After an intense battle, the forest, once echoing with the sounds of combat, fell into an eerie silence. Catherine, Thomas, Virginia, Elizabeth, Pierre, and Bai Suzhen stood amidst a sea of skeleton remains. Their breaths were heavy, but none of them lowered their guard. Weapons remained ready in their hands.
"Why did they stop?" Pierre asked warily, wiping the dried blood from his shield.
"I feel the same," Elizabeth added, her hands still stained with fresh blood she had wielded as a weapon.
The Navigator's voice echoed in their minds, "Something is off. Skeleton monsters don't usually stop without a reason."
Bai Suzhen looked up, her sharp gaze fixed on the distant, gaping ancient gate. "When the wind calms before a storm, be on your guard," she said in a quiet yet cautious tone.
