The journey back to the village was somber and quiet. The oppressive atmosphere of the ancient ruin still lingered in their minds, and the weight of the darkness they had temporarily sealed gnawed at their thoughts. The forest, which had once seemed alive with danger, now felt subdued, as if the land itself were holding its breath, waiting for the next move.
Elara, Kael, and Morgana moved in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The enormity of what they had faced—and what still lay ahead—pressed heavily on their spirits. They knew that the darkness they had encountered was far more powerful than anything they had faced before, and that their temporary victory had only bought them time.
