Chapter 496: Chapter 496: The Past's Enduring Whisper

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over the village. The events of the previous night had left the inhabitants exhausted but hopeful. Elara and her team had returned with the second artifact, and the mood in the village was one of cautious optimism. However, the victory was bittersweet, as the threat of the Shadow Shard loomed larger than ever.

In the command tent, the team gathered to review their progress and plan their next move. The artifact they had recovered—a large, glowing orb—was carefully placed on a table, its pulsing light a stark contrast to the exhaustion etched on their faces.

Morgana studied the orb intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. "This artifact has a strong connection to the dark magic we've been encountering. Its energy is different from the first artifact, suggesting it holds a unique power."