Chapter 519: Chapter 519: A Shimmer of Promise

The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting long shadows across the battlefield. The stronghold's walls, though battered and cracked, still stood, a testament to the defenders' resilience. The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke, the sounds of clashing steel and cries of battle gradually giving way to an eerie quiet as both sides took a brief respite.

Cedric leaned against the remnants of the battlements, catching his breath. His muscles ached from the night's relentless fighting, but he couldn't afford to rest. The siege engines were still out there, and the Shadow Shard's forces showed no sign of retreating. If anything, the dawn seemed to embolden them, their dark banners still fluttering ominously in the early light.