The Guardians returned to the stronghold just as the night settled in, the flickering lights from the fortress illuminating their path. The air was crisp, and though the tension of battle had passed, an uneasy quiet lingered. Despite the relief of victory, the weight of what lay ahead pressed upon them.
Elara walked at the head of the group, her thoughts swirling. They had won, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Varek's final words still clung to the edges of her mind. *This isn't the end.* The relic was destroyed, the rift to the Shadow Realm closed, but the darkness had not been eradicated.
As they approached the gates, the guards greeted them with quiet respect, their expressions a mix of awe and concern. News of the battle had already spread, and the stronghold's inhabitants were eager for details.
