Chapter 271: Chapter 271: The Awakening Storm 

As dawn broke, the landscape seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The air was crisp and clean, a contrast to the oppressive darkness that had once shrouded the valley. Elara and her companions trekked through the forest, their spirits buoyed by the success of the ritual but mindful of the challenges yet to come.

The purified crystal, now a brilliant and vibrant blue, was securely packed away. It felt lighter, as though it carried less of the burden it once did. Morgana had explained that the ritual had removed the Abyss's corruptive influence, but they all knew it was still a potent artifact with immense power that needed to be handled with care.

Kael led the way, navigating the dense forest with practiced ease. The path they followed was less about distance and more about connecting the dots on their journey—each step took them closer to understanding the nature of the Abyss and how to defeat it.