As they descended into the valley, the air grew thick with an otherworldly mist. Lyra's senses were on high alert, her eyes straining to pierce the veil of fog. The stranger rode beside her, their gaze darting between the trees.The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft crunch of gravel beneath their horses' hooves. Lyra felt like they were being watched, the weight of unseen eyes pressing down upon her.Suddenly, the stranger reined in their horse, their head cocked to one side. "Do you hear that?" they whispered.Lyra strained her ears, and then she heard it too – a low, mournful sigh that seemed to come from all directions at once. The sound sent shivers down her spine."What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.The stranger's eyes locked onto hers, their expression grim. "The whispers of the valley. They're warning us away."Lyra's grip on her horse's reins tightened. "What do they mean?"The stranger's gaze flicked around the valley, their senses on high alert. "I'm not sure, but I think we're getting close to Eldrida. We need to be careful."As they continued deeper into the valley, the whispers grew louder, more urgent. Lyra felt like she was being pulled toward something, a force drawing her closer to the heart of the valley.Suddenly, the mist parted, revealing a massive stone door hidden behind the fog. The door was adorned with ancient symbols, glowing with a soft, ethereal light.The stranger's eyes widened as they gazed at the door. "This is it," they breathed. "This is the entrance to Eldrida."Lyra's heart pounded in her chest as she gazed at the door. What secrets lay beyond? Would they be able to unlock the door and claim the knowledge and power that lay within?
