Chapter 340 The Shadow Within

• The cursed walls of Vyrdahl loomed like a dark stain against the horizon, pulsing faintly with a sinister energy. As the group approached, the unnatural chill grew more oppressive, seeping into their bones and sapping their resolve. Even the soldiers following Prince Alaric faltered, their expressions pale and uncertain.
• Ariella clutched the Heartstone tightly, its warmth barely cutting through the icy dread. “This is no ordinary curse,” she murmured. “It’s alive, feeding on the fear of those who approach.”
• Eryk, the enigmatic mountain guardian, stood firm at her side. “It’s a binding spell,” he explained. “A fragment of a greater dark magic. If you let it into your heart, it will consume you.”