Chapter 221: Chapter 221: The Calm Before the Maelstrom

The wind howled through the narrow pass as Elara, Morgana, Kael, and Arian descended from the treacherous mountains that housed the Valley of Echoes. With the newly acquired relic securely in hand, the group pressed on, their thoughts heavy with the realization that each step brought them closer to the heart of the Abyss's influence. The sky above them was a turbulent gray, swirling with dark clouds that mirrored the unease building within each of them.

Their journey led them into a dense, mist-covered forest. The trees were ancient, their gnarled branches twisted into grotesque shapes. The ground beneath their feet was soft and damp, muffling the sound of their footsteps. The air was thick with moisture, and the scent of wet earth and decay filled their nostrils.

"We should find shelter before nightfall," Morgana advised, her voice cutting through the eerie silence. "This place… it feels wrong."