Emily leaned against a frost-covered tree, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. The run through the snow had left her muscles burning, but the deeper ache, the one she couldn't shake, was the pull of the Abyss. It was like a whisper at the back of her mind, a constant reminder of the power that lingered just out of reach, waiting for her to give in.
Mira collapsed beside her, her staff clutched tightly in her hands, her face pale from exhaustion. She glanced at Emily, concern etched into her features. "We can't keep doing this, Emily. We can't outrun him forever."
"I know," Emily replied, her voice rough. "But we're not ready to face Kallan again. Not yet."
"We need more than just rest," Mira said, shaking her head. "We need a plan. Something that gives us a fighting chance. He's using the Abyss, Emily, and it's only a matter of time before he comes at us harder. And those shadow-creatures… They're not just illusions. They're feeding off the Abyss itself."
