A Desperate Gamble

The grandeur of the palace's interior continued to unfold before Victor and his friends as they ventured deeper into its labyrinthine corridors. Gilded tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of magic and history. Marble statues stood sentinel in alcoves, their stone gazes following the intruders as they moved through the opulent chambers.

However, an eerie silence clung to the air, punctuated only by the faint echo of their footsteps. The group couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, and the spectral guardian's defeat weighed heavily on their minds.

As they navigated the palace's intricate layout, it became increasingly apparent that they were trapped within its confines. Every exit led to a new corridor, every doorway opened onto another lavish room. It was as if the palace itself conspired to keep them within its opulent embrace.