Chapter 500: Chapter 500: The Dawn of Reckoning

The village lay in a heavy silence as the first rays of dawn pierced the darkened sky. The anticipation was almost tangible, each breath held in anxious expectancy. Elara stood at the forefront of the village, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the enemy forces had been seen assembling. Her resolve was unshakable; she knew this would be a decisive moment in their struggle against the Shadow Shard.

Morgana and Aric had returned from their investigation, their faces grim but determined. "We've pinpointed the locations of their focal points," Morgana reported. "The ritual is set to take place at a hidden altar deep within the forest. It's protected by powerful wards, but if we can disrupt it, we might be able to weaken their hold."

Aric nodded, adding, "We'll need to move quickly. Their ritual is likely already underway, and we don't have much time before it reaches a critical stage."