The journey to the mountains was arduous, a winding path through dense forests and rugged hills. As they climbed higher, the air grew thin, and the trees gradually gave way to rocky terrain. Marcus felt the weight of his mission press heavily on him, but the companionship of his friends and allies—Kira, Victor, and now Aria, the guardian of the streams—kept his spirits high.
"Thorne, the mountain guardian, is known to be unyielding," Aria warned as they neared the cliffside that led to Thorne's domain. "He has guarded these peaks for centuries, drawing power from the rocks themselves. He values strength, resilience, and courage above all else."
"Strength and resilience, huh?" Victor muttered, his eyes narrowed as he surveyed the rocky expanse ahead. "Sounds like my kind of guy."
