Chapter 403 - THE BREAK OF DAWN

The first light of dawn began to break across the scarred horizon, a faint wash of silver and pale gold creeping over the ashen sky. The air was heavy with dew, and though the land was barren, a strange stillness lingered as if the world itself was holding its breath. The campfires had dwindled into faint embers, curling smoke lazily into the air. The mana practitioners, elves, and Nullcarvers were already beginning to stir, their faces drawn, their hearts weighed down by the enormity of the task that awaited them beyond the border.