The forest thickened as the density of the trees increased.
They were going deeper into the forest, as a sense of weight hung over the woods ahead.
What they were walking towards wasn't just ancient history but something deeper and older.
They could tell—the ruins were close.
Raven's group moved in tight formation, Lia walking ahead with Clara, who had Nibbles on her shoulder, pointing the way, beside her, their eyes sharp and steps fast.
The others kept close, wary of the thick, corrupted mist beginning to roll from the direction of the ruin's heart.
This area was supposed to be corruption-free—after all, it was far from the Ashen Expanse—but they could sense some corruption.
But before they could make it further, the mist surrounding them parted.
Steel glinted in the distance. Rows of armor. Shields planted in the earth. A line of soldiers—easily more than half a battalion—stood waiting in the narrow pass ahead.
