Chapter 728: Chapter 728: The Silent Witnesses

As the light from the chamber receded behind them, Elara, Kirin, Thalia, and Lyra emerged into the grove once more, the weight of the crystal's power still palpable in the air around them. The forest was eerily quiet, the trees now standing in solemn vigil as if aware of the gravity of the path that lay ahead.

Elara took a deep breath, feeling the crisp air fill her lungs. The world above felt different—less foreboding, yet not entirely safe. The knowledge they had gained was a powerful weapon, but it also carried with it a sense of ominous responsibility. She glanced down at the crystal in her hand, its light dimming slightly as it adjusted to the world outside the chamber.

"We should keep moving," Kirin said, his voice low but firm. "The longer we stay in one place, the more vulnerable we are."