Temptation's Shadow

The days following their encounter with the cloaked figure were tense. Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that they were constantly being watched. The weight of his past and the looming threats of the Order seemed to press down on him relentlessly. Despite his friends' support, the strain was beginning to show.

One evening, as the group rested in the mill, Adrian felt an unusual chill in the air. He looked around, noticing a small, folded piece of paper slipped under the door. His heart raced as he approached it, the familiarity of the situation causing a knot of dread to form in his stomach. He picked up the letter, his hands trembling slightly, and unfolded it.

"Adrian,

You have a choice to make. Kill Alaric, and you will gain power beyond your wildest dreams. You will be recognized by your family, honored and revered. Think carefully. Your future depends on it.

— Your Shadow"