The first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Elara was already awake, standing at the edge of the village, her thoughts focused on the journey ahead. She could feel the weight of the crystal's power even though it was now stored safely within the Sacred Library. The bond she shared with it was unbroken, a constant reminder of the responsibility she bore.
Kael soon joined her, his presence calm and steady as always. "Ready?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
Elara nodded, her eyes fixed on the distant mountains where the Sacred Library was hidden. "As ready as I'll ever be. This time, it feels different, though. Like the stakes are higher."
"They are," Kael agreed. "But we've grown stronger, too. We've learned to trust each other, to face our fears. That's what will carry us through this."
