The first light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when Elara and her team assembled in the village's central square. The air was crisp and still, the aftermath of the battle casting a heavy silence over the village. The defenders and villagers worked silently, their tasks set by necessity rather than choice. The task ahead was daunting, but the resolve of the people was as unyielding as ever.
Elara's thoughts were consumed by Morgana's revelation about the gateway to the Shadow Realm. The urgency of sealing it weighed heavily on her mind. If the Shadow Shard had the means to breach their world, they could face an even greater threat. The village had weathered the first storm, but they needed to prepare for the possibility of more.
