Aetheric Waste II

The safehouse was dimly lit, its stone walls insulated against the harsh energy storms outside. The survivors of Aiden's strike team sprawled on makeshift bedding, exhausted but victorious. Aiden stood apart from them, staring at the night sky through a narrow window, his thoughts already racing ahead.

Myne approached, her footsteps silent. "You did good today," she said, leaning against the wall beside him. "We all did."

Aiden didn't turn, his eyes fixed on the swirling energies in the distance. "It's not enough. We've slowed them down, but they'll come back stronger."

"True," Myne admitted. "But you gave people hope, Aiden. That's not nothing."

Before he could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. Rick opened it cautiously, revealing a hooded figure flanked by two Skyfury Nomads. The figure stepped inside, pulling back their hood to reveal an elven woman with sharp features and piercing emerald eyes.