The night wore on, the stars twinkling above as Lyra and the stranger rode through the rolling hills and dense forests. The air grew cooler, the scent of pine and damp earth filling Lyra's lungs. She felt alive, her senses heightened as she navigated the darkness alongside the stranger.As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Lyra caught her first glimpse of the mountains. Towering above the landscape, their rugged peaks reached for the sky like giants. The stranger nodded toward the mountains, their eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and trepidation."Eldrida lies within," they said, their voice barely above a whisper. "We'll need to be careful. The mountains are treacherous, and we're not the only ones searching for the city."Lyra nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear as they began their ascent into the mountains. The path grew steeper, the air thinner, and Lyra's horse labored beneath her.As they climbed higher, the landscape shifted, becoming more rugged and unforgiving. Lyra spotted strange rock formations, ancient symbols etched into the stone. The stranger noticed her interest and nodded."Those symbols are warnings," they said. "They mark the boundaries of the city's guardians. We'll need to be careful not to trigger them."Lyra's eyes widened as she realized the magnitude of their quest. She felt a sense of awe and wonder at the ancient magic that protected Eldrida.As the sun reached its peak, casting a golden glow over the mountains, Lyra and the stranger reached a plateau. Before them lay a valley, shrouded in mist and shadow. Lyra sensed that they were close, that Eldrida lay hidden within the valley's depths.But as they gazed out at the valley, Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine. Something was watching them, something that didn't want them to proceed.
