The aftermath of the ambush left an eerie silence in its wake. The fire had burned down to embers

The glow of the newly merged shard faded, leaving behind an uneasy silence in the chamber carved deep 

The rising sun cast long shadows over the Ashen Wastes, its golden rays doing little to chase away the lingering chill 

The cold night air bit into Elara’s skin as she moved further from camp, the shard pulsing like a living thing in her hand

The cold night air bit into Elara’s skin as she moved further from camp, the shard pulsing like a living thing in her hand

Dawn crept over the Ashen Wastes with reluctant fingers of pale light, casting long, jagged shadows across the torn remnants of their camp

The horizon burned with the crimson hues of a setting sun, casting long shadows over the Ashen Wastes

The Ashen Wastes stretched endlessly before them, the air thick with the scent of charred earth

The Ashen Wastes stretched out before Elara and her companions