Three paths of solid rock lay before Thyssa. Well, one was solid rock. The other two were unstable and would fall to pieces as she crossed. Tricks of the mountain to kill the unworthy.

The inscription had said:

ONLY YOUR MIND’S EYE CAN SEE THE TRUE PATH

This meant nothing to Thyssa. It must have been something humans normally had – a way to keep out the filthy malforms from their precious Fountain. The mountain deigned to judge her, just like everyone else, and when it judged her unworthy, it would kill her.

But Thyssa would not be outwitted by rock. Mind’s eye or not, she would get to the top of Mount Three Trials and drink of its waters like any other human.

She tested the middle path with her foot. It was quite solid. She smiled. She had her own way of finding her way. She gingerly crept along the narrow, winding path.

When she was halfway across, she lost her balance. Her body ignited with fear, her muscles desperately trying to correct her balance before she fell down the mountainside and was dashed to pieces on the sharp rocks below. With great effort, she managed to get her balance again. She took deep breaths before moving forward, before doing anything else. When she felt composed again, she pressed on.

Before long, there was the other side. All three paths converged on it, but only your mind’s eye could tell the true one. Or a sufficiently sensitive foot. She laughed at how easily she had outwitted the mountain.

And then she heard it.

It started with a rumbling, then a sickening crack. Then a crumbling – but Thyssa was already sprinting to the other side. Behind her, huge chunks of rock fell to the ground. She wasn’t going to make it. She pushed herself for one long, desperate leap. She didn’t make it. She screamed and lashed out an arm. She caught a piece of rock jutting out from the other side and gripped it for dear life as her body dangled helplessly below.

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She’d survived, but not for long. The rest of the rock was too smooth to hold, much less climb up. A chill wind howled, like the mountain laughing at the arrogant malform girl who thought herself worthy. Furious, she clung to the rock. If the mountain wanted her dead, it would have to do the job itself, and she wouldn’t make it easy.

“I’m coming!” shouted an unfamiliar voice.

Someone ran towards her. When they drew close, Thyssa saw them. A human. No doubt a perfect one. They had shining dark skin and long, thick hair, all radiant and full of life. Perfect eyes looked down at her from the edge and a perfect hand reached out to her.

It all seemed too good to be true. Another trick of the mountain? Another betraying benefactor? But she could not save herself. She swallowed her fear and reached out her free hand. Her savior’s hand was soft and warm, and it pulled her up with a desperate strength.

When she was nearly over the edge, Thyssa had to let go of the jutting rock now beneath her – placing her fate entirely in the stranger’s. That was the hardest part. She grit her teeth and released, then quickly grabbed the edge. With her strength and the stranger’s combined, she finally got up and touched solid ground.

“You saved me.”

The stranger scratched the back of their head and they smiled. “I guess so.”

“Why?”

“You were…gonna die?”

“You didn’t know I wouldn’t hurt you.”

The stranger laughed. “Are you going to hurt me?”

“No.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” They took a deep breath. “What’s your name?”

“Thyssa.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

“Thanks. I chose it myself.”

The stranger smiled. “I chose Merryway.”

“It’s…a good name.”

“Thanks. I think so too.”

Thyssa felt a sharp pain in her chest.

“Are you okay? Did you get hurt on the cliff?”

“No, it’s…I’m poisoned.”

“What poison? I might know a cure.”

Thyssa shook her head. “The venom of Spiteful Kreit. My only hope now is the Goddess Fountain. That’s why I’m up here.”

“Then we have a common goal! I’m looking for the Fountain too.”

“You’re poisoned too?”

“My mother is.”

Thyssa looked down. “It’s an awful thing, to lose your mother.”

“I’m not going to lose her.”

“You just said she was poisoned.”

“But I’ll find the Fountain. I have faith.”

“You sound so sure.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“It’s strange. I almost can.”

“Then my hope is contagious! And it is all the more well-founded, for you look like quite a strong woman.”

“There will be many enemies. I cannot guarantee your life.”

“If you did, I’d call you a cheat. We’re each other’s best odds, and that’s as much as I want. How about you?”

Thyssa gave a short nod. “Let’s go, then.”