With a final surge of energy, the ritual reached its climax. The artifacts pulsed with a brilliant light, and the stone structure glowed with ancient runes. The dark tendrils retreated, and the ground stabilized. Leo channeled all his strength into the ritual, reinforcing the seal and containing the ancient darkness.
As the light spread across the realm, the team felt a sense of relief. The entity within the seal had been contained, and the ancient darkness was no longer a threat. Sofia and Leo shared a brief moment of triumph, knowing that they had succeeded in their mission.
However, they also knew that the fight wasn't over. The Herald's remnants were still out there, and the Council's division posed an ongoing challenge. Sofia reminded the team that their victory was just the beginning of a new chapter, one where they would need to stay vigilant and continue to protect the realms.