Bond in the shadows

The aftermath of the battle left the forest clearing eerily silent. Smoke and the faint scent of charred wood lingered in the air, a somber reminder of the fight they'd barely survived. Zia's muscles ached, and her pulse throbbed from the overuse of the Heartstone's power, but the refugees were safe—for now. Still, Madame Seraphine's presence haunted her thoughts, lingering like a shadow cast by the sun.

Leon sat beside her, his expression subdued as he stared into the flickering light of their campfire. Alaric was off to the side, arms crossed, a silent storm brewing within him as he kept a watchful eye on the surrounding forest. The tension between them crackled in the air, a tug-of-war of emotions neither dared to voice. But for tonight, the quiet felt like a brief gift they couldn't take for granted.