CHAPTER 20: THE RISING THREAT

Scene 1: Whispered Warnings

The days following their victory were calm, but the tension lingered in the air. Mira couldn’t throw away the feeling that something was amiss. The crystal pulsed faintly in its secured chamber, but its light seemed dimmer than before. Mira found herself drawn to it, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns on its surface.

One evening, as the group gathered around a small fire, Lumara spoke, its voice carried a hint of concern. "The enemy’s retreat was not a defeat. They are regrouping, and their plans are far from over."

Ethan frowned, poking the fire with a stick. "So, what’s our next move? We can’t just sit here and waiting for them to come back."

Elira leaned forward, as her eyes reflected in the flames. "We need to find out what they’re planning. If we can get ahead of them, we might have a chance to stop them for good."

Mira nodded, with a hardened resolve. "We’ll seek out their stronghold. We can’t let them regain their strength."