The early morning light filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting long shadows on the narrow path ahead. Alaric and his companions emerged from the shadows of the ancient fortress, their movements weary but purposeful. The battle they had fought was over, but the journey to uncover the truth was far from complete.
As they walked towards the nearby town, the weight of their recent victory mingled with a gnawing sense of unease. The defeat of the dark mages and the disruption of the ritual had been crucial, but Alaric felt an unshakable connection between their struggle and his own past. Something deeper was at play, and he was determined to unravel it.
Thalia broke the silence. "We should head straight to the town archives. The answers we need are likely hidden among those ancient texts."
