468 ASHES

As the carriage rolled up the winding path towards the castle, the wheels creaked and groaned in protest against the uneven terrain. The horses' hooves clopped rhythmically on the cobblestones, their breath visible in the crisp air of the approaching evening. The sound of the carriage wheels echoed off the stone walls of the castle, creating an eerie symphony that seemed to forebode the unsettling events that would soon unfold. The setting sun cast long shadows across the landscape, painting the scene in hues of orange and purple, adding to the sense of foreboding that hung in the air.

The usually familiar surroundings felt strange and foreign, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned to look at Ravenna who stared back at me with a look of concern on her face. We both asked ourselves the question that weighed heavily on our mind.

"You don't think he is…"