The Unexpected Detour

The journey back to Eldoria should have been a straightforward return, a weary march through familiar lands. But as dawn broke over the horizon, casting long shadows across the trees, the forest they found themselves in felt strangely unfamiliar. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the soft rustle of leaves, and though the sun was rising, it did little to lift the gloom that clung to the dense foliage.

Emily led the way, her eyes scanning the path ahead. Valen walked beside her, his expression set in a grim determination. Behind them, Darius, Lira, and Alaric trudged along, their weariness palpable after the ordeal in the Shadowlands. Their hearts were heavy, but their resolve was unbroken. They had destroyed the Shadow Orb, dealt a significant blow to the dark forces, and now all that remained was the journey home. Or so they thought.