The trio departed the shattered village before dawn, leaving behind whispers of gratitude and hope. Their journey pressed onward through the dense forests and jagged cliffs that bordered the Shadow Shard's influence. The further they traveled, the darker the atmosphere became, as if the land itself recoiled from the corruption spreading through it.
By midday, they reached a plateau overlooking a vast canyon, its depths obscured by an unnatural mist. The air shimmered faintly, as though reality itself bent and wavered.
Elara stepped forward, the crystal in her hand faintly pulsating. "This is it," she said, her voice firm. "The next shard is down there."
Thorne squinted at the mist below. "Looks like a trap if I've ever seen one. No visibility, unstable ground—perfect conditions for an ambush."
