A gray dawn broke over the horizon as the caravan slipped away from the scarred heart of Auralis. The ancient city lay behind them—a silent monument to promises kept and broken, its ruined spires a constant reminder of the fragile balance between light and shadow. Yet even as they left behind the heavy memories of the Council Hall and the shattered covenant, an unyielding tide of destiny surged forward, carrying them toward challenges they had yet to imagine.
Liam led the procession, the Emberheart cradled carefully in his calloused hands. Its once-vibrant glow had settled into a steady, resolute flicker—a beacon of hope tempered by the weight of sacrifice. Each step forward seemed to echo with the unspoken vow they had all made in the council chamber: to mend the Veil, no matter the cost. But the path ahead was no less treacherous for their newfound unity.