Following Thorne's composed counsel, you reluctantly acknowledge the necessity of a strategic withdrawal amidst the chaos enveloping your party. With a heavy heart, you organize the retreat, each step a painful reminder of the looming threat and the hurdles made in vain.

As you and your companions disengage from the battle, the bitter taste of defeat lingers on your tongues. The weight of fallen comrades hangs heavy in the air, casting a pall over your spirits as you navigate the treacherous terrain of the accursed forest, seeking refuge from the relentless onslaught of demonic forces.

But tragedy strikes amidst the chaos. As you make your desperate escape, the towering demon and its minions descend upon your group with ferocious intent. In the ensuing chaos, Sir Malachar falls valiantly, his resolute spirit no match for the overwhelming tide of darkness. Aria Shadowweaver, despite her magical prowess, meets a similar fate, her spells no match for the relentless onslaught.

With each fallen comrade, the burden of shame and regret grows heavier, weighing down your soul as you flee for your lives. The dream of closing the Rift crumbles before your eyes, shattered by the harsh realities of battle and the cruel hand of fate.

As you regroup and take stock of your dwindling numbers, a sense of desolation settles over you. The once unbreakable bond of camaraderie now fractured by loss and despair. Though Thorne's guidance may offer a sliver of solace, it does little to quell the overwhelming sense of defeat that weighs heavily upon your shoulders.