The morning sun painted the horizon in hues of gold and amber, casting long shadows over the desolate battlefield where the remnants of the True Shadow's forces had been vanquished. Though the darkness had receded, the air still carried a strange weight, as if the world itself was reluctant to believe the nightmare was truly over.
Kael leaned heavily on his sword, his breaths shallow but steady. His once-gleaming armor was now battered and smeared with soot, each dent a testament to the brutal fight they had endured. Elara knelt nearby, the Codex of Shadows clutched tightly in her arms. Its pages still glowed faintly, though the pulsating energy that had radiated from it during the final moments of the ritual was gone. Lyra paced the edge of the clearing, her bow still in hand, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon for any lingering threats.
