73

Third Person’s Point of View

From the darkness emerged a figure, clothed in black robes and wielding a staff with a glowing blue jewel at its tip. It was the same figure who had previously attacked the group; their identity is still unknown.

"Who are you?" asked Hemera, stepping forward to confront the stranger.

"I am a servant of the Shadow Lord," replied the figure in a cold voice. "And I have come here to claim what is rightfully his."

"And what might that be?" asked Hesperus, unsheathing his sword.

"The Goddess," said the figure, pointing their staff at Asclepius.

The group gasped in shock. They had suspected as much, but to have it confirmed so brazenly was disconcerting.

"You cannot have her," said Hemera firmly. "She is under our protection."

"Your protection is meaningless," said the figure dismissively. "The Shadow Lord is more powerful than you can imagine. He will do whatever it takes to acquire the Goddess."

The group stood in silence for a moment, unsure of what to do. Th