Chapter 985: Chapter 985: Shadows that Consume

The sun rose sluggishly over the horizon, casting a dull orange hue across the sky, as if struggling to break through the weight of the previous night's storm. Elara and Elias rode in silence, their horses' hooves splashing through the muddy trail that led back to Velorn. The battle in the ruins weighed heavily on their minds, and though they had survived, the encounter left a lingering sense of dread.

Elias glanced at Elara, her face set in deep concentration. "You've been quiet," he said, his voice low, almost tentative. "What are you thinking?"

Elara's eyes remained fixed on the path ahead. "That creature… the Primordials' magic has taken root deeper than we thought. If there are more like it out there, we're in more danger than we realized."

Elias nodded, his jaw tightening. "Roderic will have to take this seriously now. No more hesitations, no more waiting. We need a plan, and we need it fast."