Trust in Shadows

The Rat Ogre burst from the darkness, filling the tunnel with muscle and rage.

Steel met flesh. Claws tore through armor. Blood flooded the water.

The creature fell at your feet. You were still alive. Then the burning started.

Slow. Spreading. Wrong. Poison. Your legs gave out.

Stone hit your face. Breath shattered. The world narrowed. It had to be the rats poison.

It had to be. But as the pain tightened, memory surfaced. Candlelight.

Masks. Music in a distant hall. A woman standing close.

Her hand steady as she poured your wine. Her smile calm. Certain.