Chapter 416: Chapter 416: Echoes of Destiny

The air was eerily calm in the aftermath of the battle, the Nexus now a serene swirl of light and shadow, pulsing gently like the steady beat of a heart. Elara remained on her knees, her breath ragged as she watched the guardian retreat into the distance, its towering form blending into the flickering expanse of the Nexus. The danger had passed, but a deep unease lingered in her chest.

Morgana approached, her steps faltering from exhaustion. "We've stabilized the Nexus," she said, her voice trembling, though not from the effort alone. "But I can feel it, Elara. This is just the beginning."

Elara nodded, slowly rising to her feet. She felt it too—a faint tremor beneath the surface of reality, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for something far worse to arrive. "The balance may have been restored, but there's something… unsettled. Something more ancient than even the dark magic we've been fighting."