~Lucian~

The coldness of the halls of the dungeon seemed to seep into my bones as I made my way down the dusty stone staircase, each step ringing off the old stone like a tallying countdown to some unavoidable showdown. Three days, three torturous days, since I had last laid eyes on Alora, in which I had fought tooth and nail with the council, endured their threats, and seen my will gradually break under the onslaught of their incessant pestering.

The guard who was seated at the door to the ...