Seraphina emerged from the shadows, her face etched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. "Elara..." she breathed, her voice trembling. "Are you alright?"

Elara turned, her eyes blazing with a determination that bordered on feverish. "I'm fine," she rasped, her gaze darting around the clearing as if searching for something – or someone.

"Damien..." she whispered, her heart constricting painfully in her chest. "He was here, I know it."

Seraphina's brow furrowed with concern as she placed a gentle hand on Elara's arm. "Elara, the ritual... it was incredibly dangerous. We were lucky to have survived the Demon Lord's onslaught."

Elara whirled on her friend, her eyes wild and...