The village loomed ahead, its familiar walls offering a small sense of comfort after the harrowing journey through the forest. As James and his crew approached, they could see the villagers bustling about, their faces a mix of relief and anxiety. The news of the dark magic spreading through the forest had reached everyone, and the air was thick with tension.
James carried the dark crystal wrapped securely in a thick cloth, feeling its malevolent energy pulse faintly in his hands. The villagers who came to greet them eyed the bundle warily, as if they could sense the darkness within it. He noticed the fear in their eyes and knew that their return, while a relief, brought with it the weight of the grim reality they now faced.
"We're back," James announced as they reached the village gates. He kept his voice steady, projecting confidence even as the uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawed at him. "But we've got a lot of work to do."
