The fire crackled softly in the dimly lit cabin, the only sound breaking the stillness of the night. Outside, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but inside, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. The black crystal sat in the center of the room, its ominous presence drawing the eyes of everyone around it. The group had spent the day in quiet reflection, each lost in their thoughts about the enormity of what lay ahead.
Elara couldn't sleep. She lay on her bedroll, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of the Abyss and the crystal. Despite their recent victories, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were only just beginning to scratch the surface of the darkness that threatened their world. The crystal, with its swirling shadows and muted glow, seemed to embody all the uncertainty and fear that had plagued them for so long.
