The immediate aftermath was a strange mix of relief and exhaustion. Kai, his wounds still stinging, helped Isla to her feet, his expression a mixture of concern and admiration. The clearing, once a scene of dark power, now held a sense of fragile peace.
The scent of sulfur lingered, a stark reminder of the battle that had just transpired.
Isla, her body aching, her mind still reeling from the woman's corrupting influence, felt a wave of weariness wash over her.
The amulet, its light dimming, pulsed softly in her hand, a comforting warmth against the lingering chill.
The woman's words echoed in her mind: "The darkness will return." It was a chilling prophecy, a reminder that the fight was far from over. The shattered obsidian shard, though destroyed, had released a surge of dark energy, scattering its influence across the land.
They knew they couldn't linger. The woman's escape meant she was still a threat, and the lingering shadows of her power could attract other dangers. They needed to warn the others, to prepare for the inevitable return of the darkness.
As they began to leave the clearing, Isla paused, her gaze fixed on the ground. A small, dark shard, a remnant of the shattered obsidian, lay half-buried in the earth. It pulsed faintly, a subtle reminder of the lingering corruption. The fight went on.