The morning after their triumphant counter-ritual, Richie and Sarah felt a sense of cautious optimism. The oppressive presence that had haunted them seemed to have lifted, replaced by a tentative peace. But they knew their battle wasn't over. They had broken the immediate bond between the dark force and the land, but the entity itself still lingered, its origins shrouded in mystery.
Determined to uncover the root of the darkness, Richie and Sarah resumed their investigation with renewed vigor. They spent hours in the town's dusty archives, poring over old records, journals, and newspapers. They sought out the town's elders, including Agnes, whose knowledge had already proven invaluable.
