ient, its towers piercing the gray sky like broken spears. Time had scarred its walls, and thick vines wrapped around stone

d the air tasted of old magic and decay. Moonlight filtered through cracked windows, illuminating shelves of ancient books

ound by an ancient spell-one born of sacrifice and fear. A prophecy whispered of a t

helves. Somewhere, a door slammed. Shadows stretched and crawled

hulking shape blocking the exit. Larger than the forest creature, its form

flee again. N