The first rays of dawn painted the horizon in a mixture of amber and gold, making the mountains appear almost ethereal. Birds flew overhead, their silhouettes sharp against the golden canvas, while the retreat of the previously menacing purple waters lent a tranquil atmosphere to the start of their journey.
Johan, always alert, squinted at the path that lay ahead. His boots crunched against the gritty rock as they began their descent, every so often the gravel slipping beneath his feet.
'Wonder how many idiots have tried this path and never returned,' Johan mused, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Danny, observing the descent, voiced his concern. "You sure about this, Johan? It's a pretty steep drop."
"We've faced worse, haven't we?" Johan replied, trying to sound confident. "Let's just keep our eyes on that monolith and move."
