Once the abomination had been dealt with and the gate taken care of, the effects were immediate.
The corrupted creatures surrounding the skull dome froze in place as their connection to the abomination was severed. One by one, they collapsed. Some crumbled into ash, others fell lifelessly to the ground.
Whatever force had animated them vanished completely, leaving only death and silence behind.
The corruption that saturated the dark valley began to recede. The oppressive ravings thinned, then dispersed entirely. The constant sense of dread that had lingered over the valley weakened, then disappeared, as if a pressure had finally been lifted.
At a certain part of the valley, the serpent guarding the unholy tree turned in the direction of the tomb with shock and fear. It then convulsed once before going still. Its body rapidly decayed, breaking apart into dark residue that scattered, then faded.
