The place was gloomy, shrouded in a gloom that, despite the little sunlight that managed to get through those reddish clouds, felt oppressive and desolate. Everyone's faces were pale, filled with sadness and frustration. They had lost not only a friend, but also someone with whom they had shared countless difficulties: their leader. Benjamin, although lacking in many virtues, was not different from them in any way. After that endearing combat in which they were left alone on the bridge, they decided to stealthily return to the village of the vagabonds. Silence and caution accompanied their steps until they found refuge in a safe building, where they could spend a quiet night and process what had happened.
Brenda broke the silence that filled the room, her words heavy with regret:
Brenda: "We should have been more cautious... we confided in each other thinking that Benjamin could do it alone."
Rosario was still leaning against the wall, her thoughts getting darker and darker. This strange and cruel world, where survival was the only thing that mattered, was changing them. He transformed them into something they had never been, confronting them with realities that in their easy and peaceful lives they had not experienced. He felt how the weight of everything he had lived was piled on his chest, how distrust and sadness were creating cracks in his spirit.
Pato, sitting in a corner staring blankly, finally broke the silence that had settled back into the room.
Duck: "Shit... we should have stayed behind, at home, where we could enlist. Maybe we wouldn't have had so many casualties and—"
Ibarra, who was standing with his arms crossed, interrupted him in a firm voice.
Ibarra: "If we had been in the neighborhood, they would have attacked us from all sides. Did you see the destruction those two caused in the city? Imagine what would have happened if they had fought there."
Russo, though visibly affected, nodded grimly.
Russo: "Unfortunately, although it's hard for me to accept it... You have a point."
Pato clicked his tongue in frustration, but did not reply. Uncertainty and regret were evident in each of them. Their minds were stuck in a cycle of "what would have happened if...?".
That's when Jamal, always pragmatic, decided to intervene. He straightened up, and his voice echoed in the room with a stern but necessary tone.
Jamal: "Thinking about what would have happened if we had done this or that is not going to solve anything. We are just wasting energy and mourning someone's death in vain."
Sasha, known for her rawness, added with a sad smile:
Sasha: "As they say, 'If my grandmother hadn't died, I'd still be alive.' It makes no sense to think about what we could have done. What matters is that we are still here, alive. Let us be thankful that it is not we who are dead or destroyed."
His words, though harsh, had a kernel of truth that they could not ignore. This was not the world of before, full of peace and time to reflect. This was a world in which anarchy reigned, where there were no rules, and the only law was that of survival. Only the strong survive, and if they did not adapt to this reality, they would become prey or corpses for some other survivor.
After that long and heavy night, the system informed them about the upcoming event: Taking the City of Cordoba. The plan to return to the neighborhood changed immediately. Now, they had to enter the city, investigate and take every possible strategic point, in addition to obtaining information about the monsters, the bosses, and above all, about the evil god who dominated the city. This was a provincial event, which meant that all of Córdoba would have to participate and get to the center, to the capital, where the main enemy was located.
However, this did not mean that all groups were united or that all intentions were noble. Jack's group had already proved the opposite. They then decided to split into two groups to maximize their efforts.
The first group, Alfa, would stay in the building they were in, which would be the strategic point number 1 near the bridge that gave entrance to the city. This group was composed of Jamal, Markitos, and Valentina.
The second group, Omega, would have the task of entering the city in search of information and taking strategic points such as shopping malls, means of transport and dungeons with materials. Rosario would be the leader of this group, composed of Ibarra, Sasha, Russo, Pato, Chino, Victoria and Brenda.
With the established plan, they said goodbye to Grupo Alfa and left for the city of Córdoba. They crossed the bridge and, once inside, decided to split up and explore on their own. The meeting point would be the Quinto Centenario Hotel, where they would set up a camp on the roof.
But this strange world, where survival was key, was changing them little by little, forcing them to experience what in their easy and peaceful lives they had never known. The distrust in Rosario's heart, the sadness in Brenda's mind, the fear that took root in everyone's hearts in the face of an enemy that seemed insurmountable. They were like hunters being hunted by their own prey.
Rosario and his team crossed the Centennial Bridge at dusk, when the daylight was beginning to fade and the gloom was taking over the city of Córdoba. The Suquía River flowed dark and menacing beneath them, its waters reflecting the flashes of ruined lights and the ominous shadow of partially destroyed buildings. The air was heavy with moisture, and the silence was occasionally interrupted by the creaking of collapsed structures in the distance and the distant howling of some unknown beast.
