The wind howled outside the fortress walls as darkness descended upon the land. Within the ancient stone structure, the group gathered around the map once more, their faces lit only by the flickering light of a nearby fire. Tension hung in the air, but beneath it, a sense of purpose thrummed. The Abyss had been quiet for days, too quiet. Elara knew that this stillness was not peace—it was the calm before the storm.
Morgana leaned over the table, tracing a line across the map with her finger. "The last scout reports placed the Abyss forces gathering here, in the lowlands to the west," she said, her voice low but clear. "They're not advancing yet, but they're amassing their power. We need to strike before they come at us in full force."
