The journey toward the Heart of Equinox began with a grueling pace, the group pushing through uneven terrain and shadowed paths that seemed to close in around them. The remnants of the Shadow Shard's corruption hung in the air, twisting the natural world into grotesque shapes. Trees gnarled into clawed hands, their bark blackened as if scorched by an unseen fire, while the ground beneath them felt brittle and fragile, as though it might collapse into darkness at any moment.
Kade led at the front, his blade unsheathed and ready for any threat that might arise. Morgana walked a few paces behind him, her staff emitting a soft light that pushed back the encroaching gloom. Elara brought up the rear, the relic cradled in her hands. Its dim glow pulsed faintly, almost in sync with her breathing.
"We're nearing Blackstone Ridge," Morgana said, consulting the map etched in the journal. "It'll be a steep climb, but it's the fastest route to the Heart of Equinox."