Before anyone could steady themselves, the door to the carriage swung open, and Milner's towering form blocked the faint sunlight. His shadow loomed over them like a menacing omen.
"Out. Now," Milner barked, his voice like gravel scraping against metal.
The old man hesitated, his frail frame trembling uncontrollably. Milner's patience, however, was non-existent. With a growl of irritation, he grabbed the old man by his chains and yanked him out, the brittle figure crumpling to the ground like a broken doll. Next, the beast girl was dragged from her seat, her small, panda-like form barely able to resist as she whimpered quietly.
Yomi, calm as ever, shifted his weight and stepped forward before Milner could grab him. The warrior's piercing storm-like eyes met Milner's briefly, and for a fleeting moment, a flicker of something unspoken passed between them. Milner narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased, but said nothing as Yomi disembarked on his own.
Once outside, Yomi felt a sharp chill bite through the air. The scene that greeted him was both foreboding and alien. They stood at the base of a dark, towering mountain, its jagged peaks clawing at the sky like the fingers of some ancient beast.
Shadows draped the mountain like a tattered cloak, swallowing the light and exuding an oppressive aura that pressed down on the group like an unseen hand. The air smelled of damp earth and faint sulfur, with a metallic tang that lingered at the back of the throat.
At the mountain's base, the terrain was a chaotic blend of cracked stone and sparse, gnarled vegetation, as though life itself hesitated to root itself in such an ominous place. Blackened trees twisted unnaturally, their bare branches reaching out like skeletal arms desperate for escape. A low, eerie hum resonated from somewhere within the mountain, faint but constant, as if the very earth was alive and groaning under its own weight.
"Quite the sight," Thanir sneered, hopping down from the carriage. He dusted his hands theatrically, his grin smug as he surveyed the slaves. "Enjoy the view while it lasts."
The beast girl clung to Yomi's side, her wide eyes darting around fearfully. Her small fingers tightened around the fabric of his tattered sleeve. The old man, though weakened, managed to lift his head, his expression one of grim resignation.
Yomi's gaze, however, was not on his companions but on the mountain itself. His sharp eyes traced every detail—the cracks in the rock face, the faint glowing veins of greenish energy that pulsed intermittently like a heartbeat within the stone. He noted the unnatural mist coiling around its base, thick and almost alive, slithering between the rocks and vanishing into the shadows. This place was no mere mountain. It was a place of power, malevolence, and secrets.
The oppressive energy radiating from the mountain was enough to make anyone falter, but Yomi remained resolute. His storm-like eyes burned with curiosity and calculation. This was no ordinary journey; this mountain held the key to something far greater than what the simple eye met. It was alive—breathing, watching, waiting.
"Move!" Milner's bark shattered his thoughts as the large man shoved him forward, nearly causing him to stumble.
Yomi adjusted his footing, his posture steady, and began walking toward the mountain with measured steps. Behind him, the beast girl and the old man shuffled hesitantly, their chains clinking softly against the ground.
Ahead of them, Raiven stood at the forefront of the Ravagers, his commanding presence radiating authority. His sharp, dark eyes scanned the path ahead as if sizing up the challenge that lay before them. Lirien and Aeloria followed close behind, the former glancing at Yomi with suspicion while the latter seemed more preoccupied with her own thoughts.
"This place reeks of death," Lirien muttered under her breath, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her sword.
"Perfect for us, then," Thanir quipped, flashing her a toothy grin.
The mountain loomed larger with every step, its ominous energy intensifying. The air grew colder, heavier, and the oppressive hum became a low, guttural vibration that seemed to echo within their very bones. Yomi clenched his fists, his calm exterior betraying none of the intrigue—and faint unease—he felt.
****
"Oi, Thanir, we've been walking for almost... aargh!" Milner bellowed, his voice booming through the cold air. His hand gripped his axe tightly as he squinted at the unchanging scenery around them.
"An hour," Lirien interjected with a sigh, equally frustrated as her boots crunched against the uneven terrain. Her sharp gaze flicked to Raiven. "Are you sure this isn't another goose chase like last time?"
Raiven's dark eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening at the insinuation. Before he could reply, Thanir snapped back from the front, turning his head just enough to glare at the two. "Shut the hell up, bastards! I can't work with your constant nagging!" He clutched the map in one hand and a compass in the other, comparing them against the jagged landmarks of the mountain. His irritation was evident, but beneath it was something else—a trace of doubt.
'Something's off,' Thanir thought grimly, his brows furrowed as he scrutinized his surroundings. He had been relying on his unrefined mana to sense the subtle traces of the Abyssal Rift, but for the first time, he felt nothing. It was as if the mountain was mocking him, veiling its secrets just beyond his grasp.
"I'm growing impatient, Thanir," Raiven's voice cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and commanding. His arms were crossed, his expression a mixture of frustration and warning.
"Just give me a second!" Thanir barked, though his tone betrayed his growing unease. Time was running thin, and he knew Raiven's patience was as brittle as dried wood.
Yomi, walking silently amidst the group, observed the scene with an unreadable expression. He could see the subtle signs of strain in Thanir's movements, the way his raw mana sputtered in the air like a failing spark. It was clear to him why the tracker was struggling. A veil cloaked the mountain, an invisible barrier hiding its secrets.
Normally, Yomi wouldn't intervene. He had no loyalty to these people, only a silent plan to one day take their heads. Yet his curiosity gnawed at him, an insatiable itch demanding to be scratched. With a calm breath, Yomi closed his eyes, channeling his Ki outward. It swirled like a predator testing the air, searching for weaknesses.
In an instant, he found it. With precision, he formed his Ki into a needle and pierced the veil. The barrier ruptured, unraveling like a deflating balloon.
"Finally!" Thanir exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he suddenly felt the Rift's presence. He practically sprinted ahead, map forgotten in his haste. The group followed, though Raiven's sharp gaze lingered briefly on Yomi before moving on.
Reaching the mountain's base, Thanir pressed his hands against the rough stone surface. He channeled his mana once more, and this time, the mountain responded. With a low rumble, part of the rock face began to shift, revealing a dark tunnel spiraling downward into the earth.
The group stared in awe as stairs formed from the stone, leading deep into the mountain's belly. Thanir puffed his chest proudly. "See? Patience, you idiots!"
But before he could revel in his moment of triumph, Raiven silenced him with a glare. "Enough. Everyone, get ready. Thanir, check for traps ahead. Milner, get those scum slaves in front. It's time they earn their keep."
Milner grinned darkly, his heavy boots stomping toward the trembling slaves. The time for games was over. The Abyssal Rift awaited.