The valley was eerily quiet, the stillness broken only by the occasional rustle of wind sweeping through the tall grass. Elara stood on the ridge, her eyes fixed on the dark horizon, where the forces of the Abyss were slowly but inexorably advancing. The first rays of dawn had yet to pierce the overcast sky, casting a muted, gray light over the landscape. It felt like the world was holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.
Behind her, Kael, Arian, and Morgana were making their final preparations. The fortress they had fortified over the past few days now stood as their last line of defense. Traps were set, defensive positions were reinforced, and the crystal—carefully guarded—remained their most dangerous asset and potentially their greatest weapon.
