The morning air was cold and sharp as the group prepared to follow the map’s trail into the mountains. The coiled serpent symbol weighed on everyone’s mind, though no one dared speak of it outright.
Kaede adjusted her sword at her hip, her eyes scanning the path ahead. “Stay alert. If this map is legit, we’re walking into enemy territory.”
Haruki tied his satchel tighter, feeling the bruises from the previous night’s fight. His nerves were still raw, but Kaede’s words from the fire gave him some strength. He glanced at her, walking confidently ahead, and muttered under his breath, “How does she do it?”
Kaede’s sharp ears picked up on his mumbling. Without turning around, she said, “What’s that, Shima? Getting inspired or trying to keep up?”
“Trying to keep up,” Haruki replied quickly, earning a smirk from Mira and Zain.
“Good,” Kaede said flatly. “We’re not stopping for stragglers.”
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THE SERPENT’S WARNING
The trail narrowed as the group entered a winding pass. Sheer rock walls loomed on either side, the occasional boulder forcing them to weave and duck. The air grew colder, and an uneasy silence settled over the team.
Haruki’s eyes flicked to the strange carvings etched into the rocks. Symbols of snakes and daggers wound through the stone, as though warning travelers of what lay ahead.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Mira said, her voice hushed.
Zain chuckled, though it sounded forced. “What’s the matter? Afraid of a few rocks?”
“Afraid of what’s waiting beyond them,” Mira shot back.
Kaede held up a hand, silencing their banter. She crouched low, her eyes narrowing as she studied the ground.
“Tracks,” she said. “Fresh. They know we’re coming.”
Haruki felt his throat tighten. “Should we turn back?”
Kaede stood, her expression resolute. “No. If they’re expecting us, that means they’re protecting something. We push forward.”
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AMBUSHED
They didn’t have to wait long for trouble. As they rounded a bend in the pass, the rocks above them exploded in a shower of dust and debris. Haruki stumbled, shielding his face as figures leapt down from above.
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“Get ready!” Kaede shouted, her sword already in her hands.
The attackers wore dark cloaks adorned with the coiled serpent symbol. They moved with precision, their blades gleaming in the dim light.
Haruki barely had time to draw his dagger before one of them lunged at him. He ducked, his heart hammering in his chest, and kicked out instinctively, sending the attacker sprawling.
Kaede was a blur of motion, her sword cutting through the chaos. She fought with a ferocity that left even the hardened mercenaries scrambling to keep up.
“Haruki!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. “Stay close to me!”
“I’m trying!” Haruki yelled back, dodging another attack.
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KAEDE’S RECKLESS GAMBLE
The fight dragged on, the narrow pass leaving little room for maneuvering. Kaede’s sharp mind worked quickly, assessing the battlefield even as she fought.
“We’re sitting ducks here,” she muttered. Her eyes darted to a cluster of rocks above them. “Haruki!”
He turned toward her, panting. “What?”
“See those rocks up there?” Kaede pointed with her blade.
Haruki nodded, though he wasn’t sure where she was going with this.
“Get up there and push them down. Now!”
Haruki hesitated. “But I—”
“Move!” Kaede barked, cutting down another enemy.
Gritting his teeth, Haruki scrambled up the rocks. His hands slipped on the cold, jagged surface, but he pushed forward, his fear of Kaede’s wrath stronger than his fear of falling.
He reached the top, the cluster of loose boulders looming before him. Glancing down, he saw Kaede surrounded, her movements growing slower as exhaustion set in.
Haruki pushed with all his might, the rocks groaning before toppling over. They crashed down onto the attackers below, scattering them and giving Kaede the opening she needed to strike.
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AFTERMATH
The last attacker fled, his footsteps echoing through the pass. Kaede didn’t chase him, her attention turning to the group.
“Everyone okay?” she asked, her voice steady despite the strain in her expression.
“Barely,” Zain said, rubbing a bruise on his arm.
“Still breathing,” Mira added, though she was leaning heavily on her bow.
Haruki slid down the rocks, his legs trembling as he landed. “Did I do it right?” he asked, his voice shaky.
Kaede studied him for a moment before nodding. “You did good, Shima. Better than I expected.”
Haruki’s face lit up with relief, though he tried to hide it. “Thanks.”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Kaede added, smirking faintly. “You’ve still got a long way to go.”
Haruki chuckled weakly. “Yeah, I figured.”
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THE NEXT CLUE
As they caught their breath, Mira knelt beside one of the fallen attackers, pulling a scroll from his pocket.
“Another map,” she said, holding it up.
Kaede took it, her eyes scanning the parchment. A new path was marked, leading deeper into the mountains to a place labeled “The Serpent’s Altar.”
Her grip on the map tightened. “This isn’t over yet.”
Haruki stepped closer, his nerves still raw but his resolve strengthening. “What do you think is waiting for us there?”
Kaede glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “Something Ragnor doesn’t want us to find. And that means we have to.”