The dawn came slowly, casting a pale light over the village as the last of the night's patrols returned to report in. James stood on the newly reinforced wooden wall, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. The tension that had settled over the village since the battle with the Titan hadn't lifted, and now, every shadow in the forest seemed like a threat.
Sasha stood beside him, her armor gleaming in the morning light. "The patrols didn't spot anything unusual," she said, her voice calm but edged with the same worry James felt. "But the people are on edge. They're scared, and I don't blame them."
James nodded, his gaze still fixed on the treeline. "We can't afford to relax. Not yet. There's something coming. I can feel it."
Sasha glanced at him, her brow furrowed. "You think it's related to the lich?"
"I don't know," James replied, shaking his head slightly. "But it feels like the calm before the storm. The Titan was just the beginning."
