Chapter 291 Shadow Of The Queen

• The Heartlands lay ahead, a foreboding stretch of land that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The very air felt heavy, laden with an oppressive energy that seemed to drain the strength from their bodies. The jagged cliffs rose before them, casting long shadows over the cracked earth. Despite the desolate beauty of the landscape, there was an unmistakable sense of forewarning that settled in the pit of their stomachs.
• Ariella could feel it most acutely, the weight of the Heartstone thrumming against her chest, as though it was calling to something—or someone—far beyond their reach. The closer they got to the Queen’s domain, the more restless the stone became, as if sensing its proximity to its dark creator.
• “Stay sharp,” Zara murmured, her voice low but urgent. She had become the most vigilant of the group, eyes constantly scanning the horizon, aware of the unseen dangers that lurked just beyond sight. Her words echoed the tension that had settled over them all. This was the threshold. The point of no return.