Jamie, Thyra, and Holz stood with their backs pressed against the gates of the Arcane Tower. Before them loomed the Nightwalker, an embodiment of darkness and dread. They faced a harrowing choice. They could flee into the streets of the Commercial Quarter. However, it would destroy the Quarter once more. The other option would be to stand their ground against an enemy that could kill them with its presence.

'If we run to the Commercial Quarter, we'll lead the creature right into the city's hearth,' Jamie's mind raced. 'It will destroy anything that still remains standing. It would be a killing blow to the city and the Golden Fiddle.'

'But to face it here... how can we fight without being destroyed?' Jamie questioned himself.

The Nightwalker opened a maw, revealing an abyss of swirling shadows. Dark energy began to coalesce within, expanding and condensing the shadows.

"Get ready!" Jamie shouted with urgency.

The creature unleashed a monstrous beam of concentrated shadows aimed at Jamie. Despite the imminent threat, the Nightwalker moved with a languid slowness. The trio had seconds to act, but those seconds were enough. They dove aside, throwing themselves to the ground as the energy scorched where they had stood.

The shadowy blast struck the gates of the Arcane Tower with a deafening impact. Gates that moments ago had withstood Thyra's full-force attacks without so much as a scratch. But now, under the Nightwalker's assault, they groaned and warped.

When the onslaught ceased, the gates hung in tatters. Twisted metal and shattered glyphs oozed with residual darkness. Yet, almost immediately, a soft hum reverberated through the air. Arcane energies surged as the Tower's defenses activated. The runes along the gate glowed brighter. Before their eyes, the metal began to mend itself, pieces snapping back into place. In seconds, the gates stood whole once more as if untouched.

"Releasing defense constructs," an ethereal voice intoned, emanating from within the Tower.

Jamie's gaze shot upward in time to see three massive figures falling from the top of the Tower. They plummeted like meteors, landing with an earth-shaking force that sent tremors through the ground.

Emerging from the settling clouds stood three colossal golems. Each construct was made from gleaming metal and inscribed with luminous runes. Though they were only half the height of the Nightwalker, their presence was imposing. The golems marched together toward the creature, their joints whirring as they advanced.

Without hesitation, the constructs engaged the Nightwalker. Their massive fists swung in coordinated strikes. The first golem delivered a blow to the creature's side, while the second aimed a towering uppercut. The third lunged forward, attempting to grapple the Nightwalker into submission.

Yet, each impact passed through the Nightwalker's form as though it were made of smoke. The monster's shadowy body rippled with each blow but showed no signs of injury.

"They can't hurt it, not like this," Holz exclaimed.

"Wait," Thyra said. "They're not an Arcane Tower for nothing."

Indeed, the golems adjusted their tactics. With their hands now glowing blue, one seized the Nightwalker's left arm. Another grasped the right arm while the third wrapped itself around the creature's torso. The Nightwalker struggled, but the constructs held firm, not allowing it to turn into shadows.

Jamie, Thyra, and Holz lay sprawled on the ground, hearts pounding as they gasped for breath. After so much running, fighting, and dodging, exhaustion finally took over their bodies. Jamie's legs felt like lead, trembling uncontrollably as he struggled to rise. Every muscle screamed in protest.

"Leave the island!" A commanding voice rang out from above.

Jamie forced himself to look up. Cloaked and imposing, five figures hovered in the air. Faint glimmers of arcane energy crackled around them.

Panic rippled through the bystanders on both bridges, who began to flee in all directions. Jamie, Thyra, and Holz found themselves too drained to move far. With the last of their strength, they pressed themselves against the wall of the Arcane Tower.

From the outstretched arms of four of the figures, golden circles materialized. From these circles burst forth radiant lines of energy shooting toward the Nightwalker like chains. The brilliant threads wrapped around the creature's arms and legs.

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The Nightwalker roared in anger. It strained against the bindings, but the chains held firm. The four mages maintained their grip as they poured their strength into restraining the beast.

The fifth figure, positioned at the center, remained motionless. He did not cast any lines like the others but instead hovered serenely. Even without casting a spell, Jamie could feel the immense mana emanating from him. It felt like a tidal wave of energy so overwhelming that it left Jamie light-headed.

This central mage was adorned in robes of deep azure trimmed with white. His golden hair flowed freely in the wind. His eyes were focused intently on the Nightwalker, meeting the void where eyes should have been.

[Judgment], he declared, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.

