Elandra, a keen-eyed elven scout with emerald robes, stands atop a mossy boulder, her gaze fixed on the distant town. Her pointed ears twitch at every sound, while beside her, Archmage Thalos, a wizened wizard draped in star-blue robes, traces shimmering runes in the air. From above, Valgros, a majestic silver dragon with iridescent scales, lands with a thunderous yet graceful thud, his eyes burning with resolve.
"The darkness spreads faster than expected," Archmage Thalos murmurs, watching flecks of shadow seep from the forest's heart.
"If we do not act tonight, Eldermere will fall before dawn," Elandra responds, tightening her grip on her bow.
Valgros coils protectively around his companions, his tail flicking with anticipation. Archmage Thalos points to a pulsing red mark near the town's border.
"The source of the curse is here—a rift torn open by dark sorcery. We must seal it from both sides," he explains, voice grave.
"I will fly above and distract the shadow beasts. Elandra, you and Thalos seal the rift," Valgros rumbles, his breath swirling with frost.
Elandra advances first, her movements silent and swift. Archmage Thalos follows, his staff aglow with protective spells, while Valgros soars overhead, casting massive shadows on the ground. The air thickens with the scent of burning wood and something acrid, unnatural.
Suddenly, ghastly shadow-beasts lurch from the gloom, their eyes glowing red. Elandra looses a volley of arrows, each tip gleaming with elven magic.
Archmage Thalos chants an incantation, his staff erupting in a spiral of golden light that pushes back the shadows.
"Hold fast, friends! I will not let them break through!" Valgros bellows, unleashing a torrent of icy breath that freezes a wave of shadow-beasts mid-charge.
"I see the rift—just ahead! Cover me!" Elandra shouts, sprinting toward a swirling black void pulsing with malevolent energy.
Archmage Thalos raises both hands, drawing on every ounce of his power. Elandra plants her enchanted arrows in a circle, weaving an elven barrier.
"It will drain me, but the town must be saved," he says softly, eyes glowing with resolve.
"We do this together. For Eldermere," Elandra replies, her voice unwavering as she prepares the final arrow.
Valgros circles above, trumpeting in victory. Exhausted but triumphant, Elandra and Archmage Thalos stagger back from the rift’s remnants, their faces illuminated by the rising sun.
"The town is safe. You have both shown true courage," Valgros proclaims, landing beside his friends.
The villagers emerge from hiding, filling the air with grateful cheers as hope is restored to Eldermere.
