Chapter 54: Into the Shadow Fortress
The morning broke with a pale light filtering through the windows of the inn, casting a muted glow over Andriel's now-peaceful streets. Ryuto stirred, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and dread in his bones. Today marked the start of another journey, one that would take him and his team into unknown, likely dangerous, territory. The map they had retrieved the previous night detailed the location of a fortress nestled in the mountains, a place that had fallen into ruin centuries ago, abandoned after a terrible plague. This fortress, according to Celeste's research, was deeply entwined with dark energies, and the perfect hiding place for a cult like Xyldrin's.