The morning sun rose over the fortress, casting a pale light on the aftermath of the previous night's events. The air was still cool, but the promise of a warmer day lingered in the breeze. The workers and soldiers, who had pushed themselves to the brink the day before, now moved with a sense of weariness mixed with determination. The shadow of the attack weighed heavily on them all, a stark reminder that their battle was far from over.
Elara stood at the edge of the courtyard, watching as the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon. She had not slept, the events of the night replaying in her mind over and over. The cloaked figures, the dark ritual, and the looming threat they represented gnawed at her thoughts. They had won a small victory by disrupting the curse, but it was clear to her that something far more sinister was at play.