The bandit, still shaken from his unexpected flight through the window, looked up at Vallin with wide, fearful eyes. “Alright, alright! I’ll tell you what I know!” he stammered, his voice trembling. “Just don’t hurt me anymore!”

Vallin leaned in closer, his expression stern but composed. “We want information about the cult. Where are they meeting, and when?”

The bandit swallowed hard, glancing nervously at Kallin, who was looming behind Vallin with an intimidating grin. “They meet in an old abandoned church on the outskirts of Waterdeep. It’s hidden away in the woods, far from prying eyes. They’ve been using it for their rituals.”

“And the time?” Amarie pressed, her sword still at the ready.

“Tomorrow night,” the bandit replied quickly. “They gather at midnight, when the moon is at its highest. That’s when they do their dark ceremonies.”

Vallin felt a rush of urgency. “What else do you know? Who leads these gatherings?”

The bandit hesitated, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. “I-I’ve heard whispers of a figure they call the Shadow Priest. He’s powerful, commands respect. But there’s also a woman—an enforcer of sorts. They say she’s ruthless.”

“Do you know her name?” Kristoff asked, stepping closer, his voice steady and probing.

The bandit shook his head, panic creeping back into his voice. “No, I don’t know her name! I swear! But she’s always there, overseeing everything. If you want to stop them, you’ll need to be careful. They’re not just a bunch of fools; they’re dangerous!”

Kallin crossed his arms, a satisfied grin on his face. “You’ve been quite helpful. But you know, we can’t just let you go after this. You might warn them.”

Vallin nodded, feeling the weight of the decision. “We can’t risk it. But we also don’t want to kill you. You could still be useful.”

“Please, I’ll do anything! Just don’t kill me!” the bandit pleaded, desperation seeping into his voice.

Amarie exchanged glances with Vallin and Kristoff, a silent understanding passing between them. “Let’s tie him up and take him with us. He can guide us to the church tomorrow night,” she suggested.

“Agreed,” Vallin replied. “We’ll keep him under watch. If he tries anything, well, we know how to handle him.”

With Kallin’s help, they quickly bound the bandit’s hands and secured him to a nearby tree, ensuring he wouldn’t escape. The bandit whimpered but didn’t protest further, clearly understanding the gravity of his situation. As they prepared to leave, Vallin felt a surge of determination. They had valuable information now, and with Kallin, Kristoff, and Amarie by his side, they were ready to confront the cult and the Shadow Priest. Tomorrow night would be a pivotal moment in their quest.

****

As the group began to settle in, preparing for the night ahead, an unnatural chill swept through the clearing. Vallin’s instincts flared, and he turned just in time to see a dark figure emerge from the shadows, cloaked in a flowing robe that seemed to absorb the very light around her. The air crackled with malevolence, and Vallin’s heart sank as he recognized the enforcer of the Shadow Priest.

“Fools,” she hissed, her voice cold and smooth like ice. “You’ve meddled in affairs far beyond your understanding.”

Before Vallin could react, the enforcer flicked her wrist, and shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, snaking toward the bandit tied to the tree. With a swift motion, they wrapped around him, pulling him into the darkness. His terrified scream echoed through the night before it was abruptly silenced as the shadows consumed him.

“No!” Vallin shouted, rage boiling within him. He felt the weight of loss and urgency surge through him as he stepped forward. “You’ll pay for that!”

With a flick of her wrist, the enforcer summoned dark energy, and Vallin barely managed to dodge as a bolt of shadow magic shot past him, striking a nearby tree and splintering it into shards. Amarie and Kallin sprang into action, facing the enforcer together, while Kristoff moved to fend off the shadow demons that began to materialize around them—dark, twisted forms that clawed at the air with malevolent intent.

“Stay back!” Amarie yelled, her voice fierce as she charged at the enforcer, sword raised high. She swung, but the enforcer sidestepped effortlessly, her movements fluid and graceful, almost ethereal.

“Is that all you’ve got?” the enforcer taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. “You think you can challenge me?”

