In the aftermath of the battle against the powerful lich, the quiet of the tomb felt almost unreal. Shadows lingered, thin and wispy now, as though exhausted of their dark purpose. The dim glow from the fading runes provided just enough light to reveal the weariness on each of their faces.
James exhaled deeply, his gaze moving from Sasha to Yori, and then to Emilia. They were visibly tired but triumphant, each one bearing the marks of the intense battle. Sasha's shield showed new scratches, Yori's hands trembled slightly from the extensive magic she had channeled, and Emilia's quiver was nearly empty, with only a few arrows remaining.
"We did it," Sasha murmured, the awe in her voice barely concealing her exhaustion. Her lips curved into a small, weary smile. "That was... something else."
"More than something," Yori added, wiping her brow. "That creature's power was far beyond anything we've faced before."