Raising his right hand, he extended it before himself. From the heavens above, a thin beam of pure light pierced through the clouds. It passed through his hand like it wasn't there, a mere vessel guiding the light.

Jamie watched in awe as the beam continued its descent from beneath the mage's hand, moving slowly as if time itself had slowed to witness this moment. The light was impossibly bright, yet did not hurt his eyes.

The beam inched closer to the Nightwalker, whose struggles intensified. But the more it fought, the tighter the bindings became.

Finally, the beam of light touched the Nightwalker's head. For a moment, all was still. Then, in an instant, the descending light transformed into a cataclysmic explosion. A blinding flash enveloped the creature, and a shockwave erupted outward with devastating force.

"Hold on!" Jamie shouted, bracing himself against the Tower's wall.

The sheer power of the blast sent tremors through the ground, nearly knocking them off their feet. Winds whipped violently, tearing at their clothes and stinging their faces with debris. The roar of the explosion was deafening. Jamie's ears rang painfully, and for a moment, all other sounds were drowned out by the explosion.

The waters surrounding the island surged, pushed back by the force of the detonation. The bridges connecting the island to the mainland groaned under the strain. Their supports trembled as the shockwave passed through them.

As the light faded and the dust began to settle, Jamie dared to open his eyes. Where the Nightwalker had been moments before, there was now nothing but a swirling ash cloud.

Despite the apparent victory, none of the five mages showed signs of relief.

The mage who had unleashed the devastating explosion was the first to land. His knees hit the ground heavily, and he leaned forward, bracing himself with trembling hands. Beads of sweat traced paths down his weary face, and his breathing was ragged.

"It will regenerate," he gasped, his voice strained. "I need some of you to seal the rift. It's still open."

"Yes, sir! We'll locate it at once," the surrounding mages responded in unison.

Nearby, Jamie mustered his remaining strength and raised a hand. "Hey! Hello!" he called out, his voice hoarse yet insistent. He stumbled forward a few steps, trying to catch the attention of the mages. As he approached, a group of them swiftly encircled him and his companions, their expressions wary and inquisitive.

"Hi," Jamie said more calmly, sinking back down to a seated position. His legs were still trembling, and the ground was a welcome support. "W-we know where it is. The rift, that is."

The mages exchanged glances, their eyes flicking over the trio as if assessing their credibility. Before any could speak, their leader stepped forward.

"Mr. Jamie, correct?" the man said, his piercing eyes meeting the bard's. "I've heard of you. I didn't imagine you would bring me a Nightwalker as a gift."

Jamie managed a faint smile, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well, you know how it is," he replied. "To get the attention of important people, sometimes you need to offer something... significant."

The leader raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk touching his lips. "Sonnen," he introduced himself. "I'm the Master of the Arcane Tower." He glanced toward the dissipating ash that had once been the Nightwalker. "Tell me, how did you come across this creature?"

Jamie exhaled, organizing his thoughts. "We were investigating a disappearance," he began. "It led us to the underground chambers of one of the noble houses. Lucius's estate. There, we stumbled upon dark rituals and... well, that thing."

Sonnen's expression grew serious. "And where can we find this portal? The source of the rift."

"In the estate's basement," Jamie explained. "If you go to the property, you'll find a massive hole in the garden. Follow the path down from there."

"Though I should warn you," Holz interjected, his face pale at the memory. "You'll need a strong stomach. What we saw down there was... horrifying."

Sonnen nodded thoughtfully. Turning to his cadre of mages, he issued swift commands. "Take two Level Seven and several Level Four, at least. Secure the area around the estate and begin sealing the rift. I will join you shortly."

"Yes, Master Sonnen," the mages responded. They bowed respectfully before departing.

As the group conversed, they failed to notice the approaching contingents. Two groups converged from opposite ends of the bridges that connected the island to the rest of Hafenstadt.

From one side, a unit of Hafenstadt's city guards advanced with disciplined strides. Dressed in plate armor, their boots struck the ground in unison. At their head was Maria von Hafenstadt.

From the opposite end of the bridge, a different procession approached. Twenty figures marched in formation. Five of them bore tall banners that fluttered in the breeze, the sigils of the Order of Velkaris displayed upon them. Leading this group was Marco, the Inquisitor.

"Halt!" Marco's voice rang out. He stopped at the midpoint of the bridge, his followers fanning out behind him. "By order of the Archbishop of the Order of Velkaris, I hereby command the arrest of Sonnen, Master of the Arcane Tower of Hafenstadt. On charges of conspiracy, dark rituals, and the summoning of demons!"

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