With the rogue leader defeated, life in the alliance felt like it was on the precipice of a new dawn. But beneath the celebrations, uncertainty hung like fog over the land.
As the days passed, Maris couldn’t shake the feeling that other forces were stirring in the darkness, unseen and dangerous. In meetings with Lira and the elders, discussions were held about what to do next, but even their resolute faces bore the marks of worry.
One evening, Maris found herself at the riverbank, where the water flowed with shimmering light, the moon reflecting in its depths. Theodore joined her silently, settling beside her as they watched the gentle ripples dance across the surface.
“I can practically feel the tension in the air,” she said, breaking the silence. “The peace feels almost… precarious.”
