The fortress, though scarred by battle, stood resolute against the encroaching light of dawn. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the morning mist, casting a warm glow over the still-smoldering remnants of the battlefield. The sound of clanging metal and hushed conversations filled the air as the defenders and their allies worked to assess the damage and tend to the wounded.
Elara, her armor dented and dirt-streaked from the night's combat, stood among the remnants of the conflict. Her gaze swept across the scene: soldiers helping their injured comrades, mages performing healing spells, and the grim task of collecting the fallen. The weight of the battle's toll was evident in every corner of the fortress.
Kael approached, his face lined with fatigue but determined. "We've pushed them back for now, but we need to assess our losses and fortify our defenses. The Abyss will not give up easily."
