The Citadel's once-vibrant grounds were now a somber tapestry of battle scars and weary faces. The dawn of a new day had brought a sense of calm, but beneath the surface, the remnants of the recent conflict simmered. The defenders were tired but resolute, their spirits tested but unbroken. The aftermath of the dark mage's defeat had left the battlefield scarred, but it was also a testament to their resilience.
Elara walked through the encampment, her steps slow and deliberate as she passed by the injured and the exhausted. Her heart ached for her comrades, each of them bearing their own wounds—both physical and emotional. The dark mage's defeat had brought a brief respite, but the sense of looming danger was ever-present.