The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 427

**Chapter 427**

**Ella’s POV**

The expedition to Forgotten Mountain had consumed nearly two full days of our lives, stretching out like an endless tapestry of uncertainty and determination.

Two relentless days spent traversing winding roads that twisted and turned like a restless serpent, each bend revealing new vistas yet deepening my unease. Underneath a vast, star-studded sky, I found myself curled up beside a flickering campfire, desperately trying to keep my mind from spiraling into thoughts of Alexander—trapped within those cold, unforgiving walls of his cell, his fate hanging in the balance.

As dawn broke on the second morning, we finally stood at the base of the mountain, the first light spilling across the horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking hues of pink and gold. It was a sight that should have filled my heart with wonder, yet instead, it felt overshadowed by the weight of my worries, a heavy cloak I could not shake off.

The mountain loomed before us, a towering sentinel that embodied its name; it truly felt like a place that time had forgotten. Thick patches of moss clung stubbornly to the massive boulders, while wild trees and scraggly bushes reached upward, stretching toward the sun as if in a desperate plea. The hiking trail, overgrown and barely visible, seemed to whisper tales of long-gone adventurers who had once dared to tread its treacherous path.

“We really have to climb all the way up there?” I muttered, my heart racing at the daunting height of the mountain. The thought alone sent a chill cascading down my spine, tightening my chest.

Liam, ever the pragmatist, studied the map intently, his brow furrowing in concentration. “Nope. Just to about…” He pointed toward a cliff that jutted out alongside the mountain, dramatically split in half by a roaring waterfall. “There.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry and tight. “That still looks really freaking high up,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Well, it’s either that or let ghosts take over your life,” Liam shot back, his gaze piercing through the veil of my fears. The intensity of his expression made it clear that he grasped the stakes far better than I did.

He was right, much to my dismay. We leaned over the map once more, scrutinizing the narrow, winding path that snaked up the eastern face of the mountain. Alistaire’s notes had indicated that the crystal we sought could be found in a cave hidden behind that very waterfall.

“Let’s hope this isn’t all bullshit,” I said, adjusting the weight of my pack on my shoulders, feeling the familiar surge of determination coursing through me. With a deep breath, I set off, my feet finding their rhythm on the uneven terrain, each step a testament to my resolve.

The ascent was nothing short of brutal. We had paused earlier to gather supplies—crampons, trekking poles, and rope—but even with those, I felt woefully unprepared. The trail was slick with the relentless cascade of water, and as we climbed higher, a biting chill settled into the air, wrapping around me like a shroud. My lungs burned with each labored breath, and my legs screamed in protest, threatening to buckle beneath me.

Yet, I pressed on. For Alexander.

After what felt like an eternity, the thunderous roar of the waterfall became a constant companion, guiding us closer to our destination. As we neared the small inlet marked on the map, the trail curved around the mountain’s eastern face before dipping inward, the anticipation building with every step.

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