Grupo Omega, composed of Rosario, Ibarra, Pato, Chino, Victoria and Brenda, advanced cautiously, keeping their senses alert and their weapons ready. The bridge took them directly to Emilio Olmos Avenue, where the first signs of devastation were already evident. Abandoned cars blocked parts of the street, some overturned or set on fire, leaving a trail of destruction that spoke of the events that had occurred days before. The avenue, normally bustling and full of life, was now an empty and desolate vestige of what it once was.
Rosario made a gesture with her hand, indicating everyone to stop while she examined the surroundings. He knew they needed to split up to cover more ground and fulfill their mission. The main objective was to gather as much information about the situation in the center of Córdoba and find strategic points to establish their base of operations. In addition, they had to be on the lookout for any signs of the area chiefs and the crystals that had been mentioned in previous reports.
Rosario: "We split up here. Ibarra, Pato, take the right and follow Dean Funes Street until you reach Plaza Colón. Chino, Victoria, you take the left and go along Velez Sársfield Avenue to San Martín Square. Brenda and I will take Maipu Avenue and head towards the Bus Terminal. Everyone must return to the Quinto Centenario Hotel in three hours, whatever the situation. Keep in constant contact. Good luck!"
The group quickly split up, each duo taking their respective route, knowing that time was pressing and that every minute lost could mean a greater danger. Rosario and Brenda began their journey along Maipu Avenue, moving stealthily through the rubble and dodging the remains of a collapsed world. The buildings in this area, although less damaged than in other areas, still showed signs of struggle. Broken glass, cracked facades, and traces of recent fire were evidence of the clashes that had taken place.
As they moved forward, Rosario felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. His mind was focused on the mission, but he couldn't stop his heart from beating faster at the thought of what they might find later. He knew that they were entering unknown territory, and although he was confident in the abilities of his team, uncertainty was a constant in this new reality.
Dean Funes Avenue - Ibarra and Pato
Ibarra and Pato took Dean Funes Street, moving cautiously towards Plaza Colón. As they got deeper into the city, the buildings became taller, casting longer, darker shadows that seemed to devour the remaining light of day. The silence was oppressive, interrupted only by the sound of his own footsteps and the occasional distant noise of something moving in the rubble.
Duck: "This is a fucking maze... every corner looks the same."
Ibarra: "Stay focused. We know where we're going. We just have to get to the Plaza Colón and see what we find there."
Dean Funes Street, normally a main thoroughfare that connected with several important points of the city, was now a chaos of abandoned vehicles and improvised barricades. Ibarra led the way, his senses sharpened by adrenaline, while Pato covered his back, attentive to any threat.
As they approached the Plaza Colón, they began to notice traces of blood on the pavement, as well as footprints of what appeared to be huge creatures. The air became denser, and a sense of impending danger caused both of them to increase their speed. When they finally arrived at the square, they were met with a terrifying vision: a gigantic minotaur patrolled the area, guarding a huge egg that was being fed with human bodies. The creature, at least four meters high, was surrounded by what appeared to be dark crystals that pulsed with a weak but constant light.
Ibarra: "Shit... This is worse than I imagined. That egg... they're feeding it to people. We must inform the others immediately."
Pato, visibly disturbed by the scene, could only nod as he pulled out his communication device to send a warning signal to the rest of the group. They knew that they could not face that creature alone, and that their priority was to gather information and return to the rendezvous point.
Velez Sársfield Avenue - Chino and Victoria
Chino and Victoria quickly advanced along Vélez Sársfield Avenue, one of the main axes of the center of Córdoba. The avenue, which was once one of the busiest in the city, was now an empty and gloomy corridor. Shop windows were smashed, and sidewalks were covered with debris and broken glass. The smell of smoke and decomposition filled the air, making every breath a reminder of the devastation that surrounded them.
Victoria: "I never thought I would see something like this... all this destruction. How can we even begin to fix this?"
Chinese: "We won't do it. This is not our world to fix. We just have to survive long enough to make it to the next day."
Chino kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, but he couldn't help but notice the sadness in Victoria's eyes. I knew everyone was dealing with their own inner demons, but right now, there was no time for compassion or comfort. They had a mission, and any distraction could be deadly.
