The dawn had fully broken, casting a golden light across the forest floor. The shadows that had plagued them during the night seemed to retreat as the sunlight streamed through the canopy, giving the forest a renewed sense of vitality. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, and the chirping of birds provided a rhythmic soundtrack to their march.
Elara, Kirin, Thalia, and Lyra pressed on through the forest, their steps synchronized as they moved with purpose. The crystal's subdued glow was a constant reminder of the power they carried and the responsibility that came with it. Each member of the group was lost in their thoughts, processing the events of the past night and the trials that lay ahead.
