Chapter 1578: The Echo of Forgotten Wills

The group trudged through the forest, their every step heavy with fatigue and the lingering dread of what lay ahead. The destruction of the second rift had drained them more than they cared to admit. Though their bodies moved forward, their minds were weighed down by the stark realization: the Shadow Shard's defenses were growing stronger.

Elara leaned against a tree, her breath labored. She clutched the relic, its once-vivid glow now a faint ember in her palm. It pulsed weakly, as though reflecting her own exhaustion. Kade offered her a waterskin, concern flickering in his eyes as he watched her gulp the liquid.

"How much longer do you think you can push yourself like this?" he asked, his voice soft but tinged with worry.

"As long as it takes," Elara replied firmly, though her voice wavered. She straightened, shaking off her weariness. "The relic will recover... and so will I. We don't have the luxury of stopping now."