Chapter 66: The Final Confrontation

The dark mage's stronghold - a mighty fortress to the twilight sky, heaved before them, drawn in shadow and malevolence. Ariadne entered the fortress with her teammates; after all those journeys, it felt that a weight pressed down. They had been through so many trials, and this was going to be a final confrontation that would hold within it the fate of their realm.

An unnatural mist covered the stronghold. Air hung heavy, brimming with black power that visibly pulsed with life of its own. Walls thick with twisted runes and dark sigils spoke in this aura, boding malice, enough to send a shiver down their spines. With every forward step, their footsteps led deeper into the heart of darkness.

Ariadne squared herself against the forbidding structure. "This is it," she said, her voice quite steady as her hand was gripped with tension. "We need to be ready for anything."

Nodding, an unruffled light came from the Captain's polished armor. "We came this far; we shall meet what is inside, and