The wind whipped against the four Luminaires as they ascended the rugged path. What they walked on was no longer solid ground but a treacherous terrain of loose stones and jagged rock fragments. Each step was a struggle, every movement requiring careful balance to avoid slipping on the unstable surface.

The trees stood as majestic and unyielding as ever, but their crowns had thinned, and their bark was now marred with scars from the relentless elements.

There was no way to avoid the flying debris. Sharp stones pelted them, carried by the fierce wind, leaving small cuts across every inch of exposed skin. Each step forward was met with resistance, yet they pressed on.

The incline had grown so steep that walking alone was no longer enough. They were forced to use their hands to steady themselves, gripping at rocks and exposed roots to keep climbing.

"Persist. We will soon reach the top of the mountain. From there, things will get easier."

Torin's voice was low, yet it carried clearly through the howling wind. It was a poor attempt at lifting their morale, but both Malric and Selene's eyes shone slightly with newfound determination.

Kael remained indifferent.

The last few days had been draining, even for him. The closer they got to the top, the stronger the wind became. What had once been occasional at the mountain’s base had grown into relentless waves of wind, striking them with increasing frequency.

Now, this close to the peak, the wind never rested. It howled around them, unyielding, constantly harassing their every step.

Each of the members raised an arm in front of their face, shielding themselves from the wind. Only Torin remained still, unaffected.

Though they were all Luminaires and the storm wasn’t life-threatening, the relentless wind drained their stamina at an alarming rate. Their battle strength was at an all-time low,a vulnerability that, in the wrong circumstances, could turn truly dangerous.

Kael’s struggle increased as the wind picked up, not just against the harsh conditions, but against the urge to not rely on his Luminaire physique.

A Luminaire’s physical body was enhanced, stronger than that of a mortal, making it a challenge to resist the wind’s force without revealing his true nature. A Luminaire could endure this storm and emerge nearly unscathed, while a mortal would be battered and struggling to push forward.

To maintain the act, he carefully timed his movements, letting his hand slip away from his face just enough for larger pieces of debris to strike him. The sharp edges tore deep wounds into his skin, blending him further into the struggle.

Hours passed. Kael’s muscles began to show signs of fatigue as he pulled himself up another ledge, his fingers gripping the cold, unsteady rock. The relentless strain made every movement feel heavier, and even breathing had become a conscious effort.

While he was fully engulfed in maintaining his acting, he felt the slope slowly starting to even out. The ground beneath them hardened, the shifting rocks giving way to solid stone.

Kael slowly lowered his arm from his face, allowing himself to take in the scene before him.

An open expanse stretched out for nearly half a kilometer, a stark contrast to the treacherous climb behind him. The ground was mostly flat, but massive boulders lay scattered across it, remnants of the mountain’s slow erosion. In some places, jagged rock formations jutted toward the sky like frozen spears, as if competing to see which could reach the highest.

Towering trees stood among the stone, their thick trunks rooted deep in the earth, their branches swaying gently despite the wind’s force. Amid the living giants, fallen trees lay motionless, their bleached and broken remains telling silent tales of past storms. The vast space carried an eerie stillness, untouched yet shaped by time itself.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Torin's steps came to a halt, and the three Luminaires instinctively stopped as well, their attention shifting to him.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the group, lingering on Kael for the briefest, almost imperceptible moment before shifting away. Without another word, he lifted a hand and gestured toward a massive, jagged rock poking out from the mountainside.

"We’ll rest here for an hour before continuing."

Malric and Selene let out relieved sighs. They were confident they could keep pushing forward, but a break was more than welcome.

Kael exhaled as well, allowing himself a moment of relief. He knew he could endure, just as they could. But a mortal? He wasn’t so sure. If he was going to maintain the act, he would have to make the most of this pause.

They soon closed in on the rock, each of them settling into place. One by one, they leaned their backs against its rough, weathered surface, their bodies finally allowed a moment of rest. Kael’s breaths came heavy and frequent, his chest rising and falling.

Malric rolled his shoulders, stretching his legs out with a quiet groan, while Selene closed her eyes for a moment, her head resting lightly against the stone. The air was still, aside for the occasional whistle of wind passing through the open space.

Torin, however, remained standing, completely unfazed by the long and treacherous journey. His posture was composed, his expression firm as he flipped open his notebook. The wind tugged lightly at his hair, shifting it ever so slightly, but he paid it no mind. His focus was elsewhere, his gaze fixed on the pages before him, as if the world around him had ceased to exist.

There was no wood around to create a fire, all of it blown away by the wind so they only sat there resting in still silence, before it was broken by voice.

"How much further will we have to walk today?"

Malric’s question hung in the air, spoken aloud but not directed at anyone in particular, but Torin answered almost immediately.

"Not too much longer. We’ll walk for a few more hours after we’ve caught our breath."

Selene shot him a confused, almost questioning look.

‘We?’

He stood there, completely composed, as if the exhausting climb had been nothing more than a leisurely walk. His breathing was steady, his posture unchanged, his expression unreadable. It was as if fatigue didn’t touch him at all.

‘Is he even human?’

The thought crossed her mind before she could stop it.

Before they knew it, an hour had already passed. The short break had done them good—each of them felt noticeably better, the exhaustion no longer weighing as heavily on their bodies. They were ready to move again.

Just as they began to stand, Torin’s calm voice interrupted.

“Wait a little longer.”

The group exchanged glances but didn’t question it. A few extra minutes of rest wasn’t something they were going to complain about. They sat back down without hesitation.

Not long after, Torin raised his arm. In the distance, a small black dot appeared against the sky, steadily growing larger as it approached. Before long, a black raven swooped down, slowing its descent before landing smoothly on Torin’s outstretched arm. It shifted its talons once, adjusting its balance, before going completely still.

Torin met its gaze.

And then, nothing.

He stood there, motionless, unreadable. The wind howled around them, but Torin didn’t so much as blink. The bird’s beady black eyes reflected his face back at him, its gaze unbroken.

A long, silent moment passed.

Malric shifted his weight slightly, casting a glance at Selene. She said nothing, but her fingers curled subtly against the rock at her side. Even Kael, who had been watching with detached interest, sharpened his gaze. His deep green eyes lingered on Torin, studying him carefully.

Then, slowly, Torin’s expression darkened.

just the faintest shift in his gaze, a slight tightening of his jaw.

The change was subtle, but it caught everyone’s attention. Torin rarely showed emotion, and for him to do so now, under these circumstances, was anything but a good sign.

Torin and the raven held each other’s gaze for a moment longer before the bird flapped its wings and disappeared into the sky. As soon as it was gone, Torin turned to face the three Luminaires, his expression unusually firm.

“Daire, stay here. Do not move under any circumstances unless your life is in danger. Malric, Selene, you’re coming with me.”

Without another word, he turned and began walking toward a direction only he seemed to know. Malric and Selene exchanged glances, their expressions sharpening with understanding before quickly following him.

Kael remained where he was, his gaze deep as he watched them go, his expression unreadable. Thoughts and speculations raced through his mind, piecing together possibilities, searching for the reason behind Torin’s sudden shift.