The dawn broke with an eerie stillness, the sky painted in muted shades of gray. The village stirred to life in the early morning light, the usual routines shadowed by an unspoken tension. It was the kind of morning that heralded the beginning of something monumental, where the very air seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.
Elara awoke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. For a brief moment, disorientation clouded her thoughts, but then the memories of the previous day rushed back, bringing with them the weight of the responsibilities she bore. The day had arrived.
She dressed quickly, donning her armor with practiced efficiency. The leather felt heavier than usual, the metal clasps colder against her skin. Her mind was already racing ahead, considering the strategies they had laid out, the decisions she would have to make. Today, there would be no room for hesitation.
