The Ash Returns

The sun rose over Crestwood, casting a warm glow that seemed to wash away the horrors of the previous night. Sarah stood at the edge of the ruins of Blackwood Manor, her heart heavy with loss and uncertainty. The townsfolk were beginning to stir, their faces pale and confused as they emerged from the fog that had shrouded their minds.

Lila stood beside her, her scar still faintly pulsing with a dark energy that made Sarah uneasy. “What now?” Lila asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“We need to regroup,” Sarah replied, glancing at the remnants of the manor. “We have to figure out what happened to Adrian and how to stop this ash from coming back.”

As they turned to leave, Lisa and Mark approached, their expressions grim. “We need to talk,” Mark said, his voice low. “There’s something happening in town.”

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The Gathering Storm