A few brave men

*Silver Pine Village*

*Outside the abandoned stables*

The cultists had set fire to the barn right outside the stable and gutted the guard dogs tied nearby. The cobbled streets leading to the village were bathed in blood, but the wounded had been taken to the village infirmary and the corpses had already been burned by the village chief.

The Ethereals had laid waste to the wooden fences and raided the only tavern in the village, causing tremendous destruction. Abigail and his companions had somehow mustered a resistance to push back the attackers, but they had barely managed to survive the night.

Silver Pine, however, was still not out of danger. The Nightmare Portal outside the stable had grown in size and was pulsating with dark energy. It hung over their village like a curse, threatening to cause another bloodbath.