Chapter 193: Chapter 193: The Eternal Flame

The forest stretched before them, a labyrinth of towering trees and winding paths, shrouded in mist that clung to the ground like a veil of uncertainty. Each step forward felt heavier than the last, the burden of loss weighing on their hearts as they ventured deeper into the unknown. Elara's absence was a void they could not fill, but it was her sacrifice that propelled them onward, giving them the strength to face the ever-present threat of the darkness.

Kirin led the way, his hand never far from the hilt of his sword, eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Beside him, Lyra walked with measured steps, her grief transforming into a quiet determination. Morgana trailed slightly behind, the lifeless Aetherstone clutched tightly in her hands. The stone had once pulsed with the vibrant energy of the Source, but now it was a cold, inert reminder of the battle they had fought—and the friend they had lost.