The clearing was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing. The ground was torn and blackened, trees splintered, and the air still shimmered faintly with leftover energy. Mist drifted where the shadows had vanished, curling and twisting before fading away completely.
For a long moment, no one moved. Everyone just stood there, staring at the space where the darkness had been. Then Dennis finally stepped forward, his voice rough but steady. “Is everyone alive?”
A few warriors groaned in response. Petra wiped blood and dirt from her face and nodded. “No deaths. A few injuries, but we’ll heal.”
I sank down onto the grass, every muscle in my body aching. Gage dropped beside me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, golden energy still faintly glowing around him. Asher stayed sta
