Chapter 1716: Shadows of the Hollow

As Elena and Liam entered Blackwood Hollow, the atmosphere was heavy, thick with the knowledge that the battle they had just fought was only a small part of the larger war. The town felt strangely quiet, the usual bustle of people in the streets replaced by an almost eerie stillness. Even the evening breeze, which usually carried the comforting scent of pine and earth, felt cold, as though nature itself was holding its breath.

The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long, dark shadows that stretched across the cobblestone streets. The lanterns had already been lit, their flickering flames offering little comfort against the darkness that seemed to creep in from every corner. As they walked through the town square, the few townsfolk still awake watched them with wary eyes. Elena could feel their gaze, but there was no time for pleasantries or reassurances. The urgency of their situation pressed on her, a constant weight on her chest.