The Dark Citadel

Gregory's consciousness returned slowly, like a ship emerging from a thick fog. The first sensation he became aware of was liquid trickling down his throat. It was cool and refreshing, quenching his desperate thirst, but there was something... off about it. The taste was unlike a...

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dunes, Gregory and Bryce reluctantly pulled themselves to their feet. The brief respite in the shade of the ruins had done little to truly rejuvenate them, but they knew they couldn't afford to linger.

Bryce grabbed Gregory's arm, pulling him sideways just as a massive pillar crashed down where he had been standing moments before. They leapt over piles of rubble, the exit seeming impossibly far away.

Cautiously, the two men stepped through the opening. They found themselves in a vast, cavernous space. Towering stone columns stretched up into darkness, and ancient, crumbling staircases spiraled upwards along the walls.

Gregory's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding with a vicious intensity. The world spun around him, nausea rising in his throat. With a herculean effort, he managed to roll onto his side just in time as his stomach heaved violently. He retched, emptying the meager contents of h...

Gregory and Bryce stumbled through the darkened forest, both physically and emotionally drained from the night's events. After about an hour of aimless wandering, they came upon the crumbling remains of what appeared to be an ancient stone structure.

Gregory's heart pounded in his chest as he tore through the forest, branches whipping at his face and arms. The sound of heavy footsteps behind him spurred him on, even as his lungs burned for air.

Bryce moved quickly through the brush, heading directly west, and he set a pace fast enough that Gregory was struggling to catch up. He was panting from the exertion and wanted to ask for a break to catch his breath.

As soon as they saw the smoke, Gregory felt the prince tense up next to him. Bryce was on edge, clearly affected, though his face was calm and devoid of all emotions. They stopped walking and stood in a clearing, watching the smoke filter into the clouds.