As Alaric and his friends emerged from the Whispering Woods, the golden light of dawn brought a momentary sense of peace. However, the weight of their mission remained heavy on their shoulders. They had secured the Nexus Crystal, but the journey ahead promised even greater challenges.
"We need to regroup and strategize," Thalia suggested, her eyes scanning the horizon. "The Order won't rest. They'll come for us."
Adrian nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed. We should find a safe place to lay low for a while and plan our next move."
Lyra pulled out a map, tracing her finger along a route. "There's an old safehouse not far from here. It's hidden and well-fortified. We can regroup there."
With a plan in place, they set off towards the safehouse, moving swiftly but cautiously through the forest. The journey was uneventful, giving them time to reflect on recent events and gather their thoughts.
