The eerie silence of the night was broken by the unsettling howl of the wind. Juliana stood in the throne room, the flickering torches casting long shadows on the stone walls. She could feel the weight of the coming storm pressing against her chest. Hak was beside her, his gaze locked on the map spread across the war table, each marker representing a critical point of defense.
"This is bigger than we anticipated," Hak said, his voice calm but edged with tension. "The demons aren't just sending raiding parties. This is a full-scale invasion."
Juliana nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "We need reinforcements," she replied. "The council's betrayal has left us vulnerable. We can't rely on anyone but ourselves."
Before Hak could respond, a sudden gust of wind extinguished the torch
