Chapter 15: The Mountain’s Secret
956 Words
The roar echoed across the northern mountains.
It was so powerful that snow cascaded from distant cliffs, while flocks of birds burst into the sky in panic.
Everyone in Frost Hollow froze.
Children covered their ears.
The horses neighed restlessly.
Even seasoned soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
Brakus tightened his grip on his shield.
“…Please tell me that was thunder.”
Master Kael slowly shook his head.
“No.”
“That sound came from something alive.”
⸻
At dawn, the Royal Vanguard assembled outside the village.
King Joseph had ordered the civilians to be escorted back to the capital, while the Vanguard investigated the source of the roar.
“You’ll take a small force,” the King instructed.
“If this is another trap, I don’t want to risk an entire army.”
Master Kael agreed.
“Our priority is information, not battle.”
Cassian smirked.
“I’ve noticed your kingdom prefers thinking before swinging swords.”
Bashan grinned.
“And I’ve noticed yours prefers swinging swords before thinking.”
Seraphina laughed.
“I’m beginning to enjoy watching you two.”
⸻
The expedition climbed steadily into the Frostfang Mountains.
The air grew colder with every step.
Snow covered the narrow paths, and ancient pine trees stretched high into the mist.
Nyx suddenly raised a hand.
“Stop.”
Everyone obeyed.
“What is it?” Azul asked.
She crouched beside the snow.
“There are tracks.”
Liora knelt beside her.
The footprints were enormous.
Each one was nearly twice the size of Brakus’ foot.
“They’re fresh,” Nyx said.
“Less than an hour old.”
Brakus looked ahead nervously.
“I suddenly miss the palace.”
⸻
The group continued until they reached a narrow mountain pass.
The cliffs rose hundreds of feet on either side, blocking most of the sunlight.
As they entered the pass, Taren frowned.
“…It’s too quiet.”
Before anyone could respond—
CRACK!
A massive boulder crashed onto the path behind them.
Then another.
Within seconds, both exits of the pass were sealed by fallen rock.
“We’re trapped!” one of the guards shouted.
Arrows suddenly rained down from the cliffs above.
“AMBUSH!” Master Kael roared.
“Shields up!”
Brakus raised his shield as arrows bounced harmlessly from its surface.
Liora and Nyx searched for the attackers.
“I don’t see anyone!” Liora called.
“Neither do I,” Nyx replied.
The arrows had come from empty cliffs.
Or so it seemed.
⸻
Then, one by one, cloaked figures appeared from behind the rocks.
Each wore the crimson emblem of the Crimson Order.
There were at least thirty of them.
Cassian drew his sword.
“So much for a quiet investigation.”
The leader of the cloaked warriors stepped forward.
Unlike the others, he wore a silver mask instead of a hood.
He bowed politely.
“Greetings, Royal Vanguard.”
Azul stepped forward.
“Who are you?”
The masked man smiled beneath his mask.
“My name no longer matters.”
“I simply carry out Lord Aster’s will.”
Bashan pointed his sword.
“Then you’ll carry it somewhere else.”
Without another word, he charged.
⸻
The battle erupted across the mountain pass.
Bashan clashed with the masked commander, their blades sending sparks into the air.
To his surprise, the commander matched every strike.
“You fight well,” the masked man said.
“I’ve trained for this day.”
Meanwhile, Liora and Seraphina fought side by side for the first time.
Their spears moved in perfect rhythm, forcing the Crimson Order soldiers backwards.
“I like your style,” Seraphina said.
Liora smiled.
“You keep up surprisingly well.”
“I get that a lot.”
Nearby, Brakus stood like an unbreakable wall while villagers’ guards took shelter behind him.
Taren darted through the battlefield, disarming enemies faster than they could react.
Nyx slipped silently through the chaos, striking only when necessary before disappearing again.
Azul coordinated everyone calmly.
“Left flank!”
“Fall back!”
“Protect the wounded!”
For a moment…
It seemed the Vanguard was gaining the upper hand.
⸻
Then the masked commander suddenly raised his hand.
Every Crimson Order soldier immediately retreated.
No panic.
No confusion.
Perfect discipline.
Bashan frowned.
“They’re running?”
“No,” Master Kael answered.
“They’ve achieved their objective.”
The commander looked toward Azul.
“This battle was never meant to defeat you.”
“It was meant to delay you.”
Before anyone could ask what he meant…
The mountain roared again.
This time, the sound came from directly beneath their feet.
The ground shook violently.
Cracks raced across the frozen earth.
High above, snow broke loose from the cliffs.
Master Kael’s eyes widened.
“…Avalanche!”
“RUN!”
The mountainside collapsed.
An enormous wall of snow thundered toward the pass, swallowing trees, rocks, and everything in its path.
The Royal Vanguard sprinted for safety as the Crimson Order vanished into hidden tunnels carved into the cliffs.
The last thing Azul saw before the snow consumed the pass…
Was the masked commander standing calmly atop a rock.
He gave a respectful bow.
Then disappeared beneath the white storm.
The avalanche crashed over the mountainside, separating the Royal Vanguard from one another.
When the snow finally settled…
Silence returned.
Slowly, Azul opened his eyes.
He coughed, pushing snow from his face.
“Is everyone alright?”
No answer.
He looked around.
The pass was gone.
The others were nowhere in sight.
For the first time since the Alliance Summit began…
The Royal Vanguard had been scattered.
And deep beneath the mountain…
A pair of crimson eyes opened once more.
- Writer