When they arrived at the Plaza San Martín, both stopped to observe their surroundings. The plaza, one of the most emblematic places of Cordoba, was now in ruins. The monument to St. Martin was vandalized, his figure decapitated and the remains scattered on the ground. However, what caught his attention was a black crystal in the center of the square, surrounded by what appeared to be reanimated corpses wandering aimlessly.
Chinese: "That crystal... must be one of the ones they mentioned. He's infecting the dead, reviving them."
Victoria, although frightened, managed to remain calm. He knew that they should get more information, but getting close to the crystal was too dangerous right now. They decided to take pictures from a distance and send a preliminary report to the rest of the team before continuing to the Quinto Centenario Hotel.
Avenida Maipú - Rosario and Brenda
Rosario and Brenda were advancing with quick but cautious steps through the desolate streets of the center of Córdoba. The city that was once bustling, full of life and constant movement, now resembled a nightmare scenario. Collapsed buildings, abandoned and burning vehicles, lay scattered along the avenues. The shadows lengthened ominously in the dim moonlight, casting distorted shapes that seemed to take on a life of their own.
The road to the bus terminal was long and dangerous. Rosario was leading, her eyes alert, scanning every corner for any sign of movement. I knew that in this new reality, anything could be a threat. From the street corners, deformed creatures lurked in the shadows, their eyes shining with an unearthly hatred.
Brenda: "I can't believe this is real... Cordoba, our Cordoba, turned into this."
Rosario: "You have to focus. This is what there is now. And if we want to survive, we must be ready to face it."
The two women had managed to get out of the initial chaos in the Plaza San Martín and were now heading towards the Bus Terminal, which stood as their only meeting point with the others. The sound of their footsteps was the only thing that broke the eerie silence of the night, a silence that at any moment could be shattered by the screams of the beasts that infested the city.
As they got closer, they began to feel a vibration on the ground, as if something colossal was moving in the distance. Brenda stopped her walking for a moment, feeling the ground shake under her feet.
Rosario: "Hurry up! Towards that side street!"
They both hurried to turn a corner, entering a narrow alley that the tall buildings kept in gloom. From the darkness, they heard a thunderous roar that reverberated through the deserted streets, a deep, guttural sound that made them shudder.
Brenda: "What was that?"
Rosario: "I don't know, but it's not something we can deal with directly. We have to find another route."
As they made their way down the narrow street, the buildings around them began to look less familiar. The Nueva Córdoba Neighborhood, which they once knew like the back of their hand, was now unrecognizable. The architecture was riddled with cracks, some structures completely collapsed, while others showed signs of having been brutally attacked by something bigger than any human being.
Rosario: "We're going to take Velez Sarsfield Avenue. If we continue there, we can go around the Plaza España and enter the Terminal from the south side."
The avenue stretched out before them like an open strip, bordered by what remained of the office buildings and commercial premises. The neon lights of yesteryear flickered sporadically, casting a spectrum of muted colors over the streets. The echo of his footsteps mingled with the distant hum of intermittent electricity.
Suddenly, as they were moving forward, a flash of green light lit up the night sky. A huge figure appeared on the horizon, walking in the distance, near the Plaza España. The creature had the shape of a centaur, but its size was ginormous, with the humanoid torso crowned by twisted horns and a pair of eyes that glowed with an unnatural brightness. Rosario and Brenda stopped in their tracks, watching in horror as the beast raised a colossal hand to the sky and conjured up a circle of energy that sizzled with destructive power.
Rosario: "Oh my God! We can't face that. We need to deviate even more."
Brenda: "What if he sees us? It's impossible for us to go unnoticed with something like this nearby!"
Rosario: "We'll have to run. Through the tunnel under Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenue. It will take us directly to the Sarmiento Park. From there, we might have a chance to get to the Terminal."
The tunnel was dark and damp, the walls stained by the passage of time and neglect. Rosario and Brenda ran through it, the sound of their rapid breathing reverberating in the enclosed space. The lights flickered erratically, creating shadows that seemed to dance on the walls, as if the tunnel itself were alive and aware of their presence.
When they finally emerged from the other side, they found themselves on the edge of Sarmiento Park. The park that had once been a place of recreation and joy, now felt ominous. The trees, which used to provide shade, stood like ghostly figures in the gloom, and the roads snaked through the terrain like arteries of a dying body.
