The trio hurried across the barren landscape, the collapse of Cythoril's archives fading into the distance. Dust hung in the air behind them, and the ancient city's ruins now appeared even more ominous under the faint light of a waning sun. Every step felt heavier, weighed down not only by exhaustion but also by the grim knowledge they carried.
Elara glanced at the relic still pulsing faintly in her hand. The book's revelations had stirred something deep within her—an understanding of the scale of what they faced, but also the cost. The Abyss had already infected the ley lines in ways they hadn't imagined, and while purification was possible, it came at a terrifying price. Could she sacrifice herself for this cause?
"We need to find a safe place to regroup," Doran said, breaking her thoughts. His tone was even, but Elara caught the tension in his eyes. "The Abyss is on us faster than I thought."
