The forest seemed to sigh with relief as Elara and her companions made their way through the underbrush. The sunlight that filtered through the trees was brighter, warmer, as if the land itself was celebrating the group's victory over the darkness. Despite their exhaustion, there was a palpable sense of triumph among them—a hard-earned reprieve after the battle against the monolith.
As they walked, the group remained mostly silent, each lost in their own thoughts. The recent battle had taken a toll on them all, not just physically but mentally. Elara glanced at Morgana, who still leaned heavily on her staff, her face pale and drawn. Selene walked a few paces behind, her eyes darting warily from shadow to shadow as if expecting the darkness to return at any moment. Thorne, ever vigilant, kept to the rear, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
