The sun blazed high in the sky as Jingwei and Drake pressed forward, their journey stretching into its second day. They trudged through dense forests, their boots crunching against the carpet of leaves, and climbed jagged mountains that seemed to scrape the heavens. The air grew thinner the higher they went, and the silence of the wilderness was interrupted only by the occasional bird cry or the rustling of unseen creatures.
Jingwei clutched an ancient map, the edges worn and frayed. "This thing is older than me," he muttered, squinting at the faded markings.
Drake, carrying a sack slung over his shoulder, chuckled. "You sure you're not leading us in circles, brother? Feels like we've seen that same weird-looking tree five times."
Jingwei paused, looking over his shoulder at Drake. "First off, it's not circles. Second, that tree is unique because it's alive in its way. And third, maybe if someone wasn't stuffing his face every five minutes, we'd be further along!"
Drake smirked, pulling out a chunk of dried meat from his pack and biting into it. "Fuel is essential, especially if I'm supposed to harness 'father's legendary dragon powers.' Can't do that on an empty stomach."
Jingwei sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, eat your 'fuel.' But don't expect me to carry you if you get a stomachache."
They continued for hours, the trail winding higher into the mountains. The path narrowed, forcing them to traverse single-file along precarious ledges. At one point, a loose rock gave way beneath Drake's foot, sending him teetering over the edge.
"Whoa, whoa!" Drake shouted, his arms flailing.
Jingwei spun around, grabbing him by the wrist and pulling him back onto the path. "Careful, idiot! The only dragon powers you'll be using are to fly into the afterlife if you fall."
Drake laughed nervously. "I knew you'd catch me. Brotherly instinct."
Jingwei groaned. "Brotherly instinct might get me killed before we even reach the temple."
By midday, they found themselves descending into a dense forest. Towering trees cast long shadows, their canopies blotting out much of the sunlight. Jingwei examined the map, turning it this way and that.
"This doesn't make sense," he muttered. "We should've reached the crescent valley by now."
Drake leaned against a tree, chewing on another strip of meat. "Admit it—we're lost."
"We're not lost," Jingwei snapped, though his tone betrayed uncertainty. "We're… temporarily misaligned."
"Misaligned? That's what we're calling it now?" Drake teased. He reached into his pack, pulled out a flask, and took a swig. "Well, while you figure out our alignment, I'll stay hydrated."
Jingwei ignored him, stepping into a clearing. He closed his eyes and began to whistle—a soft, melodic tune that echoed through the forest. A few moments later, the underbrush rustled, and a small group of animals emerged: a squirrel with bright eyes, a curious fox, and a bird with vibrant blue feathers.
Drake blinked. "Okay, I didn't know you could summon the forest council."
Jingwei knelt, speaking softly to the animals. "We're looking for the crescent valley. Can you guide us?"
The bird chirped and flapped its wings, darting into the trees. The fox tilted its head before scampering off in the same direction. The squirrel chittered excitedly, running up a tree and disappearing.
Drake folded his arms. "Great. The bird, the fox, and the squirrel know where we're going. Maybe next, we can ask the frogs for directions."
"Laugh all you want," Jingwei said, standing up. "But I trust them more than your terrible sense of direction. Let's go."
The animals' guidance proved invaluable. The bird flitted from branch to branch, leading them through a narrow path that cut through the forest. The fox darted ahead, stopping occasionally to ensure they were following. Even the squirrel reappeared, scampering along the ground as if to urge them forward.
Drake couldn't resist commenting. "You ever think about just moving out here and becoming some kind of forest shaman? You seem to have the gift."
Jingwei smirked. "I'll consider it when this war is over. For now, I'll settle for not getting eaten by whatever lives in these woods."
As they ascended a steep hill, the trees thinned, and the air grew colder. The forest gave way to rocky terrain, and in the distance, they could see the faint outline of a crescent-shaped mountain range.
"We're close," Jingwei said, a hint of relief in his voice. "The temple is at the heart of those mountains."
Drake's usual smug demeanor faded as he gazed at the towering peaks. "It looks… bigger than I imagined."
"That's because it is," Jingwei replied. "The temple is ancient—older than any structure in the free world. And if father's map is right, it's also the key to unlocking your powers."
Drake nodded, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Then let's not waste any more time."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, they set up camp at the base of the crescent mountains. Jingwei started a small fire, and they sat in silence for a while, the flames casting flickering shadows on their faces.
"You nervous?" Jingwei asked, glancing at Drake.
Drake shrugged. "A little. I mean, I've always wanted father to see me as more than just… the other son. Now that he's gone, this feels like my chance to prove myself."
Jingwei smiled faintly. "You'll do fine, Drake. Father saw something in you. That's why he chose you."
"Maybe," Drake said, poking the fire with a stick. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."
As the stars began to fill the night sky, the brothers settled in for the night, their thoughts consumed by the challenges that lay ahead.