Rosario: "We must cross the park quickly, the edge of the Texas Park is close. From there, the terminal is a couple of blocks away."
Brenda: "Look! There! Something is moving!"
Deep in the park, they saw a figure that had no recognizable shape, it was a mass of shadows that moved with an unnatural grace, sliding between the trees like a thick fog. The creature's eyes glowed a deep red, and it seemed to absorb the light around it, enveloping everything in a suffocating darkness.
Rosario: "Be careful! He is a living shadow! Avoid her at all costs."
The latent fear in both intensified as they tried to cross the park without attracting the creature's attention. Their hearts hammered in their chests as they made their way across the uneven terrain, avoiding making any noise. But then, the night sky lit up once more, and a rumble shook the earth. The shadow stopped, his red eyes fixed on them for a moment that seemed eternal, and then he began to move with terrifying speed.
Brenda: "He's coming towards us!"
Rosario: "Run, towards the Avellaneda Bridge! Don't stop!"
Both shot out across the park, with the shadow lurking a few meters behind them. The bridge that connected the park with the southern area of the city center appeared before them as a fragile hope. Rosario pressed her step, her legs were burning from the effort, but she couldn't afford to stop.
The bridge vibrated under their feet as they crossed it, and as they reached the other side, Rosario cast a quick glance back. The shadow had ceased its pursuit, stopping at the edge of the park, as if unable or unwilling to cross. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, but he did not allow himself to stop for long.
Brenda: "There! It's the terminal!"
The Bus Terminal stood before them, an imposing building that had survived the chaos, although not without damage. The outside lights were out, and the large windows had been smashed, leaving a silence that was only broken by the wind whistling through the damaged structures.
Rosario: "We can't let our guard down. The creatures we saw in the park could be here too."
They cautiously entered the terminal, their senses sharpened by adrenaline. The lobby was in ruins, with debris strewn everywhere and corpses lying in ghoulish postures. But they weren't just human bodies; among them, gigantic beasts had fallen, their deformed forms indicating that they weren't from this world. Some had horns, some had wings, and their skins were as hard as stone.
Rosario: "Keep your eyes open. This could be a trap."
Brenda moved behind Rosario, her breathing still agitated from the previous run. The silence in the terminal was deafening, a calm that felt like the prelude to an impending disaster. Suddenly, a sharp, metallic sound echoed in the empty space, as if something large was crawling on the ground.
Rosario stopped in her tracks, pointing her gun at the source of the noise. A gigantic figure emerged from the shadows, a half-snake, half-dragon creature, moving with the elegance of a snake and the brute strength of a predator. His eyes shone with a bluish light, and his scales glistened under the dim lighting of the terminal.
Brenda: "What... what is that?"
Rosario: "I don't know, but we're not ready to fight against something like that. We need to find another way out."
But before they could move, the creature raised its head and let out a roar that shook the entire structure. The walls vibrated, and the ceiling, already weak from deterioration, began to crumble. Rosario and Brenda threw themselves to the ground just in time to avoid being crushed by the falling debris.
Brenda: "We have to get out of here now!"
They hastily got up and ran towards the side entrance of the terminal, with the creature chasing them closely, its sinuous body crawling along the floor with terrifying rapidity. Rosario shot a quick glance back, watching as the beast began to load an energy ball into its mouth, preparing to attack.
Rosario: "Keep running, don't stop!"
The creature's power exploded a few meters behind them, sending them flying on impact. Rosario got up, feeling a sharp pain in her side, but she ignored the pain and helped Brenda to her feet.
Brenda: "No... I don't think we can escape."
Rosario: "Yes we can. We just need to get to the other side of the avenue. Let's go!"
They both ran across the street, and when they reached the other side, they hid behind an overturned truck. The creature, still inside the terminal, let out another roar of frustration, but did not follow them.
Rosario: "Are you okay?"
Brenda: "Yes, yes. Alone... I need a moment."
Rosario: "I know, but we can't stay here too long. We need to find a safe place before it's too late."
They both looked at each other, sharing a moment of silent understanding. They knew that the world they once belonged to was gone, and now all that was left was to survive one more day in this new reality plagued by monsters and shadows.
