One of the reasons James Island was so fond of this particular mountain was the intricate cave system it held within, which took the form of a tranquil woodland. His own peaceful world.

From the ground entrance to the cliff edge near its top, numerous paths and tunnels led to several grottos and openings; great rooms in a colossal house. The mountain’s interior always seemed vibrantly alive, illuminated by shafts of light and reflections of fireflies from glimmering pools. The mountain felt like a living organism; home to many forms of animals and insects. The chirpings and calls seemed to echo around the trees and tunnels in a mystical manner that enchanted James, the music of the woodland playing only for him. What he liked most was that he'd never seen another person in his mountain home.

Though today he had a guest.

To see someone else in his beloved mountain felt strange at first, though he soon found it a comfort to know there was someone else like him. He hoped the magic of the mountain would bring some kind of peace to the lost stranger, like it did to him.

As he led Evan to the lower levels, through winding pathways and hopping down large rocks, James explained some of the sights and gave his thoughts on the mountain. He noticed his companion traversed the foliage with ease; Evan’s light steps hardly imprinted in the soft earth and made little sound. James couldn’t be sure, but it appeared that Evan’s eyes lightened, or even glowed, in the dimness of the caves. They reminded him of a pair of cat’s eyes in the darkness.

James decided to try and get some answers again, now his companion appeared to be in better spirits. “Evan.”

The Voarn startled at hearing his name.

“Where exactly did you come from?”

Evan turned away in thought. “Far from here, I believe.”

James resisted a laugh at the ambiguity. “What exactly does that mean?”

“Once I learn more of where I am, I can tell you more of where… exactly, I have come from.” Evan sounded troubled at his own words. This must be what it was like for other people to hear James dance around his own unawareness. He found it quite frustrating. Whether the obscurity meant that Evan was unwilling to say where he was from, or unable to, James wasn’t sure.

They continued in silence, stepping down a ledge built into the rock of the mountain that declined into a short tunnel. The rock walls, pocked and scored, glistened in some angles, and James knew they were cold and moist to the touch.

He noticed Evan watching him. When their eyes met, it was clear Evan wanted to say something. Seeing the Voarn’s large, shining eyes close up now, James noticed his pupils were not fully round, but somewhat oval and slanted, reminding him even more of cat’s eyes. When Evan finally spoke, he once again had trouble in choosing his words. “I… you… do you know what awaits us in the godly realms?”

“What’s that now?”

“When we fulfil our life’s purpose, we are accepted into the everlasting light. Under Our Mother’s watch. But that is only once we have lived our one true life, you understand. If we were to take our own life before our given time, the path to Andaano’s Sanctuary will forever be closed to us.”

James had heard similar words before, when he’d visited the Tyken Gavviont’l Church in Avilliana, shortly after beginning a real life in town. The Old Magnobi there spoke of living our lives to their greatest potential, and something about being equal to eternity or facing the Abyss, or some such. He wasn’t sure if the priest had ever mentioned the name Andaano.

“That’s all… mighty interesting,” James said. “Although I don’t quite get what you’re saying there.”

“The hardest Way is the taking of your own life. You understand this?”

“I… okay, I agree.”

“I truly hope so. For we all go through events beyond our control, which can have irrevocable repercussions to the wellness of our souls. Taking your own life is not an answer for having taken another’s. Whatever our purposes for―”

James stopped and stared incomprehensibly at him. “What did you say?”

“The repercussions of events beyond our control. It can be a roadblock―”

“No, no. Taking someone’s life?” His breath had sharpened.

It took Evan several seconds to respond. “Life… in general. It is a blessing. I do not speak of any specific individual.”

“Then what are you saying?” James’s heart raced now; a disturbing feeling twisting his stomach.

Evan sighed sombrely. “If you ever feel like taking your life again, I would like you to know that you have me now to help with whatever ails you. You are no longer alone.”

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James’s throat caught. He took in the stranger’s comforting words, and then realised what Evan was saying. “Oh, no. No, no. I wasn’t gonna jump off the mountain. When we met. I―I was just standing there. I wasn’t gonna take my life.”

Evan’s face was neutral, yet an expression of warmth and understand was behind his eyes. An expression that seemed beyond his young years.

“But thank you for your words, anyway,” James said.

The soothing words reminded him of Tam, who was the source of most of the kind words he’d ever been given. But then, I’m always here to listen to your problems, Isles, as long as you don’t bore me, had a different kind of warmth to it. James could picture the Canthian’s serious eyes, knowing everything about him, saying everything there was to say without words, as Tam was able to do. One of Tam’s most frequent advisory sayings was particularly apt in James’s current situation. You’ll get all kinds around here, Isles. All kinds that can do all sorts of things to a freshling like you. Anyone comes up to you, you dismiss them quick as you can, now. You be polite, mind, but get away from them quick as you can without causing offense. That was Tam’s philosophy for most situations. Keep your head down, work hard, remember your manners, and everything will be okay.

