The northern reaches were as desolate as the rumors suggested. What had once been lush forests and vibrant villages were now barren landscapes, twisted by the creeping influence of the Abyss. As Emily, Alaric, and Mira journeyed deeper into the region, the air itself seemed to shift, heavy with an unnatural stillness that made every breath feel like a struggle.
Emily kept her eyes on the horizon, her senses heightened by the persistent hum of the Abyss within her. The further they went, the stronger the connection felt, as if the darkness was beckoning her forward, calling her home.
"How much farther?" Mira asked, breaking the silence, her bow ever-ready at her side.
Emily consulted the ancient map Kieran had given them, its worn parchment barely holding together. "There should be a village up ahead—what's left of it, at least. If the Abyss is trying to awaken something or someone, it'll be close by."
