The echoes of the battle still resonated in the air, the silence oppressive as the group stood at the edge of the chasm. The shadows had receded, but the oppressive weight of the abyss was ever-present, pressing in on them with an almost tangible force. They were victorious, but the victory was hollow, and they knew that this was only the beginning.
Elara's breath came in ragged bursts as she gazed at the remnants of the bridge, now just a faint shimmer in the darkness. The relic hummed softly in her grasp, its glow flickering like a heartbeat. It had saved them, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was only delaying the inevitable. The abyss had barely been touched, and its grip on the world was far stronger than they had yet to face.
"We need to move," Kade said, his voice sharp, breaking the silence. "The node is close, but so is the abyss."