The night descended over the fortress, thick with an almost tangible sense of impending conflict. Elara and her team, now fully prepared, waited with bated breath. The hours ticked by slowly, each passing moment intensifying the anticipation and anxiety that gripped the defenders. The fortifications were solid, the barriers were in place, and every soldier and mage stood ready for the battle that loomed.
As the final preparations concluded, the sky was lit by a distant glow—a warning that the enemy was on the move. The scouts, who had been stationed on high alert, sent word that the Shadow Shard's forces were advancing toward their position, their approach marked by a growing wave of dark, oppressive energy.
