The wind howled as the group pushed deeper into the mountains. Snow began to fall, light at first, but soon thickened into a swirling storm that turned the path into an icy death trap.
“Great,” Zain muttered, tugging his cloak tighter around himself. “As if the assassins weren’t bad enough, now we have to fight the weather too.”
Kaede shot him a glare. “If you have time to complain, you have time to scout ahead.”
Zain rolled his eyes but moved forward, muttering something about taskmasters under his breath.
Haruki trudged alongside Kaede, his boots crunching in the fresh snow. The tension between them was palpable, though neither spoke. He stole a glance at her, her face unreadable as she scanned their surroundings.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said finally, breaking the silence.
Kaede didn’t look at him. “Focus on your footing, Shima. This terrain isn’t forgiving.”
Haruki frowned but didn’t press further.
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A HIDDEN THREAT
Hours passed, the storm showing no signs of relenting. The path grew narrower, forcing the group to move in single file. The snow muffled their footsteps, but it also masked any sounds of danger.
Kaede raised a hand, signaling a stop. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the ridges above them.
“What is it?” Mira whispered, her bow already in hand.
Kaede didn’t answer. Instead, she drew her sword, the sound sharp and deliberate.
Haruki’s heart raced as he followed her gaze. At first, he saw nothing but snow and rock. Then, movement—shadows flitting across the ridges, barely visible against the storm.
“Ambush,” Kaede said, her voice low. “Get ready.”
The attackers came swiftly, sliding down the slopes with practiced ease. They wore dark cloaks like the mercenaries from before, but their movements were faster, deadlier.
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KAEDE’S FURY
Kaede charged forward, meeting the first attacker head-on. Her blade sang as it clashed against theirs, sparks flying in the cold air.
“Haruki, stay back!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Haruki hesitated, his dagger feeling useless against such skilled opponents. He glanced at Mira and Zain, who were already engaged in their own battles.
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Before he could decide, one of the cloaked figures lunged at him. Haruki barely managed to block the strike, the force of it knocking him backward.
“Damn it,” he muttered, scrambling to his feet.
Kaede’s voice rang out again. “Focus, Shima! You’re no good to us dead!”
The scolding stung, but it snapped him out of his panic. Gritting his teeth, Haruki dodged the next attack and retaliated with a clumsy but effective strike. The attacker stumbled, giving him just enough time to retreat toward Kaede.
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A COSTLY MISTAKE
The fight raged on, but the group was outnumbered. Kaede’s movements grew sharper, more reckless, as she tried to protect the others while fending off multiple attackers.
“Kaede!” Haruki shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.
“I’m fine!” she snapped, though her breathing was labored.
Haruki’s eyes widened as he saw an attacker closing in on her blind spot. Without thinking, he lunged forward, his dagger aimed for the assailant.
The blade found its mark, but Haruki’s momentum sent him tumbling into Kaede. They hit the ground hard, snow spraying around them.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Kaede yelled, shoving him off her.
“I was trying to help!” Haruki shot back, his voice cracking.
Kaede’s glare could’ve melted the snow around them. “I told you to stay back!”
Their argument was cut short as another attacker charged toward them. Kaede moved instinctively, pulling Haruki to his feet and pushing him behind her.
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AFTERMATH AND ANGER
When the last attacker fell, the group regrouped, their breaths visible in the freezing air.
“That was too close,” Mira said, wiping blood from her cheek.
“No thanks to him,” Kaede muttered, glaring at Haruki.
Haruki flinched. “I was just trying to—”
“Trying to what? Get yourself killed?” Kaede’s voice was sharp, cutting deeper than her sword ever could.
“Enough,” Zain said, stepping between them. “We’re all still standing. Let’s focus on that.”
Kaede turned away, her shoulders tense. “We need to keep moving. The longer we stay here, the more vulnerable we are.”
Haruki’s fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to say something, to defend himself, but the words wouldn’t come.
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AN UNEASY NIGHT
They found shelter in a small cave, its walls providing some respite from the storm. The fire crackled weakly, its warmth barely reaching the edges of the space.
Kaede sat apart from the others, sharpening her sword in silence.
Haruki sat by the fire, staring into the flames. Mira and Zain exchanged glances but said nothing, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.
Finally, Haruki stood and walked over to Kaede. She didn’t look up as he approached.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Kaede paused, her grip tightening on the sword hilt. “You don’t need to apologize. You just need to listen.”
Haruki swallowed hard. “I was scared. I didn’t want you to—”
“To what?” Kaede interrupted, her voice soft but icy. “Die? That’s a risk we all take every time we step out here. If you can’t handle that, then maybe you don’t belong on this team.”
Her words hit like a punch to the gut. Haruki’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. He turned and walked back to the fire, the weight of her disappointment heavier than any wound.
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THE MAP’S WARNING
As the fire died down, Kaede finally spoke, her voice breaking the heavy silence.
“That symbol on the map,” she said, her eyes fixed on the parchment in her hands. “It’s not just a warning. It’s a challenge.”
“What kind of challenge?” Mira asked.
Kaede’s gaze darkened. “The kind where failure isn’t an option.”
Haruki looked up, determination flickering in his eyes despite the lingering sting of her words. “Then we won’t fail.”
Kaede glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “We’ll see.”