The village remained eerily silent as dawn broke, casting a pale light over the weathered buildings. Inside the fortified house, Elara and her companions prepared for the next leg of their journey. The atmosphere was tense but focused, their minds lingering on Elara's revelation from the night before.
Elara moved through the room with a newfound sense of purpose. Lirael's words had settled in her heart, pushing aside the lingering doubts. She knew now that the burden she carried was not hers alone. The light within her was just one part of a greater whole, one that included everyone standing beside her.
As they packed their gear, Elias was the first to break the silence. "We're heading toward the Abyss, aren't we?" he asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of his words.
