I tightened my grip on the scroll, eyes scanning the dimly lit space.

“Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart.

A figure emerged from the shadows, and I recognized her immediately.

Mei Lin stepped forward, her face pale and eyes wide.

“I followed you,” she whispered, clutching a small dagger in her hand.

“We can’t trust anyone.”

Relief mingled with tension as I nodded.

“You’re right,” I said, glancing around the room once more to ensure we were alone.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from outside, shattering the fragile calm.

We exchanged a glance and rushed to the door without another word.

As we flung it open, Zane stood there, bloodied and panting.

“They’re coming,” he gasped, his voice urgent and strained.

“We need to move now.”

The urgency in his voice left no room for doubt.

“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing Mei Lin’s arm and pulling her along as we followed Zane.

We sprinted through the narrow alleyways of Avalon, the crimson sky

The sound of our footsteps echoed off the stone walls, mingling with distant shouts and the clanging of metal.

“What happened?” I asked Zane as we ran.

“They found out about the scroll,” he replied between labored breaths. “They’re after us.”

My mind raced as I tried to process his words.

Who were “they”?

And how had they discovered our plan so quickly?

We rounded a corner and nearly collided with a group of armed guards blocking our path.

Zane skidded to a halt, raising his hands in surrender.

“Wait!” he shouted. “We’re not your enemies!”

The guards hesitated for a moment before lowering their weapons slightly.

“State your business,” one of them demanded.

“We have information that could save Avalon,” I said, stepping forward and holding up the scroll. “But we need your help.”

The guard eyed me suspiciously but seemed to consider my words.

“Follow us,” he finally said, motioning for us to move.

We were led through a maze of corridors until we reached a heavily fortified chamber deep within Avalon’s heart.

Inside, a council of elders sat around a large table, their faces grave and lined with worry.

“What’s this about?” one of them asked as we entered.

The sound of our footsteps echoed off the stone walls, mingling with distant shouts and the clanging of metal.

“What happened?” I asked Zane as we ran.

“They found out about the scroll,” he replied between labored breaths. “They’re after us.”

My mind raced as I tried to process his words.

Who were “they”?

And how had they discovered our plan so quickly?

We rounded a corner and nearly collided with a group of armed guards blocking our path.

Zane skidded to a halt, raising his hands in surrender.

“Wait!” he shouted. “We’re not your enemies!”

The guards hesitated for a moment before lowering their weapons slightly.

“State your business,” one of them demanded.

“We have information that could save Avalon,” I said, stepping forward and holding up the scroll. “But we need your help.”

The guard eyed me suspiciously but seemed to consider my words.

“Follow us,” he finally said, motioning for us to move.

We were led through a maze of corridors until we reached a heavily fortified chamber deep within Avalon’s heart.

Inside, a council of elders sat around a large table, their faces grave and lined with worry.

“What’s this about?” one of them asked as we entered.

The elders exchanged uneasy glances as they examined the parchment.

“And you believe this game can save us?” another elder asked skeptically.

“It’s dangerous,” I admitted. “But it’s our best chance.”

Before they could respond, an explosion rocked the chamber, sending debris flying and knocking us off our feet.

The room filled with smoke and chaos as alarms blared.

“We’re under attack!” someone shouted.

I scrambled to my feet, helping Mei Lin up as Zane drew his weapon.

“We need to get out of here,” he said urgently.

The elders were already moving toward a hidden exit behind the chamber’s wall.

“Follow us!” one of them called out.We didn’t hesitate, rushing after them as more explosions shook the ground beneath us.The hidden passageway was narrow and dark, but it offered some semblance of safety from the chaos above.As we emerged into an underground tunnel system, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.The passage opened into a cavern where a mystical creature awaited, its eyes glowing with wisdom.