A shrieking bird cried out in the distance, sending a dozen insects scuttling into the undergrowth as they resumed their pace.

“Where can we find your local dial stone?” Evan asked after a while.

James considered this, but was soon sure he had never heard of such a thing. “What’s that then?”

“Your dial stone. An earth stone?” Evan looked confused. “It is a mystical stone used in my land to speak with the planet, to see far away events and help guide our present. Also a way of communicating with the spirits and lost loved ones.”

“Pretty sure we don’t have one of those ’round here.” James’s bewildered voice rose at the thought of such a thing.

“Then how do you seek help to guide your future, or to find enlightenment? What means do you have of communicating with the gods?”

James shrugged. “Some would say a church. Others would say a tavern.” Seeing the Voarn’s troubled look, James felt he needed to say more. “The closest we have to one of these stones is a sat-com. A device that allows us to speak to folk far away. But as far as I know there ain’t anything that can tell us our future.” He thought to make another joke about taverns and finding the truth in the bottom of a beer glass, but thought better of it.

“It appears we are on our own, then,” Evan said thoughtfully.

They soon found that wasn’t the case.

James realised that Evan had stopped further back. He turned to see a look of sheer panic on the Voarn. Evan’s rigid posture made him look like a statue, and for a second James thought he had frozen, though his lower lip quivered under his large front teeth.

“Evan… what’s wrong?”

Whatever trance Evan was in held strong. A soft whimper, almost inaudible, left his lips. Another sound, deeper, further away, could be heard, and James strained to focus on this.

Further down, about ten feet from their ledge, a wide glade led to two opposing tunnels. Trees rumbled at the far end of the clearing; a dull cry carried in the wind and flowed through the tunnels. In all the time James had been through the Volton Woods, he’d only ever heard a sound like that once before, and his heart raced now hearing it again.

They both stood still for a moment; Evan on the verge of saying something. Another rumble sounded, closer this time, shaking the trees and their rocky platform. Somewhere further away, rustling leaves and snapping branches could be heard.

“We need to get away from here,” James quickly said. “Now, Evan. Come. Here.”

James thought he would have to drag him away, before Evan burst to life and followed into the thick overgrowth.

The glade trembled as a fierce roar bellowed and echoed through the caves. Dozens of pattering footfalls and cries of high-pitched yells soon followed the screeching echoes. From his viewpoint, James could see the mass exodus of animals scattering across the clearing below into the right-side tunnel. Pounding foot stomps and heavy, powerful breaths entered the clearing.

A hand gripped his arm, and he turned to see a terror-stricken Evan, his gleaming eyes trembling, though he didn’t dare speak to console the Voarn.

They caught glimpses of the giant beast through the leaves around them. Mottled brown fur, knotted with leaves and twigs, covered the entirety of the colossal creature. James now knew for sure what he was looking at, and his breath caught. His first encounter with the hulking beast flashed in his mind; the moment he first saw it had been forever burned into him.

It now stood on its hind legs, its form resembling a gigantic bear or gorilla, as it spun its great searching head around the clearing. James had read that this beast reached over forty feet, but it seemed larger than that. He considered Evan’s large sword and wondered if the Voarn knew how to use it. Not that it would be much use against this beast, anyway.

A moment of near silence passed as the heavy breathing calmed. The hiding travellers waited, trying to listen to all they could, the wait and calm becoming unbearable. An incredible howl erupted from the beast, battering the glade as loud as a thunder strike. Loose chips of rock and dust fell from the nearest ceiling. The foot stomps began again, heading into one of the tunnels, and gradually became nothing but threatening echoes.

They remained hidden for some time with only the sounds of their quick breaths, before crawling free from the bushes.

Evan appeared greatly shaken as he stood up; a soft breeze billowing his shirt sleeves. James found his own legs were weak. The Voarn looked very young and helpless in that moment, giving James the impression that he was accompanying a small child.

“A Wolden Mother,” James explained. Evan turned to him with unfocused eyes. “The worst you’ll find here. That’s for sure. Though she rarely makes an appearance. Believe it or not, they say she’s harmless to people.” He tried to laugh but his throat caught and he ended up coughing, rubbing his throat with a grimace. “Well, ain’t many people stick around long enough to test that theory, anyhow.”

Evan nodded; his arms wrapped around himself.

“You okay?”

Another nod. “I just…”

“Ain’t heard anything like that before?”

“No.” Evan turned toward the tunnel. “Once before.”

James studied him, though he found no answers within his blank stare. “Did you… did you hear it coming? Before?”

Large brown eyes slowly met his. “I am not sure.”

James’s face twisted in confusion. Surely, he wasn’t as frustrating to talk to as this Voarn was. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get out of here.”