The night passed in relative quiet, the spire's energy receding as the relay core's destruction severed its sinister grip on the region. The small room they had chosen as shelter proved to be a surprisingly haven.
Elena had taken the first watch, her eyes sharp as she sat near the entrance, her molten blade softly glowing like a beacon of warmth. When her shift ended, Hana took over. By the time Isabella's watch began, the faint hum of danger had diminished to almost nothing, and even Valentina's light snoring became a reassuring sound.
…
The first rays of what passed for morning in this place broke through the cracks in the walls, casting faint light on the group. Despite their surroundings, the women woke up feeling rested. The silence outside felt less foreboding and more welcoming.
