Shadows of the past

As the morning sun crept over the courtyard, its warm glow illuminated the aftermath of the battle. Faint wisps of darkness still clung to the air, reminders of the clash against Seraphine and her sorcery. Zia, Leon, and Alaric stood side by side, each feeling the weight of the night's events settle on their shoulders. Though they had won a critical victory, the shadows cast by Seraphine's ambitions lingered, a haunting reminder that the battle for the Heartstone's power was far from over.

"Where to now?" Alaric broke the silence, casting a sidelong glance at Zia.

Zia turned the Heartstone in her hand, the gem now emitting a softer, steadier glow. She could feel its warmth seep through her fingers, a reassuring pulse in time with her heartbeat. "There's only one place where we might find answers," she replied, her gaze drifting toward the distant hills beyond Eldralore. "The Lost Archives."