The forest was quiet. Too quiet.
The hum of the stabilized ward still echoed faintly in Adira's ears as the group trudged forward. The eerie calm that followed the battle with the harbingers felt unnatural, a sinister pause before the Rift's retaliation. Even Finn's usual sarcasm was absent, his eyes darting warily through the thickening trees.
Adira's legs ached, her body still reeling from the toll of stabilizing the second ward. But she pressed on, her determination burning brighter than the fatigue that gnawed at her muscles. Kane walked close to her, his presence a steadying force in the oppressive gloom.
"How far to the next ward?" Kane asked, his voice cutting through the silence.
Kael glanced back, his expression grim. "Another day's journey. Maybe less if we keep this pace."
"Great," Finn muttered. "Plenty of time for more creepy shadow monsters to ambush us."
Adira shot him a weary smile. "At least we know how to fight them now."
