The air hung heavy with the scent of woodsmoke and unshed tears.
Around a crackling bonfire, nestled deep within the Sanctuary's protective embrace, Lyra, Kael, and Elara sat huddled together, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows on their grief-stricken faces. The silence, broken only by the crackling fire and the rustling of leaves in the night wind, was a stark contrast to the vibrant energy that had once filled their lives. Their hearts ached with a shared sorrow, a wound that time would heal but never fully erase. They mourned for Ronan, their friend, their warrior, their brother-in-arms, lost in the brutal battle against Derick's forces.
Ronan, whose laughter had once echoed through the Sanctuary, whose strength had been a bulwark against the encroaching darkness, was gone.
