Andreas trudged through the thick snow, his feet sinking with every step as he ascended the steep slope. The icy wind stung his cheeks, but he pushed forward. His breath came out in ragged clouds, the air thin and cold.
After what felt like hours, he finally crested the summit. He stood there for a moment, his body heaving as he caught his breath, before lifting his head.
And that’s when he saw it.
His heart skipped a beat, his entire body freezing in place, not from the cold, but from the sheer awe of what lay before him. Vast fields of rolling hills spread out beneath him, each one blending into the next, the soft curves of the earth kissed by sunlight. Beyond the fields, towering mountains jagged the horizon, their snow-capped peaks gleaming in the distance. Rivers snaked through the landscape like silver ribbons, winding through the valleys, shimmering in the light.
It was endless, beautiful in a way that made his chest ache. A world untouched, a place that felt both familiar and distant all at once. The silence was deafening, the only sound was the gentle whistle of the wind.
He stretched his arms out to his sides, closing his eyes and letting the wind wash over him. It wasn’t cold anymore. It was gentle, soft.. For a moment, he forgot everything.
Here, standing at the peak of the world, he felt free.
“Momma… it’s amazing,” he whispered, turning his head to the side.
To his surprise, she was there beside him, standing just as still, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Andreas smiled up at her, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest. She was smiling too, her eyes glistening in the soft light of the sun.
But then he saw it—her smile wavered, her lip shook. Slowly, tears began to stream down her face, spilling onto her cheeks as she stood there, motionless. Andreas frowned, confused.
"Momma?" he asked softly, his voice cracking with concern.
She didn’t respond, her body trembling slightly as the tears flowed faster. Her eyes remained locked on the vast expanse of the world in front of them, but her expression had drained of life. The once serene smile twisted into something hollow.
Andreas’ heart clenched. As he stared, her image began to flicker.
The snow under his feet turned to the hard floor of the room. His body twitched, his vision flickering between the summit and the room.
The wind, once soft and gentle, now carried a strange echo—a distant sound he couldn't place. It sounded like crying.
He looked up at his mother, but the sound of the crying wasn’t coming from her.
“We’re never going to leave this hell,” she muttered.
Andreas flinched, the words piercing through. “What?” he whispered, confused. His mind scrambled, but there was something wrong about the way she spoke—something unsettling. He tugged at her hand, his heart pounding harder.
"Momma, stop. What’s happening?" Andreas tugged again, but her body felt heavy, unresponsive.
“Momma!” Andreas shouted, yelling rising in desperation as he yanked on her arm.
She didn’t move.
“It’s impossible…” she muttered again, her voice so quiet, it almost blended with the wind. "Andreas is going to die here…"
She continued to mutter, her eyes distant, her voice filled with dread.
Andreas' heart pounded in his chest. His vision struggled to keep everything from unraveling, but the sounds of crying—the sobs—grew louder, bleeding into the moment.
"Momma, please," Andreas pleaded. He pulled at her arm, but it was like she wasn’t there anymore. Her body stood, but her soul was gone. His surroundings flickered in and out.
The crying, the despair—he could hear it. The sobs, once distant, now clear as it bled into his ears.
“Momma!” he screamed, but her figure started to fade until everything turned dark.
He could only hear his heart pounding and the faint, desperate echo of crying, dragging him further into the void.
And then, all was still.
***
Andreas’ eyes shot open, his body trembling slightly as he jolted awake. His breaths came in short gasps, but as his vision cleared, the sight of his mother’s soft, concerned gaze looking down filled him with relief.
“How’re you feeling, my love?” she asked, her voice gentle.
Andreas blinked, his mind still shaken. “I’m…okay,” he said slowly, his voice soft. He nestled his head in his mother’s lap, feeling the warmth and comfort of her presence wash over him. As her fingers gently stroked his hair, his tension began to ease.
With her free hand, she waved a book above his head, a playful smile on her lips. "Since you did such a great job today, how about we continue reading that book you’ve been so wanting to finish?"
