The journey stretched before them like a desolate wound on the face of the world. Gone were the lush forests and vibrant cities Richard vaguely remembered from his childhood. Now, the land was a wasteland, scarred by the encroaching darkness. Scorched plains stretched towards the horizon, dotted with the skeletal remains of twisted trees and crumbling structures.
They huddled closer for warmth as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, inky shadows across the landscape. They had been traveling for weeks, relying on Evelyn's enchanted maps and the meager rations they had salvaged from the ruined chamber.
"Are we sure we're on the right path?" Victor grumbled, pulling his worn cloak tighter around him.
Evelyn, her face etched with fatigue, studied the map by the dying embers of th
