Chapter 215

• The following morning, when we woke up, I carefully made my way down the rock formation. The air was still and quiet, with a soft, early morning breeze brushing against my skin. Everyone was still asleep except for the wolves that had been assigned to patrol through the night. The first rays of sunlight were just beginning to stretch across the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape and illuminating the silhouettes of the sleeping warriors scattered throughout the rocky terrain.
• I took a slow, deep breath and looked around at all the brave men who had come to fight with us. Many were sleeping soundly in small clusters, while a few had curled up alone. Their exhaustion was etched into their faces, a quiet reminder of the countless battles they had already faced and the even greater challenge that still lay ahead. Some were sprawled out on the rocks, others beneath temporary shelters, and a few rested directly on the hard ground. These were warriors—strong, selfless, and unwavering—who had chosen to stand by our side against an evil we still didn’t fully understand how to defeat.
• The thought weighed heavily on me. I knew, logically, that if we could stop the ritual, we might have a chance at stopping her. That would certainly make things easier. But even if we succeeded in preventing the ritual from being completed, it wouldn’t fix the bigger problem. That problem was Lilith. Getting rid of her entirely was the only way to ensure we and our world would be safe. Because if we didn't find a way to destroy her or send her back, she would come looking for vengeance. She would return for us, fueled by rage and hatred, furious that we had dared to interfere with her plan.