The fortress gates closed behind them with a heavy, final thud, sealing off the cold and ancient atmosphere that had permeated the place. Outside, the harsh desert greeted them once again, its unforgiving sun blazing down on the sand as if to remind them that the challenges of the fortress were only the beginning.
Elara shielded her eyes from the sun's glare as she surveyed the landscape before them. The sense of urgency weighed on her, but the Heartstone's steady pulse in her hand provided a small measure of comfort. It was a reminder of the task ahead and the power they had been entrusted with.
"We know where to go," she said, her voice steady. "The first location is north, beyond the mountains."