Without further words, they got up and started walking down the deserted avenue, with the terminal behind them and the road to the unknown in front of them. The city, their city, had become a battlefield, and they had no choice but to keep fighting.
Rosario and Brenda advanced through the destroyed streets, with the shadow of death always present around them. They knew that the meeting point was the Quinto Centenario Hotel, a place that was once a symbol of Moderna life in Córdoba, now turned into their temporary refuge. The road there would not be easy, and they both knew it very well.
As they approached Hipólito Yrigoyen Avenue, the atmosphere became more and more oppressive. The fog that hung over the city was dense and seemed to move with a life of its own, hiding the distorted figures of the creatures lurking in the darkness. The street lights, which were barely working, flickered intermittently, creating eerie shadows on the walls.
As they walked cautiously, Rosario noticed a change in the air: a dark, dense energy that seemed to come from somewhere nearby. Brenda felt it too, a shiver ran down her spine as they moved forward. It was then when, turning at the corner of Bv Street. San Juan, they saw something that took their breath away.
In front of them, in the heart of the city, stood a huge tower that was not there the last time they had passed through that area. The structure rose up into the sky like a dark colossus, made of a strange black stone that seemed to absorb the light itself. The tower was surrounded by an evil aura, and the ground around its base seemed to have been corroded by its energy. The roots of the tower extended below the pavement, as if it were rooted in the very bowels of the city.
Rosario: "What is this...? This tower... It can't be."
Brenda, her eyes wide, tried to process what she was seeing. The presence of the tower was suffocating, as if death itself was emanating from its walls. But what worried them the most was the figure that stood in front of the entrance of the tower.
There, guarding the front door, was an imposing being. The protector of the tower was a gigantic demon, with a body that seemed to be made of obsidian and bone. His eyes were an incandescent red, and from his back emerged black wings that stretched majestically, covering most of the sky above the tower. His armor was carved with ancient runes, and a dark aura surrounded him, distorting the air around him.
The demon carried a massive sword, the edges of which were sizzling with evil energy. When Rosario and Brenda stopped to observe, the demon slowly turned his head towards them, his piercing eyes pierced through them as if he was judging them from the depths of hell.
Rosario: "We can't face that... Not yet."
Brenda nodded in silence, completely agreeing. The protector of the tower radiated a power that far surpassed anything they had encountered up to that moment. Both of them backed away slowly, trying not to attract his attention more than necessary.
As they walked away, the tower seemed to be watching them, its sinister presence making them feel a tightness in their chest. The road to the Quinto Centenario Hotel now seemed even more urgent to them. They knew they had to inform others about what they had seen.
Finally, after several hours of walking in silence, with their senses alert and avoiding being seen by the creatures that patrolled the streets, Rosario and Brenda arrived at the Quinto Centenario Hotel. The building, although damaged, was still standing, a vestige of what was once a city full of life. Broken windows and conflict-scarred walls indicated that security was no longer a luxury the hotel could offer.
The lobby was trashed, with debris strewn across the floor and overturned furniture. Still, it seemed like it was a good place to meet up with the others. Rosario and Brenda went up to the top floor, where the group had decided to set up their temporary base. When they reached the roof, they were greeted by the tired but determined faces of the other members of the group.
Ibarra, Pato, Chino, Victoria, Jamal, Sasha, Markitos, Russo and Valentina were already there, each carrying with them the scars of the dangers they had faced on their way. Rosario and Brenda joined the circle, where the initial silence was broken by heavy breaths and whispers of future plans.
Rosario: "We found something... something that could change everything."
Everyone's attention was focused on Rosario as she began to explain what they had seen. He described the tower in detail, including the protective demon guarding the entrance. Brenda completed the story with her observations, emphasizing the evil energy emanating from the structure.
Jamal: "So, that's the strength of the evil god."
Sasha: "And he's surrounded by bosses and crystals... It won't be easy, but at least now we know what we're facing."
Ibarra nodded, and then, one by one, the others began to share their own experiences and what they had found during their scouting mission in the city.
Report by Ibarra and Brenda:
They had taken the road on the right, which took them to the bus terminal. What they thought might be a place to get vehicles and supplies turned out to be a death trap. The terminal was full of survivors trying to escape the city, but they had been ambushed by fast and deadly monsters. Ibarra described the carnage coldly, his words were harsh and direct as he recounted how the monsters attacked with indescribable ferocity, devouring humans before they could even react.
