By the time Atheline and Lilith finally emerged from the depths of the cave, the sun had already begun its descent toward the horizon.
The forest surrounding the sanctuary was bathed in warm orange light. Long shadows stretched between the enormous trees, and the evening breeze carried the familiar scent of leaves and flowers through the air. After spending so many hours underground, the open sky felt almost unreal.
Atheline stopped just outside the cave entrance and took a deep breath.
"Fresh air."
Lilith stood beside him, looking toward the distant settlement.
"It feels different after what we saw."
Atheline nodded.
The sanctuary had seemed peaceful when they first arrived; now they understood what that peace had cost.
The fairies living here had inherited a paradise without knowing how many of their ancestors had sacrificed themselves to create it.
