The Gods and the Greed (3).

The moment they stepped into the Black Spire, the trap was sprung.

Chains of dark magic shot out, ensnaring them before they could react. The unnatural energy coiled around their limbs like living shadows, tightening with every struggle. Phoenix felt the cold, suffocating force constricting her arms, her breath catching in her throat.

Jonathan's voice echoed through the vast, empty chamber.

"I was wondering when you would finally arrive."

Phoenix twisted against the restraints, her eyes blazing as she met his gaze. "Jonathan."

The minister stepped forward, his figure far from the elite supernatural creature he had been before. Now, he was just a part of himself with tentacles.

His once-refined robes were tattered and stained with dark energy, and his presence was different and wrong. The corruption had settled into him completely.

He smiled.

"You should not have come."