The revelation of Astrid's shadow cast a long shadow over the group's victory in Eldarath. As they camped beneath the starlit sky, doubt gnawed at their hearts. Rylan's troubled expression mirrored the unease within them.
Lyra, ever perceptive, approached Rylan. "Rylan," she began, her voice barely a whisper, "the prophecy… what if it's about more than just the balance? What if it's about our very souls?"
Rylan met her gaze, a flicker of fear in his eyes. "The convergence blurs the lines," he admitted. "We tread a dangerous path, lest we succumb to the darkness within."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. The threat posed by Astrid's shadow paled in comparison to the battle they might face within themselves.
"And what of Astrid's shadow?" Lyra pressed. "Can we truly defeat it?"