The journey back to the city was filled with an uneasy quiet. The shadows of the forest seemed to stretch and deepen as night fell, the darkness pressing in from all sides. Elara, Morgana, and Kael traveled in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The victory over the Abyss was a fleeting solace; the real battle was just beginning.
As they approached the city gates, the air was heavy with anticipation. The mages who had remained behind had reinforced the wards and were working tirelessly to ensure that the city's defenses were intact. The streets were unusually empty, the normal bustle of activity replaced by an eerie stillness.
Elara, feeling the weight of their recent ordeal, led the way through the city's winding alleys and up to the council chambers. Kael had already sent word ahead, and the council was waiting to hear their report.