After fleeing the terminal, Ibarra and Brenda arrived at Sarmiento Park, where they encountered a high-ranking demon succubus. This demon watched them from afar, without attacking, but his mere presence was enough for them to decide to surround the area, avoiding any direct confrontation.
Duck and Chinese Report:
Pato and Chino had explored the Park of Nations. On their way, they found a dark crystal, similar to the one Rosario had described. This crystal was located in the center of the park, surrounded by what appeared to be a special dungeon known as "The Crimson Flame". Pato explained that this place hid a set of armor belonging to two ancient dragons, legendary for their ability to defeat high-level gods. Chino added that although they didn't manage to enter the dungeon, they could feel the powerful magical energy emanating from it.
Victoria's Report:
Victoria had investigated two hospitals: the Misericordia Hospital and the Police Polyclinic. Inside these buildings, she had found survivors, but the monsters were too strong for her to face them alone. She described how she had tried to help them, but the overwhelming number of creatures forced her to flee, taking with her the guilt of not being able to do more.
On his flight, he arrived at the Plaza de los Naranjos, where he encountered a winged demon knight. Surprisingly, this gentleman did not attack her, claiming that he could not face a defenseless woman because of his code of honor. Victoria expressed her surprise at hearing such words from such a fearsome being, but decided not to tempt her luck and continued on her way to the hotel.
Report of Rosario:
Finally, Rosario explained in detail her route along General Alvear Street. She had used her speed and stealth to avoid being detected by the beasts infesting the area. He described how he found several beast crystals at different points in the city, all guarded by colossal higher-level bosses. The monument to San Martín, the San Roque Hospital, the Plaza de Cielo Tierra, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Gastronomic Observatory and the Sanatorium of La Cañada were some of the places where these crystals had been erected, each guarded by a monstrous being that would hinder any attempt at destruction.
As the group assimilated the information shared, Brenda felt the urge to tell them what she had experienced along the way. He moved a little closer to the circle, his intense gaze reflecting the seriousness of what he was about to reveal.
Brenda: "Before we arrived here, while I was touring the city, I received a communication from my goddess, Athena. Through the system, he transmitted to me crucial information about the tower and its protector."
The atmosphere became even more tense as Brenda continued.
Brenda: "Athena explained to me that the protector of the tower is not just any demon. He is an ancient being known as Tartarus, a guardian of legends. Its purpose is to protect the door that gives access to the true source of power inside the tower. Tartarus is not just a warrior; his essence is said to be linked to the primordial forces of chaos and darkness. Those who try to break through the door without his consent will be condemned to face his wrath."
Rosario frowned, feeling that the weight of this new information oppressed her.
Rosario: "That means if we plan to come in, we'll have to deal with him first. We can't just deal with it with brute force. We must find a way to overcome his power."
Brenda nodded, acknowledging the validity of Rosario's words.
Tatar not only protects the threshold of the tower, but is also a master of deception, capable of disorienting anyone who tries to approach. But that's not all. Inside the tower resides the real enemy: the Horseman of Pestilence."
Rosario frowned, her mind working at full speed to understand the gravity of what Brenda was sharing.
Brenda: "The Horseman of Pestilence is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. His power lies in the diseases and suffering he can inflict on his enemies. It is said that whoever enters the tower faces not only Tartarus, but also the hordes of infected creatures that the Rider has released, beings that have fallen into madness and pain."
Ibarra: "That means we have to be strategic. We can't just take on Tartarus and expect to emerge victorious. We need a plan to deal with both."
The group nodded, understanding that the challenge was monumental. Each of them carried the weight of hope and fear.
With the revelation of Brenda and Rosario, the group understood that the key to accessing the tower was not found in a complicated ritual or in the search for magical objects. Instead, they had to destroy the crystals that were scattered around the center of Córdoba. Each crystal was an obstacle that kept the entrance to the tower sealed and, at the same time, a powerful guardian protected them.
With renewed determination, the group decided to split up to search for the diary and the amulet. Each of them knew that time was of the essence and that the darkness of the tower was waiting to devour the unwary.
As the shadows of the city enveloped them, the echoes of ancient battles echoed in their minds, and a new hope was kindled in their hearts. They were ready to face the challenge that awaited them, each of them carrying with them the desire to survive this dark and pain-filled new world.