The morning sun cast long shadows as the group made their way through a narrow mountain pass. The air was thick with tension, a weight that seemed to grow heavier with each step.
Haruki took the lead, his senses on high alert. It was the first time Kaede had trusted him with such responsibility, and he was determined not to let her down.
“You’ve got this,” he muttered to himself, gripping his dagger tightly.
Behind him, Kaede watched his movements like a hawk, her sharp gaze missing nothing.
“Stop micromanaging him, Kaede,” Zain said with a smirk, breaking the silence. “The poor guy’s sweating bullets.”
Kaede shot him a glare. “I’m not micromanaging. I’m supervising.”
“Same thing,” Zain replied, earning a chuckle from Mira.
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THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE
The path ahead forked into two, one route leading into a dense forest and the other up a steep incline. Haruki crouched to examine the ground, searching for any clues.
“These tracks,” he said, pointing to a set of faint footprints leading into the forest. “They’re fresh.”
Kaede knelt beside him, her expression unreadable. “Good eye. But the incline gives us a better vantage point. What do you think?”
Haruki hesitated, feeling the weight of her question. “The forest is risky—too many places for an ambush. The incline might be harder, but it’s safer.”
Kaede studied him for a moment before nodding. “Alright. We take the incline.”
As they began their ascent, Haruki felt a small swell of pride.
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AN UNSEEN ENEMY
Halfway up the incline, the air grew colder, the wind biting at their exposed skin. Haruki noticed something odd—a faint hum, barely audible over the wind.
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“Do you hear that?” he asked, pausing.
Kaede tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. “It’s coming from up ahead.”
The group moved cautiously, their weapons at the ready. As they rounded a bend, they found themselves face-to-face with a strange sight.
A series of crystalline structures jutted out from the ground, glowing faintly with an eerie blue light.
“What the hell is this?” Zain muttered, stepping closer.
“Careful!” Kaede snapped, but it was too late.
The moment Zain touched one of the crystals, the ground beneath them began to tremble. Cracks spread across the ice, and a deafening roar echoed through the pass.
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THE BATTLE OF THE FROST WRAITH
A massive creature emerged from the ice, its body a swirling mass of frost and shadow. Its glowing eyes locked onto the group, and it let out another roar, sending shards of ice flying in every direction.
“Form up!” Kaede shouted, drawing her sword.
Haruki found himself next to her, his heart pounding. “What is that thing?!”
“A Frost Wraith,” Kaede said grimly. “Stay close and aim for its core!”
The battle was chaotic. Mira’s arrows bounced off the creature’s icy exterior, while Zain’s sword strikes barely left a scratch.
Kaede charged in, her blade glowing with the faint light of a rune. “Haruki, cover me!”
He didn’t hesitate. Darting in and out of the Wraith’s reach, he threw his dagger at one of its glowing eyes. The distraction gave Kaede the opening she needed to strike at its core, her sword shattering the ice with a powerful blow.
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A NARROW VICTORY
The Wraith let out a final, ear-piercing scream before disintegrating into a cloud of frost. The group stood in silence, their breaths visible in the frigid air.
“That... was intense,” Zain said, leaning on his sword.
“You think?” Mira replied, her voice trembling.
Kaede sheathed her sword, her expression as unreadable as ever. “Good work, everyone.”
Haruki met her gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Even me?”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Even you.”
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THE MAP’S SECRET
As they regrouped, Mira noticed something etched into one of the remaining crystals.
“Hey, look at this,” she said, tracing her fingers over the markings. “It’s a symbol—like the one on the map.”
Kaede examined it closely, her eyes narrowing. “It’s a marker. We’re on the right path.”
Haruki couldn’t help but grin. “Guess that means I didn’t screw up after all.”
Kaede glanced at him, her expression softening just slightly. “You did well, Shima. But don’t let it go to your head.”