Chapter 1705: The Source of Shadows

The clearing was eerily silent, the air thick with a palpable sense of dread. The ancient, gnarled tree at its center seemed to radiate a malevolent energy, its twisted branches reaching out like claws. The darkness around it pulsed and writhed, as if alive, and the faint sound of whispering filled the air, sending shivers down Elena's spine. She and Liam stood at the edge of the clearing, their hands still clasped tightly, their resolve unshaken despite the overwhelming presence of the shadowy force.

"That tree," Elena whispered, her voice trembling. "It's... alive, isn't it?"

Liam nodded, his expression grim. "It's the heart of the darkness," he said. "The source of everything we've been fighting. If we destroy it, we can stop the darkness for good."

Elena swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. "How do we destroy it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.