A soft breeze picked up around them, and Naomi glanced at the gathering crowd.
Some of the civilians had grown restless, whispering anxiously. Others still stood frozen, watching the gate like it was a window into a nightmare they didn't understand.
Elias sighed, rubbing his neck as if the weight of the situation had physically settled there. "You're right. We'll hold out a little longer. But... if they don't come back soon, we'll have to initiate contingency measures. We've already lost too many… I got info that a member of the White Comets, Alister Hazenworth, has a dragon that can close these gates."
Naomi's eyes softened. She understood the necessity of it, but it still felt like betrayal.
"I won't give up on them," she said firmly. "Not while Arden's in there."
Elias gave a resigned nod. "I just hope you're right. We don't have much more time."
