The journey back to Lumina was marked by an uneasy silence. The soldiers and mages who had accompanied Kael and Elena were battered but alive, their faces etched with the weight of what they had witnessed. Though they had triumphed over the corruption anchor in the village, the encounter had shown them just how formidable the Abyss had become.
Kael rode at the front of the group, his gaze fixed ahead, but his mind lingered on the battle. The Abyssal creatures were evolving, becoming more resilient and cunning. Their sheer numbers were unlike anything he had encountered before.
Elena rode beside him, her expression thoughtful. Her golden mark, which had once been a beacon of hope, now felt like a reminder of the growing burden they bore. She had barely rested since their departure, her th
