Chapter 48: Chapter 48: The Eastern Stronghold

The journey to the eastern mountains was long and arduous, the terrain growing more treacherous as Draven and his forces pressed deeper into the wilderness. The sky was a constant gray, the air cold and biting as they ascended into the higher elevations. The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks shrouded in mist and shadow.

Draven rode at the head of the column, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. The Lightforged Blade hung at his side, a constant reminder of the power he wielded and the responsibility that came with it. The reports from the scouts had been troubling—this stronghold was unlike anything they had encountered before, and they needed to be prepared for anything.

Aria rode beside him, her expression serious as she scanned the surrounding landscape. "We're getting close," she said, her voice tense. "I can feel the dark magic in the air. It's growing stronger."