Chapter 353: Chapter 353: The Shadows That Haunt

The warm glow of the purified Heart illuminated the grand chamber, casting long shadows on the stone walls. The eerie silence that followed their victory was almost unsettling after the battle's intensity. Elara, Elias, Morgana, Lyra, and Kirin took a moment to catch their breath, each of them feeling the weight of the recent struggle.

"This place feels different now," Lyra observed, her voice barely above a whisper. "The darkness… it's gone, but the city still feels haunted."

Elara nodded, her gaze sweeping across the ruined hall. The ancient structure, now bathed in a soft, golden light, held a strange beauty, yet there was an undeniable sadness that permeated the air. It was as if the city itself mourned the loss of its former glory.