
---
The Fall and the Teleportation
As the group began to lose hope, Zyren raised his staff high, summoning a great spell. The shadows around them gathered, creating a dark ball of energy that floated in the air.
"This is the end for you," Zyren said with a cold smile.
Before Adam could react, the ball of energy exploded, creating a wave of power that paralyzed them all. Adam felt his body being thrown into the air, the world around him spinning before darkness swallowed him.
When he opened his eyes, Adam felt the unfamiliar ground beneath him. The air around him felt different—fresher, but filled with an eerie stillness. He saw Aelina, Kael, Brogan, Veera, and Nymara around him, all wounded but alive.
"Where are we?" Aelina asked, her voice shaking.
Nymara surveyed her surroundings, her body light dimming. "They didn't kill us. They sent us somewhere else."
Adam stood slowly, taking in the sights around him. They were on a vast plain with towering mountains in the distance. Dark forests stretched around them, and in the sky above them two moons glowed faintly.
"We're not in the fortress anymore," Veera said, her voice filled with confusion. "This is… another continent."
Nymara nodded slowly. "They used ancient teleportation magic to kill us far from the fortress. This is another world, perhaps even a forgotten one."
The Beginning of a New Journey
Adam clenched his fists, feeling frustrated and hopeless. They had been so close to their goal, but now it felt even further away.
"We have to go back," he said firmly. "The Demon King won't wait, and we can't let him win."
However, Nymara cut him off. "It's not that easy. We don't know where we are, or how to get back. Besides, this place… I can feel a strong energy here. We have to be careful."
Kael stared at the forest ahead of them. "If we're stuck here, we should at least find a clue. Maybe this place has something that can help us."
Brogan nodded. "We'll survive, like we always do. But this time, we have to be smarter."
Adam looked at his friends, realizing that their journey had just gotten more complicated. But he wasn't going to give up. No matter what, he vowed to find a way back and complete their mission.
"Then let's get started," he said, leading his group into the dark, secret-looking forest.