chapter 25

The Return to the Council

As we emerged from the fortress, we were met with cheers and applause from the warriors who had fought alongside us. Eira approached us, her eyes shining with gratitude.

"Thank you, chosen ones," she said. "You have saved the world from the darkness. We will never forget your bravery and sacrifice."

I nodded, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. We had done it. We had saved the world.

But as we walked away from the fortress, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The darkness had been defeated, but I knew that it was only a temporary victory. There would always be forces of darkness seeking to destroy the world.

As we approached the Council's headquarters, I could see that something was wrong. The building was shrouded in a thick, grey fog, and I could hear the sound of distant thunder rumbling through the air.

"What's going on?" Riven asked, his eyes scanning the horizon.

I shook my head. "I don't know, but I have a feeling that it's not good."

We approached the entrance to the headquarters, and found that it was locked. The door was covered in a thick layer of frost, and I could see that it was frozen solid.

"I think we're too late," I said, feeling a sense of despair wash over me. "Whatever is happening, it's already too late."

But Riven just shook his head. "We can't give up now. We have to try and save them."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. We had to try and save the Council.

With Riven's help, we managed to break through the frozen door and enter the headquarters. Inside, we found that the Council was in ruins. The tables were overturned, and the chairs were broken. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash.

And then, I saw them. The Council's leaders, lying on the floor, their eyes frozen in death.

I felt a sense of shock and horror wash over me. What had happened? How had this happened?

Riven approached me, his eyes filled with tears. "It's too late," he said. "We're too late."

I nodded, feeling a sense of despair wash over me. We had failed.

But as we stood there, surrounded by the ruins of the Council's headquarters, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. We had to keep going. We had to keep fighting.

For what lay ahead for us now?

To be continued...