Chapter 2 The journey begins

The sun had barely risen over the horizon when Eira, Thoric, and Ryker gathered at the town's gate, their gear packed and ready for departure. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and roasting meats. Eira felt a sense of excitement and trepidation as she shouldered her pack. "Ready to do this?" Thoric asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Eira nodded, her ponytail bouncing behind her. "Let's get moving. We've got a long journey ahead of us." Ryker led the way, his rugged boots kicking up dust as they left the town behind.

The terrain shifted from cobblestone streets to rocky trails, winding through hills and valleys. Eira marveled at the scenery, taking note of landmarks and potential hazards. As they journeyed, Ryker regaled them with stories of his adventures, from battling giant spiders to outrunning treacherous sandstorms. Thoric chuckled and added his own tales, and Eira found herself laughing and feeling more at ease. However, she couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing but the rolling hills and sparse vegetation. "Ryker, do you think Lyra's group is following us?" Eira asked, her voice low. Ryker's expression turned serious. "I don't know, but we'll be prepared if they are. We've got the best gear and the best team. We'll outrun them if need be." Thoric nodded in agreement. "We've got this, Eira. We've been in tougher spots before." The sun beat down on them, and Eira pulled out her canteen, taking a refreshing sip of water. The landscape shifted, becoming more rugged and unforgiving. Rocky outcroppings jutted out of the ground, and steep cliffs loomed in the distance. As the day wore on, Ryker led them to a small oasis, a natural spring bubbling out of the ground. Eira and Thoric gratefully drank from the cool water, refilling their canteens. "How much farther to the city?" Eira asked Ryker, her eyes scanning the horizon. Ryker consulted the map, his brow furrowed. "We're getting close. Another day's journey, maybe two. We'll reach the entrance to the city soon." Thoric's eyes narrowed. "What's the plan for getting in? We don't know what kind of traps or guards we'll face." Ryker grinned. "Leave that to me. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. We'll get in, and we'll find the treasures." Eira felt a surge of excitement. They were close. She could feel it. As they rested and rehydrated, Eira noticed a figure watching them from a distance. Tall, imposing, and dressed in dark leather armor. Her instincts screamed warning. "Ryker, Thoric, look," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the figure. The figure vanished into the rocks, leaving Eira wondering if she'd imagined it. But she knew she hadn't. "Let's move," Ryker said, shouldering his pack. "We've got ground to cover." As they continued their journey, Eira couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being stalked. She glanced over her shoulder, her senses on high alert. The landscape grew more treacherous, the cliffs looming closer. Eira's heart pounded in her chest. They were getting close to the lost city of Eldarath.

As they journeyed on, the terrain grew increasingly treacherous. Steep cliffs loomed to their left, and a deep gorge yawned to their right. Eira's senses were on high alert, her eyes scanning the rocky outcroppings for any sign of danger. Suddenly, Ryker stopped, his hand raised in warning. "Wait," he whispered. "Do you hear that?" Eira cocked her head, listening intently. At first, she heard nothing but the wind rustling through the rocks. Then, she detected a faint rumbling sound, growing louder by the second. "What's that?" Thoric asked, his voice low and urgent. Ryker's face was grim. "Rockfall. We need to find shelter, now." Eira's heart racing, she scanned the surrounding area. A small cave entrance loomed nearby, partially hidden by a screen of rocks. "There!" she shouted, grabbing Ryker's arm and pulling him toward the cave. The three of them sprinted toward the cave, the rumbling growing louder and closer. Eira's feet pounded the rocky ground, her breath coming in short gasps. They reached the cave entrance just as the rockfall hit, a torrent of boulders and debris thundering down the mountain slope. They ducked inside, covering their heads as the rocks crashed down around them. The cave shook and trembled, dust and debris swirling in the air. Eira coughed, her eyes stinging from the dust. When the rockfall finally subsided, they emerged from the cave, blinking in the bright sunlight. The landscape had changed, the path behind them now blocked by a massive pile of rubble. "Well, that was fun," Thoric said, his face grim. "Looks like we've got a new route to take." Ryker nodded, his eyes scanning the surrounding terrain. "We'll have to go around the rubble. It'll add a few hours to our journey, but it's better than trying to climb over that mess." Eira nodded, her eyes fixed on the rubble. She had a feeling that the rockfall hadn't been an accident. Someone – or something – might have triggered it deliberately. As they set off once more, Eira's senses were on high alert. She knew that they were getting close to the lost city of Eldarath, and she was determined to uncover its secrets. But she also knew that they weren't alone, and that danger lurked around every corner. The sun beat down on them, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain. Eira's canteen was almost empty, and she knew they needed to find water soon. Ryker led them to a small stream, its crystal-clear waters babbling over smooth rocks. As they drank and refilled their canteens, Eira noticed something strange. The stream seemed to be flowing from a specific point, almost as if it was being directed. "Ryker, look at this," she said, her eyes fixed on the stream. Ryker followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing. "That's not natural. Someone's engineered this stream." Thoric's eyes lit up with excitement. "That means we're close to the city. Let's keep moving." As they followed the stream, Eira's excitement grew. They were getting close to the lost city of Eldarath, and she couldn't wait to uncover its secrets. The stream led them to a massive stone door, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. The door was covered in dust and vines, and it looked like it hadn't been opened in centuries. "Welcome to Eldarath," Ryker said, his voice full of awe. "Let's see if we can get inside." Eira's heart pounded in her chest as she reached out to touch the door. They were finally here. The lost city of Eldarath was within their grasp.