Chapter 626: Chapter 626: The Price of Victory

The sun had fully set by the time Elara and her companions emerged from the depths of the fortress. The sky was a deep, dusky purple, and the stars began to peek through the veil of darkness, each one a glimmer of hope against the night. The air was cooler now, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth, a welcome change from the stale, oppressive atmosphere of the fortress.

Elara took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and the sense of relief that came with it. The fortress lay behind them, a dark silhouette against the star-studded sky. They had driven out the darkness, but the battle had taken its toll. Their bodies were weary, and their minds were heavy with the echoes of the horrors they had faced.