The quiet that followed was unsettling. The darkness that had swallowed the sanctuary began to lift, but it left behind an oppressive weight, a reminder of what had just happened. Emily leaned against Aiden, her body trembling from the strain of what she had done, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts and fears. The light within her had returned when she needed it most, but the darkness was still there, lurking beneath the surface. It was always there.
Seraphina knelt beside Emily, her golden eyes filled with concern. "You pushed it back," she said softly, her voice laced with awe. "But it's not over, is it?"
Emily shook her head, her voice barely audible. "No. It's not over."
Thalia, who had been pacing anxiously, stopped and turned to face the group. "We need to make a decision, and we need to make it now," she said, her tone urgent. "Whatever that was, it's just the beginning. The Abyss isn't going to stop coming for Emily until it takes her. We can't stay here."
