The camp was alive with a tense energy. The days following Elara's return had been marked by a flurry of activity as the group fortified their defenses and coordinated their plans. Though the immediate threats seemed to recede, an unspoken anxiety lingered in the air. The Veil's power was a double-edged sword, and the cost of wielding it was a growing concern for Elara and her friends.
Elara sat by the campfire, her gaze fixed on the flames. The warmth was a stark contrast to the cold, enigmatic energy that now coursed through her. The firelight danced on her face, casting fleeting shadows that seemed to whisper secrets from beyond.
"Can't sleep?" Cedric's voice broke through the quiet.
Elara turned to see Cedric approaching, his expression a mixture of concern and weariness. "I've been thinking," she admitted. "About the Veil. There's something I haven't told you all."
Cedric sat beside her, his eyes encouraging her to continue.
