Kapitel 86: Chapter 86: Into the Lion's Den
The journey to Blackrock was daunting. The fortress was said to be a symbol of Galdrosian power, a bastion nestled deep within rugged mountains, surrounded by thick forests and treacherous cliffs. Few dared to venture near it, and fewer still returned to tell the tale. As Padrino, Sera, Niko, and Grendar pushed forward through the dense, foreboding woods, tension hung in the air.
The closer they got, the more palpable the danger became. Every snapping twig, every gust of wind through the leaves, felt like a threat. Galdrosian patrols were known to be vigilant, and Padrino knew they were deep in enemy territory. One wrong move could alert the entire fortress to their presence.
"I don't like this," Sera muttered under her breath, her eyes darting around. "This place feels like it's crawling with eyes."
"It is," Niko said grimly. "We're being watched. We have to assume that."
Grendar, who had been leading the group with his unerring sense of direction, slowed his pace and motioned for the others to gather close. "We're near the outer perimeter," he whispered. "There's a lookout post just ahead. We need to get past it without raising the alarm."
Padrino nodded. "How many guards?"
"Usually four, but they rotate shifts. We might catch them at a weak point if we're lucky."
Luck wasn't something Padrino liked to rely on, but in this case, they had little choice. If they wanted to infiltrate Blackrock without alerting the entire garrison, stealth was their only option.
"I'll take the lead," Padrino said, his voice low but firm. "Niko, you'll cover the left flank. Sera, the right. Grendar, stay back and provide support if things go south."
They moved into position, creeping silently through the underbrush. As they approached the lookout post, they could see a small wooden structure perched on a cliff's edge, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding valley. Two Galdrosian soldiers stood guard, chatting quietly, their weapons resting casually by their sides. They seemed relaxed, unaware of the danger lurking just beyond the tree line.
Padrino gestured to Niko, who silently drew his bow and notched an arrow. With a sharp, focused breath, he let it fly, and the arrow struck one of the guards square in the chest, dropping him instantly. Before the other could react, Padrino was on him, his blade cutting through the air with lethal precision. The guard barely had time to gasp before he too crumpled to the ground.
"Clear," Padrino whispered, signaling for the others to move up.
They swiftly disposed of the bodies, hiding them beneath thick bushes, then made their way past the lookout post. The path to Blackrock was now wide open, but Padrino knew the real challenge was yet to come.
As they advanced, the fortress itself came into view. Blackrock was an imposing structure, carved directly into the mountainside. Its dark stone walls blended almost seamlessly with the surrounding cliffs, giving it an air of invincibility. Towers jutted out at irregular intervals, and the main gate was flanked by two massive statues of Galdrosian warriors, their faces stern and unforgiving.
"There it is," Sera whispered, awe and fear in her voice.
Padrino's eyes narrowed. "We need to find a way in."
Grendar pointed toward a narrow path that wound along the side of the fortress, barely visible from their vantage point. "That's our best bet. It leads to a secondary entrance—used for supply runs and rarely guarded. If we can get in that way, we might avoid most of their patrols."
"Good," Padrino said, his mind already working through the plan. "Once inside, we split up. Niko, you'll head to the east tower and disable their lookout. Sera, you'll take the armory—make sure they don't have easy access to weapons if we're discovered. Grendar, I need you to create a distraction near the main gate, something that'll draw their attention away from the inner keep."
"And what about you?" Sera asked.
"I'm going to find Darius," Padrino replied. "He's our key to understanding what Galdros is planning. I won't leave without him."
The group shared a tense glance. The stakes were higher than ever, and failure was not an option. But they all knew the risks. Blackrock was a fortress of nightmares, and their chances of walking out unscathed were slim.
"Let's move," Padrino said, and they descended the narrow path toward the fortress.
They moved quickly and silently, hugging the rocky walls as they approached the secondary entrance. As Grendar had predicted, there were no guards posted—likely because the Galdrosians believed the fortress was impenetrable from this side. Padrino forced the small door open with minimal effort, and they slipped inside, finding themselves in a dimly lit tunnel that smelled of damp stone and mildew.
The air was heavy with tension as they moved deeper into the fortress. The tunnel led them to a branching corridor, where they finally split up, each heading toward their respective targets. Padrino moved with purpose, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no time to waste.
As he navigated the winding halls of Blackrock, he encountered few guards, and those he did find were easily dispatched. The fortress seemed eerily quiet, almost as if it was waiting for something—or someone. Padrino couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap, but there was no turning back now.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he reached the inner keep. He could hear faint voices coming from a nearby chamber, and as he pressed his ear to the door, he recognized one of them—Darius.
Padrino's grip tightened on his sword as he pushed the door open just enough to peer inside. There, bound and bruised, was Darius, slumped in a chair. Standing over him was the Black Widow, her sharp features illuminated by the flickering torchlight.
"You will tell me everything," she hissed, her voice cold and menacing. "Or your suffering will be legendary."
Darius, defiant even in his weakened state, spat blood at her feet. "You'll get nothing from me."
The Black Widow's lips curled into a cruel smile. "We'll see about that."
Padrino's blood boiled as he watched the scene unfold. He couldn't wait any longer. With a determined breath, he pushed the door open and stepped into the chamber.
The Black Widow turned, her eyes narrowing as she recognized him. "Ah, Padrino Penduko," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "I've been expecting you."
Without a word, Padrino raised his sword, ready to face the storm head-on.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein