The Silver Woods were quiet now, a fragile stillness settling over the clearing as the remnants of Viktor's twisted ritual lay shattered around them. The altar, split in two by the force of Adira's attack, emanated faint tendrils of smoke that curled into the chilled night air. The dagger, its glow now dim, remained lodged in the fractured stone, a silent sentinel over what had been undone.
Adira rose to her feet unsteadily, her legs trembling beneath her. Kane was by her side in an instant, his arm steadying her as she swayed.
"You're a hell of a lot braver than I gave you credit for," he said, his voice low but carrying a hint of admiration.
She managed a faint smile, though her body still felt the weight of exhaustion. "Brave or foolish. The line's getting blurry."
Kane's smirk faded as his eyes scanned the clearing. "The entity's gone, but something doesn't feel right."
