Beside him, Rylan appeared with a flicker of light, his form shimmering as though it wasn't quite real. His fingers already weaving intricate illusions in the air, distorting reality to confuse the dragon.
Elora emerged from the shadows, her movements swift as she took her position behind Kaelen and Rylan. "Santi, what about the elders and King Solareth?"
Santi froze, her breath hitching as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She bit down hard on her lip, fighting to hold back the flood threatening to break through.
The moment was heavy. Rylan and the others didn't need to hear the words — her expression said it all. The elders, the king . . . they were gone.
They had failed.
An unbearable silence fell over the group, the weight of their loss settling like a dark cloud over the battlefield.
"What about Gorm and the magic circle?" Rylan demanded, his voice tight with urgency.
