The forest was eerily quiet as Elena and Liam made their way back to Blackwood Hollow. The darkness had been banished, the ancient tree destroyed, and the oppressive weight that had hung over the town for so long was finally lifted. But despite the victory, there was no sense of celebration. The battle had taken its toll, and the scars it had left behind were still fresh.
As they approached the town, the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, casting a warm, golden glow over the cobblestone streets. The townsfolk were already awake, moving through the streets with a sense of purpose as they worked to repair the damage caused by the darkness. Elena could see the exhaustion in their faces, but there was also a glimmer of hope—a fragile but growing belief that they could rebuild and move forward.