Andreas' eyes lit up with joy as he sat up quickly. "Yes!" he exclaimed.
"But," she added with a knowing smile, "you have to read it aloud this time. We need to work on your reading skills."
Andreas let out a soft sigh, "Okay, but help me if I get stuck."
His mother chuckled softly. "Of course."
They both cozied up side by side on the mattress, the soft, dim lantern casting a warm glow on the pages as Andreas, his eyes filled with focus, began reading aloud. Occasionally glancing up at his mother for a sign of approval that he’s pronouncing every word correctly, she gives a soft, reassuring smile.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
***
"'Lila, the spirited young woman, dreamt of leaving her village and exploring the vast land. Andor, a young kindhearted, and cure-a-goose man—'"
His mother let out a soft giggle beside him. "Courageous," she corrected, her eyes glowing with warmth.
"Oh," Andreas mumbled, before continuing. "Courageous man, dedicating his life to studying the mountains and the secrets they held within. On the day Andor stumbled upon her village, it was fate that would bring them together. It was not only their love for nature that united them, but also their hearts…"
He paused, whispering to himself, “Wow…” as his eyes trailed across the page, enraptured by the story.
"'I've never seen a valley this beautiful,' Lila whispered as she and Andor stand together at the top of a summit, overlooking the breathtaking view." Andreas paused for a moment, smiling at the thought.
"Andor, taking Lila's hand in his. Their bond grows ever so vastly at just the touch of each other. 'Not as beautiful as you are,' he replies with sincerity." Andreas read the words slowly as the scene unfolded in his mind.
He continued, "'In this enchanting moment, surrounded by the grand-or—'"
Andreas groaned, his brow furrowing. “Momma, how do I say this word?”
His mother smiled gently beside him, resting her hand softly on his arm. “It’s grandeur, sweetie. You’re doing incredible, my love.”
Andreas smiled and nodded, before going back to the page.
“‘By the grandeur of nature, Lila and Andor realized that their journey had not only led them to the heart of the mountains, but to the heart of each other. I want to hold your hand, forever and always,’ Lila uttered.”
His voice faltered slightly as he read the next part, his eyes widening with wonder. “‘Together, they share a tender kiss… a promise that their love would extend far beyond their journeys.’” Andreas blinked in confusion, lowering the book as he stared up at his mother.
“They kissed? What did they kiss?” he asked.
His mother giggled, her laughter light. “They kissed each other, on the lips,” she said, her tone teasing as she ruffled his hair.
“Oh, they kissed because they love each other,” Andreas nodded.
“Yes, sweetie,” his mother said, her smile deepening. “Like how I give you kisses all the time because I love you so, so much. And one day, you'll meet a beautiful girl that you’ll love as well, and give her lots of kisses, too.”
“But I already love you, Momma!” he said earnestly, the idea of loving someone else perplexing.
His mother smiled warmly and leaned down, gently kissing his forehead. “You’ll understand what I mean one day,” she whispered.
She patted his leg softly before standing and walking over to the pile of books stacked in the corner of their room. Andreas watched her sift through the titles, finding another one to read. Sitting there, Andreas couldn’t help but keep thinking about the story they’d just read. He absentmindedly rubbed his chin.
“Their bond growing ever so vastly at just the touch of each other,” he mumbled, his eyes distant.
His mother turned toward him with a new book in hand. "What was that, love?"
Andreas looked up at her, his eyes suddenly bright with an idea. “Momma, Momma! Come here” he called out, springing up from the bed and rushing to the center of the room. His tone was filled with urgency.
His mother blinked in surprise, concern flashing in her eyes. “What’s wrong, Andreas? Is everything okay?”
Andreas nodded quickly, determination clear on his face. “I want to try again—my magic. But different this time,” he said boldly, his gaze steady.
His mother sighed faintly, her brow creased with worry. “You’ve already tried today. We can pick it up when you’re fully recovered. Your mana needs rest." She gave him a playful smile, hoping to redirect his energy. "How about we do some laps around the room instead?”
