The damp air of the dungeon clung to my skin as Ardan and I stood before Dominic and Sylvia’s cells. The dungeon’s flickering torchlight casted shadows across their faces, but neither of them looked defeated.

Dominic leaned casually against the back wall of his cell with his smirk as sharp as ever. “You think you’ve won,” he said with his voice dripping with disdain. “But trust me, this isn’t the end.”

Ardan stepped forward, with his gaze hardening. “Your reign is over, Dominic. Whatever followers you think you have will fall in line or face the consequences.”

Dominic chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, Ardan,” he said mockingly. “You’ve always underestimated...