The Calm Before the Storm

The quiet that followed the battle was a deceptive one. The sounds of the skirmish faded into the distance, leaving only the crackling of dying fires and the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. Xypheron stood atop a small rise, surveying the battlefield below. His mind was a storm of thoughts, each one more pressing than the last. But above all, the question remained: who were they really fighting?

The figures in the forest had been unlike anything he'd faced before—silent, swift, and precise. Their motives were unclear, but there was no mistaking that they had purpose, a dark purpose. It wasn't just a raid; it was a message. But from whom? And why now?

He was snapped from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Without turning, he knew who it was. Vexaria's presence was unmistakable, and despite the chaos, her calm demeanor was a steadying force in the turbulent sea of his thoughts.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," she said softly, standing beside him.

Xypheron glanced at her, noting the weariness in her eyes, the subtle tension in her posture. She had been through as much as he had—perhaps more. But still, there was a strength in her that he couldn't deny.

"Not a ghost," he replied, his voice low and contemplative. "A shadow. Something darker is out there, and I don't think this was just an attack. It feels like the beginning of something worse."

Vexaria met his gaze, her eyes steady. "We've faced worse before," she said, though there was an edge of concern in her voice. "But you're right. This… this feels different."

He nodded, his mind racing. "