The fortress had weathered a night of relentless skirmishes, the air thick with tension and the scent of smoke. As dawn approached, the first rays of sunlight began to pierce through the lingering shadows. Elara, Morgana, and Cedric met in the war room, their faces illuminated by the weak morning light.
Elara's eyes were sharp, her expression a blend of exhaustion and resolve. "We've managed to hold our ground through the night, but we need to prepare for the next phase. The enemy will be regrouping and reinforcing their positions."
Cedric nodded, his face lined with fatigue but determined. "The disruption of their command structure has thrown them into disarray, but we can't rely on that alone. We need to be ready for a counterattack."
