The Floating Isles of Aetherion weren't merely a destination—they were a challenge, a proving ground for those daring enough to seek them. Marcus and Elara stood at the edge of a vast expanse of jagged cliffs and swirling winds, gazing up at the distant sky where fragments of land floated like ancient, forgotten relics.
"How exactly are we supposed to get up there?" Marcus asked, shading his eyes against the morning sun. The floating isles seemed impossibly far, shrouded in mist and shimmering with faint magical energy.
Elara glanced at him, her expression a mix of determination and unease. "There are ways. Airships, portals, or..." she trailed off, motioning toward the jagged peaks ahead.
"Or what?" Marcus pressed.
"Climbing," Elara finished.
Marcus groaned. "Of course. Because nothing can ever be easy."
### **The Path to the Sky**
