Chapter 228: Chapter 228: The Shifting Shadows

The first light of dawn crept over the village, a pale wash of gold that slowly banished the night. Elara was already awake, standing at the edge of the forest where the trees whispered secrets to the wind. She felt the weight of the crystal in her pack, a silent reminder of the power they had uncovered and the journey that still lay ahead.

Kael approached quietly, his boots crunching on the dew-covered grass. "Ready?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

Elara nodded. "The others?"

"Gathering their gear. We'll be ready to leave in a few minutes."

She turned to face him, her eyes reflecting the quiet determination that had come to define them both. "This next site… I have a feeling it's going to be different."

Kael studied her for a moment, then looked out at the forest. "We've faced plenty of challenges before. Whatever's waiting for us, we'll handle it."