Ryan nearly stumbled as another distant boom rolled through the mountain.
They are finally here.
The camp erupted into motion.
Soldiers rushed past him in disciplined chaos, boots pounding stone and dirt as orders were shouted from every direction. Crates were dragged from storage, gates slammed shut, and torches flared to life along the walls. To the east, a brief flash of orange light illuminated the forest at the base of the hill, followed by the low, echoing thunder of a second explosion.
Eleanor caught Ryan by the arm before he could lose his balance.
"Easy," she said sharply. "You're hurt."
Ryan exhaled through clenched teeth, one hand instinctively pressing against his abdomen. The pain was no longer sharp, but it was deep—heavy—and every step sent a dull pulse through his core.
"I've got it," he muttered, though his pace slowed despite himself.
Despite the deepening night, the world around him was unnervingly clear.
Why can I see so well? he wondered. It's night… it should be darker.
Torches lined the paths, but instead of blinding him, he could make out every flicker of flame, every crack in the wood, even the grain in the handles. Stone walls stood out in sharp relief, their rough texture unmistakable. He could see individual leaves trembling on trees far beyond the camp's perimeter.
Ryan blinked and glanced at the nearest torch again.
Light attribute…
It did this before. Back then it was subtle—but this… this is stronger.
Whatever happened to him in his sleep, his light affinity had grown sharper.
He tilted his head back.
The moon hung low and white, casting a cold silver glow across the land. Beyond the camp, the mountain he was on sloped sharply downward into darkness—but behind it rose something far greater.
The vast, twisting mountain range stretched across the horizon, its peaks layered one behind another like frozen waves. The ridges were immense, jagged and uneven, some vanishing into cloud and shadow. Even from here, Ryan could tell the range was not just tall, but wide—spreading endlessly to either side, swallowing the land.
They were staring at only a fragment of it.
We climbed the front rise. That was just the beginning.
They weren't even close to the other side. Maybe ten per cent through at best.
"Whoa…" he breathed.
Eleanor shot him a look. "Focus."
They hurried towards the edge of the camp, where the buildings thinned into a wide clearing dominated by an enormous oak. Beneath its sprawling branches stood a small formation of soldiers and horses, moving with silent efficiency.
Two familiar figures stood among them.
The middle-aged guard from earlier caught Ryan's eye first—the veteran who had joked about poisoned food. He gave Ryan a brief nod, expression grim but steady. Beside him stood the quieter guard, posture rigid, eyes constantly scanning the darkness beyond the camp.
So they're coming too, Ryan thought, oddly reassured.
General Aldric stood at the centre of the clearing, issuing rapid orders.
"Archers to the eastern wall!"
"Prepare the rockfall barriers!"
"Light the pitch trenches—but do not ignite until commanded!"
Another explosion thundered, closer this time.
Ryan turned instinctively towards the sound. Along the dirt path leading up the mountain pass, soldiers were already at work—shovelling earth, collapsing sections of the road, and levering massive boulders into position above narrow chokepoints.
They weren't retreating.
They were preparing to hold.
Aldric finally turned, his gaze locking onto Ryan. His eyes flicked to the hand clutching Ryan's abdomen, and his jaw tightened.
"You took your time," Aldric said.
Ryan straightened slightly. "I can barely walk."
Aldric studied him for a moment, then nodded once. "Good enough."
He gestured to the waiting group. "These four will escort you both. Captain Myna leads. Once you reach the lower encampment, you ditch the horses and go on foot."
Eleanor frowned. "You're staying."
Aldric didn't hesitate. "I have to."
Captain Myna stepped forward. "We move quickly. Stay within the group. If we stop, it's for a reason."
Ryan nodded. "Understood."
Aldric turned to a nearby officer. "Once they're clear, seal the inner gate. If the elves get past us-"
"We'll bury them," the officer replied grimly.
Aldric clasped Ryan's shoulder briefly. "Get to Rupes."
Then he turned away, already barking orders as another explosion shook the mountainside.
They moved towards the horses.
Ryan swallowed as pain flared again. Not horses.
Captain Myna noticed immediately. "He rides double."
Before Ryan could protest, Eleanor helped guide him forward. He was lifted up behind one of the soldiers—the middle-aged guard—who steadied him without comment.
Ryan hissed quietly as the movement pulled at his abdomen.
"Sorry," the guard murmured.
Ryan shook his head. "Just… don't let me fall."
The gates opened with a heavy groan.
As they rode out, Ryan looked back once.
Firelight danced along the fortress walls. Archers lined the battlements, arrows already burning. Stone scraped against stone as boulders were nudged into place.aq
Then another explosion—close enough to feel through the horse's frame.
The gates slammed shut behind them.
Ahead, the path descended into darkness, winding towards the vast, towering mountain range beyond.
And somewhere deep within those peaks, something waited.