The landscape beyond the enclave was unrecognizable, a twisted reflection of the world we once knew. Trees stood gnarled and blackened, their branches clawing at a sky stained crimson and gray. The earth beneath our feet cracked and groaned, trembling as though it shared the fear of what lay ahead. Every step toward the Veil felt heavier, more deliberate, as if the ground itself resisted our passage.
Raven walked beside me, her bow at the ready, her gaze sharp as she scanned the horizon. Zara and Leif flanked us, each silent but resolute. The bond between us had been forged in fire and shadow, and though none of us spoke, the weight of our shared purpose was tangible.
As we approached the Veil's boundary, the air thickened, charged with an unnatural energy that made my skin prickle. The crystal against my chest pulsed steadily, a rhythmic reminder of the battle to come. Its warmth grounded me, a small comfort against the growing tide of dread.
