The group continued forward with the remnants of dawn clinging to the horizon as they went through the thick forest. The track went uneven, crested by roots and jagged stones, but one of them did not falter. Shadows that belonged in the Abyss seemed to creep into every corner of the land, and though their resolve was strong, an unspoken tension lingered.
Ryu kept Voidfang close to himself; its weight was a reminder of the power it held and the burden it carried. The shard in his pouch pulsed faintly, a constant whisper of energy that somehow resonated with the darkness around them.
"We should be nearing Solhaven by midday," Kaelith said, her voice calm but focused. "The town's defenses are solid, and we'll need the respite. But more importantly, it's our next source of information. If there's another gate nearby, someone there might know."