The air in the fortress was heavy with anticipation as dawn approached. The sun had barely crested the horizon, and the fortress's stone walls were already alive with activity. Elara, Kael, Morgana, and Arian had barely rested since their return, their focus now entirely on preparing for the inevitable confrontation with the Abyss.
Elara stood by the central hall's large window, her eyes scanning the rugged landscape that stretched out before them. The fortress, though ancient, was a stronghold of immense strategic value, but its isolation and the encroaching darkness made it a double-edged sword. She knew they were not only defending a physical location but also a beacon of hope against the encroaching night.
