And at the center of it all stood a figure cloaked in darkness, its eyes gleaming with malevolence. It turned to face them, a twisted smile spreading across its lips.
"Welcome to your nightmare," it hissed, its voice like a whisper in the wind.
Ego, Maya, and Ray stood firm, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. The figure before them exuded a sinister presence, its form shrouded in darkness that seemed to defy the flickering light of the torches lining the courtyard.
"Who are you?" Ego demanded, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at his insides.
The cloaked figure chuckled, the sound sending shivers down their spines. "I am but a messenger," it replied cryptically, its voice echoing like a whisper in the wind. "A harbinger of things to come."
Maya stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "What do you want from us?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of defiance and curiosity.