Chapter 3: The Betrayer
Dorian's presence was enough to stop them dead in their tracks. Elara's heart skipped a beat as the man stepped forward from the shadows, his gaunt figure shrouded in the darkness of the cursed town. His eyes, pale and cold, gleamed with an eerie light.
"Elara," Dorian said, his voice smooth and mocking. "I should have known you'd be the one to come looking for me."
The mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. Dorian had been part of their team, a trusted ally, or so she had thought. He had helped her uncover the journals, assisted in the rituals, and provided counsel during their preparation. But now, standing in front of her, something about him seemed… off. His once-human features were twisted, his movements slow and deliberate, as though he was no longer entirely himself.
"Elara," Dorian repeated, his tone sharp, almost taunting. "You've brought yourself to the heart of the curse. Do you know what that means?"
Elara took a cautious step back, her eyes narrowing. "What have you done, Dorian?"
He chuckled darkly, a sound that seemed to resonate with the very air around them. "What have I done? I've done what you couldn't. I've unlocked the power of the Abyss."
Lira gasped, taking a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for her spellbook. "You're the one who caused this?"
"The king was a fool," Dorian said, stepping closer. "He sought to control the Abyss, but the Abyss cannot be controlled. It is a force of nature, untamable, eternal. And I… I've made it my ally."
Elara's heart sank as the realization hit her. Dorian had been working with the cursed magic all along. His fascination with the dark arts had driven him to unlock the very powers that had destroyed Vioro. And now, the town was nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game.
"You betrayed us," Elara said, her voice shaking with anger. "You used us."
Dorian smiled, a cold, cruel smile. "Not used, Elara. You were simply useful. And now, you're about to be part of something much larger than yourself. Welcome to your destiny."
Before Elara could react, Dorian raised his hands, and the air around them shimmered. The ground began to tremble once more, and the Hollow Tree groaned, its dark roots shifting and twisting, as though alive.