Chapter 38: Secrets in the Shadows
The victorious cheers of Redstone's warriors echoed through the night, but Srabon's mind was elsewhere. Despite winning Thorne's respect, there was still a heavy weight pressing down on his chest — the looming threat of the Shadow Master.
Mira found Srabon sitting alone on the steps of the Redstone hall, staring at the night sky. "You did well today," she said, sitting beside him.
"Did I?" Srabon asked, his brows furrowed. "We may have gained Redstone's support, but the Shadow Master is still out there. And we have no idea what he's planning next."
Mira reached into her satchel and pulled out a tattered piece of parchment. "I found this while the Redstone villagers were celebrating. It's a map — but look at these markings."
Srabon took the parchment, his eyes narrowing as he traced the symbols. They were dark runes, identical to the ones Aria had described when she mentioned the Shadow Master.
[New Quest: Decipher the Dark Runes. Reward: 10000 Gold, 7500 Elixir.]
"These runes... they're a warning," Srabon said, his jaw clenching. "And if I'm right, they indicate that the Shadow Master is preparing a ritual."
Mira's eyes widened. "A ritual? For what?"
"To raise the dead," Srabon said, his voice a cold whisper. "If the Goblin King was just a pawn, then the Shadow Master must be trying to resurrect someone far more powerful."
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The next morning, Srabon gathered Mira, Magnus, and Thorne in the Redstone war room. The map was spread across the table, and Srabon pointed to the runes.
"These locations align with areas where the Goblin King's forces were strongest," Srabon said. "If the Shadow Master is using dark magic to gather power, he'll need to perform the ritual at one of these spots."
Thorne frowned. "And if he succeeds?"
Srabon's fists tightened. "We'll be facing an army of undead warriors — soldiers who don't feel pain, don't tire, and follow only the Shadow Master's commands."
Magnus slammed his fist on the table. "Then we have to stop him before it's too late."
[Quest Update: Decipher the Dark Runes - Investigate the ritual sites and gather information.]
Srabon met Mira's gaze, determination blazing in his eyes. "Prepare the troops. We move at first light. We need to find the Shadow Master's ritual site — and destroy it."