## Chapter 11: Echoes of Doubt
The journey back to Lumina was arduous, both physically and emotionally. Alex bore the brunt of the battle, his body still recovering from the entity's onslaught. Umbra, its energy depleted, remained a faint, shimmering presence beside him. The weight of their failure, the inability to secure the fragment, hung heavy in the air.
As they approached the outskirts of Lumina, the familiar sights and sounds of the city brought a sense of solace amidst the turmoil within. Yet, Alex couldn't shake off the gnawing sense of doubt. They had returned empty-handed, their mission incomplete.
News of their encounter with the entity spread like wildfire through Lumina. The citizens, initially relieved of their return, soon turned apprehensive. Whispers of doubt and fear echoed through the streets, questioning their ability to protect the city from such powerful forces.
