Journey to the Path of Knowledge

A monstrous battle raged atop the mountain, shrouded in mist so thick it seemed alive. One figure was formless, shifting between shapes—a creature neither fully present nor absent. The other was human, an elder of the sect whose wrinkled face bore the weight of countless years and secrets.

The elder had come here after receiving reports of an anomaly—a deadly force that had claimed more than thirty disciples. She hadn't anticipated this: a being born of shadow and mist, relentless and unnatural. Fenric, one of the survivors, had told her they first encountered it near a cave containing a statue bound by chains around its head.

"A protector of a grave?" the elder murmured to herself, frowning deeply. "Why here? The Mist Veil Mountain Range isn't known for burial sites—not even for ancient seekers who once roamed these peaks."

Despite her confusion, she couldn't afford distractions. The creature lashed out again, tendrils of darkness slicing through the air like blades. Her weapon—a staff etched with runes—glowed faintly as she countered, striking back with bursts of energy that lit up the night.

Yet something nagged at her thoughts. Fenric… there was something off about him. Something she couldn't quite place. But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. The duel continued, each clash shaking the earth beneath them.

•---•

Below the mountain, where the monstrous battle raged above, two men fought amidst swirling mist. Their breaths were ragged, sweat dripping down their faces as golden threads and motes danced around one of them. To Alden, the surroundings were ordinary—if not oppressive due to the thickening fog. But to Kale, guided by his active seeking state, the scene was breathtakingly vivid.

The Moon Bloom flower glowed nearby, casting a serene light over the chaos. Its petals shimmered softly, releasing star-like dust into the air. Golden threads weaved gracefully around Kale, guiding his every movement with precision. Yet, despite the beauty of the moment, pain began to sear behind Kale's eyes.

Does using the active seeking state cost me more than I realized? he wondered, gritting his teeth against the growing ache.

Suddenly, the mist thickened unnaturally, obscuring their vision. Alden faltered, struggling to adjust to the sudden blindness. But Kale thrived in it. The threads remained clear to him, leading him unerringly toward his opponent.

With calculated movements, Kale blocked Alden's wild swings and dodged his desperate strikes. Then, seizing an opening, he thrust his spear forward, piercing Alden's side. Alden screamed in pain, swinging his sword wildly in retaliation. Kale pushed forward, lunging again and pinning Alden to the ground.

Panting heavily, Kale drove the spear into Alden's hand, pinning him further. Alden cried out, writhing in agony.

"Alright! Alright!" Alden gasped, his voice strained. "You win! Take the flower!"

Kale didn't move. His grip on the spear tightened as he leaned closer, his expression cold and unyielding. "Not good enough," he said sharply. "What's your reason for all this? Who are you really?"

Alden hesitated, then spoke through gritted teeth. "I was just… a normal boy. Born near the Lake of Mist. At first, I wanted to be a fisherman, like my father. But everything changed when the lake turned hostile—monsters surged out, attacking our town. Someone came to me after that… offering answers. Offering power. They said I needed the Moon Bloom flower to achieve what they promised—to protect my family."

Kale's eyes narrowed. "Who is 'they'?"

Alden opened his mouth to respond but froze mid-sentence. His eyes widened in terror as an invisible force gripped his neck, choking him. He clawed at the unseen assailant, staring at Kale with a pained expression.

Kale recoiled, horrified. "What the hell is happening?!"

Before his eyes, Alden's body began to decay at an alarming rate. His skin turned gray and brittle, rot spreading from his neck to his face, then down his arms and torso. A foul stench filled the air as his flesh crumbled away, leaving nothing but bones and tattered remains.

Kale staggered backward, clutching his spear tightly. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he'd just witnessed.

"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath. "Magic? Who would do such a thing?"

He looked down at Alden's remains, guilt and anger warring within him. Whoever—or whatever—had silenced Alden wasn't done yet. And Kale knew, deep down, that he was no longer safe.

Above, the battle between the elder and the mist beast intensified, shaking the mountain once more. The Moon Bloom flower pulsed faintly beside him, its glow intensifying as if urging him to act.