The days following the battle were a whirlwind of activity. The Guardians, alongside the realm's surviving leaders, worked tirelessly to coordinate the rebuilding efforts. Messengers were dispatched to distant villages, carrying news of Varek's defeat and rallying the scattered survivors. The stronghold itself became a beacon of hope—a place where the wounded could find care, and the lost could gather to rebuild their lives.
Elara found herself at the center of it all, her responsibilities growing heavier with each passing day. She spent her time in constant meetings with Lord Darius and the council, discussing strategies for food distribution, protection of vulnerable areas, and the restoration of the realm's infrastructure. But in the quiet moments, when she had a rare chance to be alone, her thoughts always returned to the same question: *What comes next?*
