Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Into the Depths

The mist grew thicker as they climbed higher, clinging to their skin and obscuring everything beyond a few paces. Each step felt heavier, the air colder and thinner as they ascended into the heart of the Blackspire Mountains. The creatures had retreated, their guttural growls fading into the distance, but Elara knew they were not safe. Whatever lurked in these mountains had only begun to reveal itself.

"We're getting close," Morgana had said before they left the fortress. Elara clung to those words now as the path narrowed, winding between jagged cliffs and sharp rock formations that seemed to claw at the sky. But as close as they were, Elara couldn't shake the growing sense of dread that gnawed at her. The wraiths had been the least of their concerns; she was sure of that now.