Erend and ar emerged from the portal into the familiar back yard of the Elf Pce. The swirling vortex of energy behind them dissolved into nothingness as they stepped back into the real world.


    Though only a few hours had passed here, they had spent days in the harshndscape of the Dungeon World. Time moved differently there, but now they were back and stronger than before.


    The majestic structure of the Elf Pce stood before them, its protective dome shimmering under the sun''s light. They wasted no time and immediately making their way toward the throne chamber where the war council awaited.


    Their pace was quick, their minds still racing with the thoughts of the dangers thaty ahead. However, at least for now they are not worried because they don''t see any changes in this ce since they gone. That means the Great Cmity had notunch another attack yet.


    As they entered the grand chamber, the tension in the air was palpable. Almost all of the council members were present minus Saeldir and Aerchon, who were still maintaining the strongest defensive magic around the pce. Aurdis had recently joined them, lending her power to the protective efforts, so she is not here as well.


    A few of the Elven advisors turned toward Erend and ar, their gazes hard and scrutinizing. It was clear they had questions, they are no doubt curious as to why the two Dragonborns had disappeared without a word. But King Gulben had already issued amand that no one was to question their actions. The advisors held their tongues, though their frowns spoke volumes.


    Erend stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room before settling on King Gulben. "Did anything happen while we were gone?" he asked, his voice steady butced with a hint of concern.


    King Gulben who was seated on his throne shook his head slowly. "Fortunately, nothing of significance," he replied. "The defenses are holding, and we haven''t had any new reports of enemy movement."


    Erend exhaled, relief washing over him. He had feared the worst upon their return, but it seemed their absence hadn''t caused any immediate disasters.


    ar who was standing beside him crossed his arms, his gaze still sharp. "Good. But we shouldn''t get toofortable," he said, ncing toward the windows that overlooked the protective dome. "I have a feeling this calm won''tst much longer."


    King Gulben nodded solemnly. "You''re right. The enemy will strike eventually. We already prepare as much as we can."


    "We''re stronger now," Erend said, his voice low but filled with determination. "Whateveres next, we''ll be ready for it."


    The chamber fell into a tense silence as the weight of his words settled on everyone present. Confuse as how can they be much stronger in short amount of time. However, when they extended their Magic senses, they can tell that Erend and ar was indeed be much stronger than few hours before.


    They didn''t think much of it for now. Erend and ar''s newfound strength giving hope within the council and its all that matters right now.


    "We don''t know how much longer this peace willst and it makes us anxious," king Gulben said.


    The war council members nodded in agreement, the unease in the room was palpable. They all understood that the real battle was drawing near but they didn''t know when it arrived.


    Erend and ar exchanged a nce. The calm before the storm had given them precious time, but the storm wasing and they hope that they would be ready.


    BOOM!


    An explosion erupted from outside shaking the walls of the throne chamber. The deafening sound boomed through the pce and sending a wave of tension across everyone present. Heads snapped toward the source of the st and in that instant they all knew that the next phase of this grand battle had begun.


    King Gulben was the first to react. He rose from his throne, his eyes narrowing as he barked orders.


    "Everyone, to your posts!" His voice carried a weight of urgency as the council members scrambled to their designated positions.


    Erend and ar followed King Gulben as he strode toward therge, arched window overlooking the pce grounds. The king''s expression was grim and as they peered through the ss the cause of the explosion became horrifyingly clear.


    Two figures hovered high above the pce, just beyond the shimmering protective dome. They were shrouded in dark red armor, blood-red tes that pulsed with dark energy.


    Their long hair whipped in the wind as they floated effortlessly in the sky, their presence exuding malice and danger. Even from this distance their ominous aura was unmistakable.


    "Here theye," Erend muttered, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make out more details of the two figures. But their forms remained elusive, masked by the glowing energy that surrounded them.


    Before anyone could answer, the air around the two beings shimmered with a dark whiping energy. Hundreds of red jagged spikes materialized out of thin air, crackling with Magic power. The spikes floated menacingly beside the two intruders, their deadly tips aimed directly at the protective dome.


    "They''re about to attack!" Erend said, his voice sharp with rm.


    There was no time to hesitate. Erend and ar acted in unison, their instincts kicking in. Without a second thought they leaped from the window, shattering the ss as they soared into the open air.


    In a sh, their Dragon Wings erupted from their backs, the powerful appendages propelling them skyward toward the looming threat.


    King Gulben watched them go, his jaw clenched, tension building in his body as he looked out at the unfolding scene. He could sense the immense power radiating from the two attackers, it sent a chill down his spine.


    The two figures was thest two harbinger of Doom that Adrius had said and their first move was meant to destroy the pce''sst line of defense.


    High in the air, Erend and ar closed in on the armored figures, their wings beating against the turbulent wind. But the spikes were already moving, streaking through the sky like bolts of crimson lightning, each one aimed at a critical point in the magical dome. If they struck the protective barrier could shatter.


    "We have to stop them!" ar shouted over the roar of the wind, his eyes zing with determination.


    Erend''s heart pounded as they ascended higher. These enemies were thest two of the harbinger. With the strength they had gained, they had to fight and win.


    As the red spikes descended toward the dome, Erend and ar braced themselves for theing sh.


    ---


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