The team's return to the village on the outskirts of the Blackfen Swamp was met with a mix of relief and unease. Though they had succeeded in stabilizing the Nexus, the weight of their task still pressed heavily on their minds. The Nexus might now be an ally in their fight, but they knew the Shadow Shard's forces would not rest.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the village, Elara and her companions convened in the small, dimly lit tavern that had become their temporary headquarters. The flickering light from the fireplace did little to dispel the tension that hung in the air.
Elara leaned over the map spread out on the table, her brow furrowed in concentration. "We've managed to align the Nexus's power with our own, but the Shadow Shard is still out there. We need to find out where it is and what its followers are planning."
