The clearing erupted into chaos as Elara and her companions charged forward. The air was thick with dark energy, and the ground trembled under the strain of the power being unleashed from the Obsidian Crucible. The twisted creatures, born from the Crucible's dark magic, surged toward them, their grotesque forms shifting and writhing as they moved.
Elara's sword cut through the air, slicing into the nearest creature with a blinding arc of light. The blade, imbued with her resolve, burned through the shadows, leaving a trail of ethereal fire. Her heart pounded as she fought, each swing a testament to her determination to protect everything she had fought for.
Beside her, Kael's vanguard had engaged with the enemy forces at the valley's entrance, pushing forward through the traps and ambushes the Conclave had set. The clash of steel and the roar of battle echoed through the valley, creating a cacophony of noise that added to the tumult of the moment.
