After a few days on the road, Kazuki and his companions found themselves at the foot of the Silvervale Mountains—a range known for its treacherous paths and unpredictable weather. As they looked up at the towering peaks, Serena glanced at Kazuki, eyebrows raised.
"Are you sure about this path?" she asked, half-jokingly. "I've heard the Silvervale Mountains are practically cursed with bad luck."
Kazuki grinned, trying to stay confident. "Oh, come on, a little mountain breeze won't scare us, right?"
Leo, clutching his staff a bit tighter, muttered, "It's not the breeze I'm worried about."
As they climbed higher, the landscape transformed, with snowy peaks and jagged rocks replacing the gentler hills and valleys they'd passed. The air grew colder, their breaths visible in little white clouds. Lyra wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, eyeing the path warily.
Halfway up, Arlen decided to break the silence. "I heard they've got giant eagles up here that can swoop down and carry people off. And, of course, there's the infamous Silvervale wolves," he added, clearly enjoying spooking the others.
Lyra rolled her eyes, though she kept glancing over her shoulder. "Remind me why we let you tell stories again?"
Arlen grinned. "Because my stories keep things interesting! Besides, it's all true, or at least I heard it from a guy who said his cousin knew a guy—"
Before he could finish, the ground beneath them shifted slightly. A few pebbles rolled down the mountain, disappearing into the mist below.
"Alright, enough with the horror stories, Arlen," Kazuki chuckled, though he instinctively tightened his grip on Voidrender.
As they continued, the mist thickened, making it harder to see more than a few feet ahead. Suddenly, a deep, resonant growl echoed from somewhere up ahead. The team froze, their eyes darting around.
Leo whispered, "Please tell me that's just the wind."
Lyra unsheathed her dagger, her eyes narrowing. "Not unless the wind has claws and teeth."
The growling grew louder until, out of the mist, emerged a massive creature—a wolf, but unlike any they had seen before. Its fur was silver, blending into the mist, and its eyes glowed with an eerie blue light.
Kazuki held up Voidrender, the blade reflecting the wolf's gleam. "Well, looks like we're making new friends."
As the wolf lunged forward, Kazuki leapt to meet it, the two clashing in a burst of energy. The wolf was strong, but Kazuki's strength held firm. The others leapt into action as well, Serena slicing at its side while Leo threw a burst of fire at its paws, forcing it back.
Arlen, wide-eyed, shouted, "I take it back! I don't want my stories to come true!"
Kazuki chuckled mid-battle. "Too late!"
With a final swing, Kazuki struck the creature, his blade hitting its mark. The wolf gave a final growl before disappearing into the mist as if it were made of smoke. Silence returned, and the mist began to clear, revealing a narrow, winding path up ahead.
Breathing heavily, Leo adjusted his cloak. "Is it just me, or did that thing disappear into thin air?"
Serena shrugged. "It's Silvervale. I'd be more surprised if it didn't have ghost wolves."
Kazuki laughed, leading them forward. "See, guys? We're just fine. Just a little exercise!"