Chapter 39: The Ritual's Unveiling
Dawn broke over Redstone as Srabon and his group prepared to move out. Armed with weapons and armor supplied by Thorne's blacksmiths, they set off toward the first suspected ritual site — a desolate valley known as the Hollow Grounds.
"This place gives me the creeps," Magnus muttered as they moved through the foggy terrain. "Feels like we're being watched."
Mira drew her dagger, eyes scanning the shadows. "Stay alert. If the Shadow Master is truly planning to raise the dead, we can't afford any surprises."
[New Quest: Disrupt the Ritual. Reward: 12000 Gold, 9000 Elixir.]
The Hollow Grounds stretched before them, a barren wasteland dotted with cracked stones and withered trees. In the center stood a towering stone altar, covered in dark runes similar to the ones on the map.
Srabon approached the altar cautiously, his hand resting on his sword hilt. "This is it. The ritual site."
A sudden gust of wind howled through the valley, and dark clouds swirled above. The ground trembled, and a deep, menacing voice echoed through the air.
"You should not have come here," the voice boomed, sending chills down Srabon's spine.
From the shadows, robed figures emerged, their faces obscured by dark hoods. They chanted in an ancient tongue, their eyes glowing with an eerie purple light.
"Mira! Magnus! Take out the cultists!" Srabon shouted, drawing his sword.
Mira dashed forward, slashing through the nearest cultist while Magnus swung his massive axe, sending two more flying. Srabon lunged at the altar, determined to disrupt the ritual.
The lead cultist raised his hands, dark energy crackling around him. "You are too late! The Shadow Master's power will rise!"
[New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Break - Disrupt dark magic rituals.]
Srabon felt a surge of power course through him. Without hesitation, he thrust his sword into the altar, activating the Shadow Break skill. A blinding light erupted, and the altar shattered into pieces.
The cultists screamed, their bodies disintegrating as the dark magic backfired. The ground shook violently, and the dark clouds dispersed.
[Quest Complete: Disrupt the Ritual. Reward: 12000 Gold, 9000 Elixir.]
Srabon fell to his knees, panting heavily. Mira rushed to his side. "Are you alright?"
Srabon nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "We stopped the ritual. But this was just one site. The Shadow Master is still out there."
Magnus clenched his fists. "Then we keep hunting. We can't stop until he's defeated."
Srabon rose to his feet, eyes blazing with resolve. "And we won't. Not until the Shadow Master is brought to justice."