章 24: Ambush in the Courtyard

Madison nodded. But as they made their way back to the castle, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread. She had looked into the eyes of Karnath-Gor, even if only for a moment. And in those burning orbs, she had seen a hunger that could consume worlds. They had won today. But the real battle, she knew, was just beginning.

They trudged through the secret passages, their bodies aching from the fight. The stone walls seemed to press in on them as if the weight of their newfound knowledge was crushing down. Madison's mind raced with images of those burning eyes, that clawed hand reaching through the mirror. She shivered.

"You okay?" Wald asked, his voice rough with exhaustion.

"No," Madison admitted. "I saw him, Wald. The Mad King. He was... he was..."

"I know," Wald said, putting a hand on her shoulder. His grip was firm, grounding. "But we stopped him. We'll keep stopping him."