A Shadow Falls

Days blurred into nights. They slept in shifts, their dreams haunted by visions of darkness and despair. Each rustle in the leaves, each snap of a twig, sent shivers down their spines.

Finally, on the fifth day, they reached the ravaged village. The once vibrant fields lay barren, the houses stood in ruins, and an unsettling stillness hung heavy in the air. Julie felt a lump form in her throat as she surveyed the devastation – a stark reminder of the Shadow Weaver's destructive power.

Anya dismounted, her gaze scanning the wreckage. "We need to be cautious," she warned, her voice low and urgent. "The Shadow Weaver's influence might linger."

They ventured into the village, their senses on high alert. The silence was broken only by the crunch of dead leaves under their boots. The air felt heavy, devoid of the chirping of birds or the buzzing of insects.