Embrace of shadows

As the first golden rays of dawn spill over Silver Hollow's tranquil vistas, grateful villagers emerge from their cottages to gather reverently around the road-weary yet stalwart fellow travelers who safeguarded their community.

Smiling broadly, the village elder approaches Oliver with hand extended and pride gleaming in his eyes. “Your selfless actions shall resonate through generations of tales hereabouts, brave lad. It gladdens these old bones to witness living embodiments of valor and light during one’s final seasons.”

“We but follow the path set out before us, honored grandfather,” Oliver replies graciously if somberly. “Though glad to be of aid, grim experience warns that fell powers continue lurking across the land. Our task still stretches far to bring lasting stability back to the realms.”