Chapter 264. Echoes of Home

The dusty landscape stretched endlessly before us, a barren expanse bathed in the reddish glow of an otherworldly sky. The air was thick with the scent of sand and stone, and the atmosphere carried a sense of isolation that weighed heavy on my shoulders. In the distance, perched atop a towering cliffside overlooking a restless sea, a grand, fortress-like castle came into view. It's dark stone walls rose high, imposing and formidable, with battlements and spiked extensions lining the tops of its structures. The architecture was rugged, highlighting both strength and age, and it appeared well-defended, with guards stationed at the entrance of the winding, steep path leading up to its towering walls.

The castle seemed to watch over the expansive sandy landscape that stretched to the horizon. The reddish sky cast warm, golden shadows on the fortress walls, emphasising its rugged, defensive design against the arid environment. The sea below churned restlessly, it's dark