The team made their way back through the dark corridors of the Citadel, the weight of their recent victory tempered by the knowledge that the true battle still lay ahead. Destroying the Obsidian Heart was a significant step, yet they knew the Shadow Ascendant would retaliate with unmatched fury.
As they moved through the Citadel's lower levels, the oppressive darkness that had once saturated the air was thinning. Without the Obsidian Heart's influence, the fortress was losing its sinister strength. The twisted architecture of the place seemed less imposing, the shadows less menacing. But Canila knew better than to let his guard down—this was only a temporary reprieve.
Kael took a deep breath, glancing around warily. "Without the Heart, the magic fueling the Citadel's defenses is dissipating, but the Shadow Ascendant's influence here runs deep. We should move quickly."