The faint glow of dawn spilled over the horizon, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Adira stood on the ridge, her hands gripping the hilt of her blade as she surveyed the desolate valley below. The spire's remnants lay shattered at the center of the clearing, its destruction a hollow victory that left more questions than answers.
Kael approached, his footsteps silent on the rough ground. He stopped beside her, his expression unreadable.
"We can't linger here," he said, his voice cutting through the stillness.
Adira nodded, her gaze unwavering. "I know. But what's next?"
Kael's jaw tightened, and he glanced over his shoulder at Kane and Finn, who were tending to their injuries a few paces away. "We regroup, track the corruption to its source. This was just one piece of the puzzle."
Adira turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. "And what happens when we find the source? Do we have the strength to face it?"
