The chill of early morning swept through the village as a light mist clung to the ground, softening the edges of the world. Elena stood at the edge of the training grounds, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun was just beginning to rise. Her thoughts swirled with the plans they had laid out the previous night—a delicate web of alliances, defenses, and trust that would either secure their future or unravel under the weight of unforeseen challenges.
Kael approached quietly, his boots crunching softly against the dew-soaked grass. "You’re up early," he said, his voice breaking the stillness.
Elena turned, offering a small smile. "Couldn’t sleep. Too much to think about."
Kael nodded, stepping beside her. "I get it. The weight of leadership isn’t easy to shrug off, even for a moment.