Vallin felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he joined Amarie, launching an attack of his own. He struck with precision, aiming for the enforcer’s defenses, but she was quicker, deflecting his blows with a flick of her wrist, sending shockwaves of dark energy rippling through the air.

“Focus on the demons!” Kristoff shouted, darting between the shadows and striking at the creatures trying to overwhelm Kallin. The orc swung his axe wildly, laughter mingling with battle cries as he fought off the encroaching darkness.

Vallin felt the pressure mounting. He needed to find a way to break through the enforcer’s defenses. “Amarie, we need to work together!” he called out, determination igniting in his amber eyes.

“Agreed!” Amarie replied, her voice steady despite the chaos. “On my mark!”

As Vallin feigned an attack to draw the enforcer’s attention, Amarie positioned herself to strike from the side. With a swift motion, Vallin thrust forward, and as the enforcer turned to counter, Amarie lunged, her sword aimed for a critical blow.

But the enforcer was ready. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a barrier of shadows that deflected Amarie’s strike, sending her sprawling back. “You’re all so predictable,” she sneered, her eyes glinting with dark amusement.

Vallin felt a surge of frustration. They couldn’t let her get away. “We won’t stop until you’re defeated!” he declared, rallying his strength.

The battle raged on, shadows clashing against steel as Vallin and his companions fought with everything they had. The demons swarmed around them, but their focus remained on the enforcer, who seemed to revel in the chaos she had unleashed.

Kallin’s laughter echoed through the clearing as he charged headlong into the fray, his massive axe swinging with deadly intent. The shadow demons, twisted and grotesque, lunged at him with claws extended, but Kallin met them with unparalleled ferocity. He swung his axe wide, cleaving through the first demon with a brutal strike that sent it dissipating into a cloud of darkness.

“Come on, you wretched things!” Kallin roared, his voice booming as he took on another demon. He swung again, the axe slicing through the air and connecting with another demon, scattering its shadowy form into nothingness. “Is this the best you can do?”

The remaining shadow demons hesitated, fear creeping into their dark forms as Kallin continued his rampage. With each swing, he dispatched them with brutal efficiency, the ground around him littered with remnants of their dark essence. The sight of the orc’s unyielding strength reinvigorated Vallin and Amarie, who were still locked in a fierce battle with the enforcer.

Vallin focused on the enforcer, his heart pounding as he held his ground against her relentless attacks. The dark energy she wielded crackled in the air, and he could feel the weight of her power pressing against him. He sidestepped her strikes, countering with calculated movements, each blow a testament to his training.

“You’re strong, monk,” the enforcer taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. “But strength alone won’t save you.”

Vallin gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. “I won’t let you harm anyone else!” he declared, channeling his energy into his movements. He struck with precision, aiming for weaknesses in her defenses, but she danced away, her agility almost supernatural.

As Kallin dispatched the last of the shadow demons, he turned his attention to the enforcer, his grin widening. “Looks like you’re outnumbered now!” he shouted, charging toward her with his axe raised high.

The enforcer’s eyes narrowed, but Vallin seized the moment. “Now, Amarie!” he called out, coordinating their efforts. With Kallin’s distraction, Vallin launched himself forward, striking at the enforcer with renewed vigor.

Amarie joined in, her sword flashing as she attacked from the opposite side. The enforcer was forced to split her attention, and Vallin took advantage, landing a solid blow that sent her staggering back.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Kallin shouted, his laughter echoing as he closed in on the enforcer. “You’re not so intimidating now!”

The enforcer’s expression shifted, anger flaring in her eyes. “You’ll regret this!” she hissed, her hands weaving dark energy as she prepared to retaliate. But Vallin and Amarie pressed their advantage, not giving her a moment to recover. Together, they launched a coordinated assault, Vallin’s strikes complementing Amarie’s graceful movements. With Kallin’s sheer presence and strength backing them up, they began to overwhelm the enforcer.

With a final, powerful strike, Vallin managed to land a blow that sent her reeling. “You’re finished!” he declared, determination blazing in his amber eyes. As the enforcer stumbled, Vallin felt a surge of victory. They had fought through the darkness, and together, they would emerge stronger.