Dawn broke with an eerie stillness, the golden light of the rising sun doing little to dispel the heavy tension that had settled over the Guardians' base. A strange quiet had fallen over the landscape, as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the events about to unfold.
Elara stood at the entrance to the base, watching the horizon with a keen eye. Her instincts were screaming at her that something was wrong, and after years of battle and leadership, she had learned to trust those instincts.
Lyra approached, her face set in a grim expression. "The scouts are back," she said quietly, glancing behind her as the weary team of scouts made their way inside. "The Weavers are mobilizing. It's worse than we thought. They're channeling power directly from the ley lines. It's corrupting the land, warping it."
Elara felt a chill run down her spine. She had feared as much, but hearing it confirmed only solidified her resolve. "How far are they?"
