The night descended on the forest, and the once menacing clearing now lay quiet, bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight. Elara, Morgana, Selene, and Thorne had settled into their temporary camp, the exhaustion of their recent battle evident in their weary faces. As they gathered around a modest fire, the atmosphere was one of subdued relief.
Elara stared into the flames, her mind racing with thoughts of their next move. The battle against the Shadow Lord had been a significant victory, but she couldn't shake the feeling that their challenges were far from over. The forest, once vibrant, now seemed to hold its breath, as if anticipating something yet to come.
"I keep thinking about the monument," Morgana said, breaking the silence. "The dark magic we faced was powerful, but I wonder if there are more such places of corruption hidden across the land."