...to easy

Nokai bursts into the chamber, his usual boisterous energy replaced with urgency.

"Everyone's gathered for the festival. It's time. Yokijo and I found a way in - through the royal gardens."

His eyes scan the group, noting their preparations.

Zhodan stands, his face set with determination.

"Then let's move. Jay, you're with me. We'll take the eastern route. Yokijo, Nokai - keep to the shadows and alert us if anything changes."

The group readies themselves for the most critical mission of their lives, the fate of Emerarudo hanging in the balance.

The party moves through the secret passageways, each step bringing them closer to Xuhuan's palace. The darkness seems to grow thicker with every passing moment.

Suddenly, Jay stops, his magical senses alerting him to something.

"There's... something else. Something darker than Xuhuan's magic is stirring in the palace."

His eyes narrow as he concentrates on the mysterious presence.

Zhodan immediately notices his brother's distress and signals the group to halt.

"What do you sense? Can you describe it?"

The tension in the air grows heavier as they wait for Jay's response, aware that whatever dark presence he detects could change everything.

Jay's face becomes paler as he tries to focus.

"It feels... malevolent. Like the very darkness of Emerarudo has taken form. I can't quite pinpoint its location, but it's powerful."

His hands tremble slightly as he struggles to maintain his concentration.

Nokai and Yokijo exchange worried glances as they hear Jay's description.

"That doesn't sound good. Could Xuhuan have summoned something else?"

Yokijo whispers, her ears twitching nervously as she scans the shadows around them.

Jay suddenly stumbles forward, his body shaking as the dark presence abruptly dissipates.

What had just happned? "It...It just vanished...In an instant almost."

His face shows confusion mixed with relief, while the others move closer to support him.

Nokai shrugs, though he remains alert.

"Could be. That creep might just be doing some last-minute training. Though I doubt it was for nothing - Xuhuan never does anything without purpose."

The group continues their stealthy approach to the palace, though their caution remains heightened after Jay's strange encounter.

Yokijo's voice carries a hint of her usual sarcasm despite the tense situation.

"Well, at least now we know to expect some unexpected magical theatrics. This festival is getting more exciting by the minute."

She leads them through a hidden passage that opens into the palace gardens.

Jay steadies himself and whispers as they emerge into the moonlit gardens.

"Something's wrong. The garden's too quiet. No guards, no servants - it's almost like..."

His voice trails off as he notices an unusual dark mist swirling around the central fountain.

The mist suddenly shifts shape, revealing the silhouette of Xuhuan standing at the fountain's edge."

His voice carries through the garden like a chilling breeze.

"Ah, my little heroes. How predictable of you to show up at my invitation."

Zhodan raises his sword, his expression hardening.

"Xuhuan, your attempts at deceit are becoming tiresome. What game are you playing now?"

The darkness surrounding the wizard seems to pulse in response to his words.

Xuhuan chuckles darkly, his eyes glowing with malevolent power.

"Such mistrust, Zhodan. But why should I be direct? Your fear is so much more... entertaining."

The dark mist thickens around them, making it difficult to see the palace behind him.

Nokai's hands begin to glow with divine energy as he prepares for battle.

"Whatever you're planning, we'll stop it. Emerarudo's darkness ends here."

The tension in the garden reaches a boiling point as the four heroes prepare to confront their nemesis.

Xuhuan waves his hand dismissively, his form beginning to dissolve into shadows.

"Oh, but I have other plans for you. Let's just say... the festival is only the beginning."

His voice echoes through the garden as he vanishes completely, leaving only the unsettling mist behind.

Zhodan grabs Jay's arm, pulling him back urgently.

"RUN! The mist is draining our energy."

The ground beneath them starts to pulse with dark energy, causing the very stones to crack.

Yokijo leads the way as the party races back toward the secret passage.

"This way! The gardens are collapsing - we need to get out NOW!"

The ground shakes violently behind them, the dark magic spreading through the palace like a contagion.

The group collapses in the passage, panting heavily as they catch their breath, yokijo speaks first

"That was... too close. The entire garden is now a magical trap."

Jay's skin still feels drained from the brief exposure to the mist.

Nokai peers back through the passage opening, witnessing the destruction.

"Xuhuan's magic has turned the entire garden into some kind of cursed ground. No one will be able to approach his palace now."

The darkness from the garden seems to have seeped into the palace walls, making them appear more ominous.