As the sun rose over the city of shadows, Daniel and his companions made their way towards the edge of town. They had spent the night in a small inn, but had not slept well. The feeling of being watched had never left them, and they had heard strange noises throughout the night.
As they walked, they noticed that the sky was growing darker. It was as if a storm was brewing, even though there had been no sign of rain the day before.
As they neared the outskirts of the city, they heard a rustling in the bushes. Daniel drew his sword, and the group prepared for battle.
Out of the bushes burst a group of creatures they had never seen before. They were like nothing they had ever encountered, with long, sharp teeth and razor-sharp claws.
Daniel and his companions fought bravely, but the creatures were fast and agile. It was as if they could anticipate their every move.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, a group of travelers appeared from out of nowhere. They were armed with weapons that glowed with an otherworldly light, and they fought with a skill that Daniel and his companions had never seen before.
Together, they were able to defeat the creatures, but not without sustaining injuries. As they caught their breath, Daniel and his companions thanked their saviors.
"Who are you?" Daniel asked.
"We are the guardians of the city," one of the travelers replied. "We have been tasked with protecting it from all who would seek to do it harm."
Daniel nodded. "We did not mean to cause harm. We are simply travelers seeking knowledge."
The guardians regarded them for a moment before nodding. "We understand," they said. "But be careful. There are many dangers in this city, some of which you may not have even imagined."
And with that, the guardians disappeared into the shadows, leaving Daniel and his companions to continue on their journey.