As the smoke began to clear, three figures slowly came into view. Maera, Karevan, and Ariel stood unharmed, a dome of thick green vines fading away around them as it crumbled into dust.
"Prince, are you alright?" Maera asked, lowering her sword as the last of her spell disappeared.
"I'm fine," Karevan said, his golden eyes narrowing. "But it seems we walked straight into a trap."
Ariel stepped forward, glancing around cautiously. "They were waiting for us, Your Highness."
From the broken ruins of the building, figures began to emerge—men and women cloaked in dark robes marked with skull insignias, their bodies tainted with flickering traces of corrupted spirit energy.
"Yep," Azhriel said, stepping forward with the others. "You definitely did."
The main cast joined them, weapons drawn and mana rising in the air.
"Are you three hurt?" Raymond asked quickly, his healing light already glowing faintly at his fingertips.
