The first light of dawn broke over the horizon, faint and muted by the ever-present storm clouds that hung ominously over the Shattering Wastes. Inside the crystalline dome, the group stirred, their bodies moving sluggishly after the brief but uneasy rest. The soft glow of the Aether-fueled structure dimmed as Seline stood in its center, raising a hand. Her expression was serene yet focused, her fingers curling as she called upon the energy sustaining the protective structure. With a simple touch, the dome began to crumble. Its protective walls disintegrated into sparkling trails of Aether that spiraled upward before vanishing into the ether.
Morgan stretched, rolling his shoulders as his eyes locked onto the towering storm wall ahead. The next barrier loomed like a jagged curtain of chaos, its swirling winds visible even from their current position. A constant, low rumble of thunder underscored the cacophony of howling winds, making the air itself feel heavy with tension.
