Chapter 40 Echoes Of The Past

• The battle was over, but the silence that followed was almost unbearable. Meher stood in the clearing, the faint glow of the Heartstone in her palm now dimming as the last vestiges of Jareth’s dark presence slipped away. The trees around them stood still, their ancient branches whispering in the breeze, as if acknowledging the gravity of what had transpired.
• Ayaan’s gaze lingered on her, his expression thoughtful as he approached, though the air between them felt heavy. They had won, but at what cost? The sense of victory was hollow, as though the battle was not yet truly over. They had faced Jareth, but something deeper, something more ancient, stirred beneath the surface of their world.
• “We need to move,” Ayaan said, his voice low but resolute. “Jareth may be gone, but we’re not safe yet. There’s more at play here than just him.”