The fire had burned out completely, leaving only a thin trail of smoke spiraling upward as the forest settled into a heavy silence once more. Thorne sat cross-legged beside Lyra, watching her breathe steadily as she slept. The glow of their recent ritual still clung to the clearing, though it had faded to a mere suggestion in the light of the morning. Exhaustion pulled at his limbs, but his mind refused to rest.
Kael leaned against a nearby tree, his face still etched with worry, despite the success of the ritual. He stared off into the distance, his eyes unfocused, lost in thought. Morgana was crouched by the remains of the fire, quietly inspecting her spellbook, her fingers tracing the faded ink of ancient runes. Though none of them spoke, the weight of what had just occurred pressed heavily upon them.
