Chapter 54: Trapped in the Mad King's Twisted Trials

Madison's heart pounded as she faced the hulking lieutenant, his twisted grin sending chills down her spine. The Moonstone Scepter hummed in her grip, its light pushing back the encroaching darkness. Beside her, Wald stood ready, his sword gleaming. Astrid hefted her axe, eyes darting between the shadowy creatures surrounding them.

"Well, well," the lieutenant growled, his voice like gravel scraping metal. "The little rebel and her friends, all wrapped up in a pretty bow. The Mad King will be pleased."

Madison gritted her teeth. "We're not going down without a fight."

The lieutenant's laughter boomed through the hall. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

Without warning, the shadow creatures lunged. Madison swung the scepter, blasting away the nearest attacker. Wald's sword flashed, cutting through two more. Astrid's axe cleaved a shadowy head from its shoulders.