The morning sun cast a soft light over the fortress, warming the cold stone walls and beginning the slow process of drying the remnants of the battle. The defenders moved with weary but determined steps, tending to their wounds and making repairs where they could. The battle had left its mark on the fortress, but its structure remained intact, a testament to its ancient strength and the resilience of its defenders.
Elara, her face smudged with dirt and exhaustion evident in her eyes, stood on the ramparts overlooking the landscape. The horizon was clear, but the events of the past night weighed heavily on her. The Abyss had been pushed back for now, but the sense of uneasy calm was a stark reminder that the threat was far from over.
