บท 7: 7: The Black Ridge
The journey toward the Black Ridge began under a blood-red sky. The sun hung low, its light dimmed as if veiled by the encroaching void. Ashfall led the Wardens across the barren lands that stretched between the fortress and the distant mountains, where the heart of the void was rumored to lie. There was an eerie silence as they rode, the only sounds coming from the rhythmic thudding of their horses' hooves and the occasional rustle of dead grass under the wind.
Ashfall's mind was racing with thoughts of what awaited them. Every step they took was a step closer to the unknown, and though he had fought the void many times, this was different. There was no map to guide them, no strategy to fall back on. All they had was their resolve and the slim hope that they could reach the heart of the void before it consumed them all.
**"How long until we reach the ridge?"** Kera asked, her voice breaking the silence. She rode beside Ashfall, her young face lined with determination, though her eyes betrayed her nerves.
Ashfall glanced toward the horizon, where the dark shape of the Black Ridge loomed. **"By nightfall, if we push hard,"** he replied, keeping his tone even. **"We need to cross it before the void strengthens."**
Kera nodded but said nothing more. She, like the others, understood the urgency. The void was an ever-present force, growing stronger with each passing moment. If they didn't move fast, they would find themselves overwhelmed before they even reached their destination.
As the day wore on, the terrain grew harsher. The air became colder, the sky darker. The ground beneath their horses' hooves was cracked and dry, as though the life had been sucked from it long ago. In the distance, the jagged peaks of the Black Ridge rose like a wall, the path ahead steep and treacherous.
Ashfall called for a halt as they neared the base of the ridge. He dismounted, stretching his tired muscles as the Wardens gathered around him. They had been riding for hours without rest, and though they were weary, there was no time for delay.
**"We'll leave the horses here,"** Ashfall said, his voice firm. **"The path up the ridge is too steep for them. From here on, we'll be on foot."**
The Wardens nodded in understanding, each of them steeling themselves for the climb ahead. They began unpacking their gear, distributing supplies and weapons among themselves. Sable moved quickly, checking on each of the Wardens, ensuring they were physically ready for the next leg of the journey. Her hands were deft and practiced, her face set in a determined expression as she worked.
As Ashfall prepared his own pack, Tides approached him, his eyes scanning the ridge before them.
**"I've heard stories about the Black Ridge,"** Tides said quietly. **"They say it's cursed—that anyone who crosses it is never the same again."**
Ashfall glanced at him, his brow furrowed. **"You believe in curses now?"**
Tides shrugged, his expression grim. **"I believe in what I've seen. And I've seen enough of the void to know that nothing is beyond its reach."**
Ashfall couldn't argue with that. The void had a way of twisting reality, warping everything it touched. If the Black Ridge was under the void's influence, then it was entirely possible that it held horrors they couldn't even imagine.
**"Whatever's waiting for us up there, we'll face it,"** Ashfall said, his voice hardening. **"We have to."**
Tides nodded, his gaze fixed on the ridge. **"Let's hope we're ready."**
---
The climb was brutal. The path up the Black Ridge was steep and rocky, forcing the Wardens to move slowly, their progress hindered by the rough terrain. As they ascended, the air grew thinner, colder, and the oppressive weight of the void's presence became more palpable.
Ashfall led the way, his body protesting with every step. His muscles burned, and his lungs ached from the exertion, but he pressed on. He couldn't afford to stop now. Every second they delayed was another second the void spread further, consuming more of their world.
The higher they climbed, the darker the sky became, until it was almost completely black, as though the void itself had swallowed the sun. A cold wind whipped around them, carrying with it whispers—faint, indistinguishable voices that seemed to come from the very rocks around them.
**"Do you hear that?"** Kera asked, her voice trembling as she paused to catch her breath. She glanced nervously around, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Ashfall nodded, his jaw clenched. He had heard it too. The whispers had been growing louder the further they climbed, though he couldn't make out any words. It was as if the void was trying to communicate with them, or worse—trying to break their resolve.
**"Ignore it,"** Ashfall said firmly. **"It's just the void playing tricks. Keep moving."**
The Wardens continued their ascent, though the whispers never ceased. They seemed to swirl around them, growing louder with every step, filling the air with a malevolent presence that pressed down on their minds. Ashfall could feel it gnawing at the edges of his consciousness, trying to worm its way in, to fill him with doubt and despair.
But he refused to give in. He had come too far to let the void win now.
Finally, after what felt like hours of climbing, they reached the summit of the ridge. The view that greeted them was one of desolation. Beyond the ridge lay a vast wasteland, a barren expanse of cracked earth and twisted, blackened trees. The void had consumed everything in sight, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake.
At the center of the wasteland, far in the distance, Ashfall could just make out the outline of a massive structure—a fortress of sorts, built from dark stone and surrounded by swirling shadows. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, and yet he knew instinctively what it was.
**"The heart of the void,"** Tides whispered, his voice filled with awe and dread. **"It's real."**
Ashfall's stomach churned as he stared at the fortress. This was it. This was where the void's power emanated from, where its ruler—the being that sat on the shadow throne—waited for them.
**"We're close,"** Ashfall said, his voice barely audible. **"But we can't afford to make mistakes now. The void will be stronger the closer we get."**
The Wardens nodded in silent agreement, though the fear in their eyes was clear. They had seen the devastation the void could wreak, and now they were walking into its very heart.
Ashfall turned to Sable, who stood a few paces behind him, her face pale but resolute.
**"Are you sensing anything?"** he asked, his voice low.
Sable closed her eyes, her brow furrowing in concentration. For a moment, there was nothing but silence, the whispers around them fading to a low hum. Then her eyes snapped open, and Ashfall saw a flicker of fear in them.
**"There's something... watching us,"** she said quietly. **"Something powerful. It knows we're here."**
A chill ran down Ashfall's spine. He had expected the void to resist them, but the idea that it was actively aware of their presence—that it was waiting for them—made his skin crawl.
**"We need to keep moving,"** Ashfall said, his voice tight. **"Stay close, and don't let your guard down."**
The Wardens descended the ridge, their steps cautious as they made their way into the wasteland. The air grew heavier with each passing moment, the whispers growing louder until they were no longer just faint murmurs but distinct voices, taunting, mocking, promising doom.
Ashfall kept his eyes fixed on the fortress in the distance, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the void's presence pressing down on him, trying to crush his spirit, but he wouldn't let it. Not now.
As they crossed the barren land, a shadow passed over them, swift and silent. Ashfall's hand flew to the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the sky, but there was nothing there.
**"What was that?"** Kera asked, her voice trembling.
Ashfall didn't answer. He didn't know. But he had a sinking feeling that they were not alone in this wasteland. Something was hunting them—something born of the void, lurking just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to strike.
They pressed on, their pace quickening as the fortress drew nearer. The whispers became deafening, a cacophony of voices that clawed at their minds, filling them with fear and doubt. But still, they moved forward, driven by the knowledge that this was their only chance to stop the void.
As they neared the fortress, Ashfall caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. He spun, his sword drawn, but again, there was nothing.
**"It's toying with us,"** Tides muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon. **"The void is trying to wear us down."**
Ashfall nodded, though his eyes never left the fortress. **"Let it try. We're almost there."**
The entrance to the fortress loomed before them, a massive gate of dark stone, flanked by statues of shadowy figures. The air was thick with the void's presence,
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