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Chapter 42: Alaric's Masterstroke

Author: Miriam Samuel
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

I turned my head, my breath catching in my throat as I saw him—Alaric, emerging from the shadows, his eyes glowing with malice. He was flanked by his forces, their presence suffocating the air with their sheer power.

"Did you really think you could outsmart me?" Alaric sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You’ve walked right into my trap, just like I knew you would."

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Alaric had orchestrated this entire situation, had manipulated us into finding the artifact, tampering with it, and triggering the trap.

"You’re too late, Sera," Alaric continued, his gaze locking onto mine with a predatory gleam. "The artifact is mine now, and with it, I will crush Silverwood once and for all."

Desperation clawed at me as I struggled against the debris pinning me down, but it was no use. The orb above us pulsed with dark energy, ready to explode at any moment, and I was helpless to stop it.

"No," I whispered, fear choking me as I struggled to breathe
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