The silence in the aftermath was deafening. The echoing roar of the Devourer’s demise had faded, leaving behind an unnerving quiet that pressed in on them, a stark contrast to the chaotic battle that had raged only hours before. Lyra, her face pale and streaked with grime, sank to her knees, the weight of the victory settling heavily upon her. The joyous relief was quickly replaced by a crushing wave of grief. The faces of fallen comrades, their smiles and
laughter, flickered in her mind's eye, a constant, painful reminder of the cost of their triumph. Kael knelt beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder, offering a silent comfort that spoke volumes. He too carried the burden of loss, the memory of fallen friends a heavy weight on his heart.
Elara, ever connected to the earth, seemed
