Chapter 18: Resting

Chapter 18: Resting

Xander, Lillia, Sophie, and the old man sage had been walking for hours through the twisting tunnels of the Underworld. They were exhausted and in need of rest, but they knew they couldn't stop now. The fate of the Empire rested on their shoulders, and they had to keep moving forward.

Finally, they came to a small chamber with a shallow pool in the center. The old man sage led the way, his staff glowing faintly in the darkness.

"We can rest here," he said, gesturing towards the pool. "The water is cool and refreshing."

Xander and the others gratefully sank down beside the pool, their muscles aching from the long walk.

As they rested, Xander's mind wandered back to the girl he had met earlier, Amara. He had only spoken to her briefly, but her kindness had stayed with him.

He wondered if she was safe, if she had managed to escape the chaos that had engulfed the Empire. He hoped that she was all right, that she was somewhere safe and protected.

As he thought about Ama