A thick fog blanketed the deep valley, a place where the sun never fully reached. After leaving the ancient mountains, Arin's group entered a land where the people lived in silence and fear. Everywhere, black banners with the sigil of a shadowy dragon hung—the mark of the Shadow Empire.
The Silent Sorceress, her voice trembling, whispered:
"This realm has bound itself to darkness… Their magic is like a wound, one that never heals."
The runaway prince, his face grim, replied:
"The Shadow Empire is one of the deadliest forces in this world. Even my own empire avoided confronting them directly."
In a small village along the road, doors slammed shut and curtains were drawn as the travelers passed. No one dared to speak—except for one old woman, who whispered:
"If you continue down this path, the Shadow Wardens will find you. No one has ever returned alive from the Black Border…"
But Arin, with determination in his eyes, answered:
"We must continue, no matter how dark the road ahead becomes."
At that moment, the sky turned crimson, and the thunder of hooves echoed through the valley. Black flames burned in the distance—the Wardens of the Shadow Empire were closing in…