Why had she let me live?

Thalindra's words echoed in my mind, ringing like a death sentence. I could feel the pulse of her magic surrounding me, pressing against my skin like a cage. Every inch of me felt cold, trapped in her merciless grasp.

The sound of the other heroes' retreating footsteps faded into the distance. They didn't even look back. I was alone.

My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, gasping for air. I couldn't escape, couldn't fight back.

The weight of the betrayal crushed me, making it hard to think, hard to breathe. Why had they done this? Why had they left me to die?

Thalindra stood above me, her dark silhouette looming like a shadow, a predator stalking its prey.

Her amber eyes gleamed with twisted delight as she watched me, savoring every moment of my despair.

I could feel her magic swirling in the air, dark and heavy, wrapping around me like a noose. It tightened, choking off any chance of escape.