The dawn broke over Valrath with a delicate light, casting long shadows across the ancient city. Elara woke to the soft glow filtering through the window of their quarters, the serenity of the morning a stark contrast to the turmoil that had filled the previous night. The city seemed to stir awake slowly, its grand architecture bathed in a golden hue as the sun climbed higher.
The previous evening's preparations had been completed, and the team was ready to move. They had fortified their temporary base, set up wards around the library, and compiled a list of the rare ingredients they needed for the ritual. Elara, Arian, Kael, and Morgana gathered in their small meeting space, their faces etched with determination.