But Andreas frowned, his determination unwavering. “No, Momma, hold my hand,” he said, extending his right arm toward her, his expression firm.
She hesitated, her concern still lingering. Her eyes darted between his hand and his face, the weight of her worry clear. But Andreas stood there, filled with resolve.
With a soft sigh, she reached out, her fingers shook slightly as they inched toward his hand. Her fingers finally wrapped around his as she held him with a tender, reassuring grip.
***
Andreas gripped his mother’s hand tightly, his small fingers digging into hers with a firm determination. He nodded at her once, then turned to face the wall, his eyes narrowing in focus. Slowly, he extended his left arm, palm facing outward. His fingers, though shuddering, were relaxed, poised.
Blocking out the world around him, Andreas focused inward. The walls of the room disappeared from his mind as he drew his attention to the mana circulating through his body. It was there—he could feel it, like a quiet current pulsing beneath his skin. His senses sharpened, tuning in to the warmth of his mother’s hand, to the faint hum of energy that flowed between them. Every crease, every wrinkle in her hand was clear to him, it gave him strength.
The mana within him stirred, responding to his will. He could almost see it in his mind’s eye, flowing through his veins, threading through every fiber of muscle and tissue like an unseen river. It gathered, pooling in his chest before surging into his arm, then his palm. His hand began to glow faintly with light, a soft, barely visible shimmer.
But it wasn’t enough.
Andreas clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling to the surface. His grip on his mother’s hand tightened, and she winced slightly, though she said nothing. Her thumb brushed over his knuckles in a soothing, silent gesture.
He could feel the doubt creeping in—the fear that he wasn’t strong enough, that he’d fail again. His arm throbbed with the strain, the mana inside it growing thicker, more erratic. The glow from his palm intensified, illuminating the cracks and lines of his skin in a brilliant light. He could feel the pressure building, the mana pulsating like a being inside him, straining to be released.
In a fleeting moment of clarity, he grinned. The fear, the doubt—it fell away. He saw it now. He understood.
The skin of his arm shimmered, becoming almost translucent. He could see the strands of mana flowing beneath the surface, twisting and swirling like threads of energy, intertwining with every muscle and bone. It was alive.
The connection was exhilarating, unlike anything he had ever felt before. It wasn’t just power—this was something greater.
“Free…” Andreas whispered, barely audible.
And in that moment, with a calm, assured breath, he let go.
And everything went black.
***
Time had passed, but Andreas wasn’t sure how much. It felt like mere moments. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, the world around him still hazy. As his vision cleared, he saw his mother’s face above him. She looked down at him, her expression soft, full of relief.
“Momma?” he murmured.
Her smile grew, her eyes gleaming. “Hi, sweetie. You did it…” she said softly, brimming with pride.
Andreas blinked in confusion. "Did what?" he thought. His mind clouded, struggled to grasp what she meant. Then, it hit him—realization swept through him like a jolt. His eyes shot open as he sat up. Glancing at the wall, his breath caught in his throat.
There it was. An icicle, lodged into the wall, the ice shimmering in the dim light.
Andreas felt a wave of emotion well up inside him. Overcome, he collapsed back onto his mother’s lap, tears brimming at the corners of his eyes. He threw his arm over his face, trying to stifle the sobs. "I did it... Momma," he whispered, his voice shaking with disbelief.
His mother looked down at him, her gaze full of warmth. She stroked his hair gently, watching as tears streamed down his cheeks. Her own eyes began to glisten.
But as Andreas wiped away his tears, something inside him shifted. A strange discomfort, an unshakable pressure, crept over him. He felt... seen.
Sitting up abruptly, his body stiffened with sudden adrenaline. His mother placed a hand on his shoulder, alarmed. "Sweetie–"
But Andreas wasn’t listening. His heart raced as his eyes darted around the room, scanning every corner, every shadow.
Then, he saw it.
What he just wasn’t able to register, was now ominously present.
The air grew thick, suffocating as Andreas’ eyes widened in pure shock. His breath hitched, his spine prickled. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Sitting in the dimly lit corner.
Was another human.