The last of the fleeing monsters disappeared into the rocky canyons, their terrified howls fading into the cold night wind. The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of exhausted warriors and the soft crackle of Ignis's dying flames.
The Dark Elves stood among the carnage, their yellow eyes wide with disbelief. Some dropped to their knees, hands pressed to their chests as if to confirm their own hearts were still beating. Others simply stared at the scattered corpses of the monsters that had nearly overrun their home.
"We... we survived," one of the younger warriors whispered, his voice cracking. "The village is safe."
A cheer began to rise, small at first, then swelling as more and more Dark Elves realized the truth. They embraced each other, tears streaming down faces streaked with blood and dirt. Some laughed, the sound hysterical, almost unhinged. Others wept openly, the weight of their fear finally releasing.
