The forest faded behind them like a memory left out in the rain.
Clouds loomed heavy as Lin walked ahead, his steps steady, his expression unreadable. Yan followed clutching the small cloth bag Lin had given him.
He'd been quiet since morning. Every sound in the woods made his shoulders jump. He kept glancing behind, like expecting someone or something to be there.
"Lin..." Yan's voice was soft, hesitant. "What are these mountains like?"
"Cursed" Lin said simply.
Yan winced. "I figured that..."
They walked a little farther, silence thick between them. Then Yan spoke again.
" When I was eleven, they burned my house. I hid in the attic. My parents...they didn't even scream. Just fell."
Lin didn't looked at him, but he slowed slightly.
"I ran after that. Kept running. Town to town. People said my family betrayed the crown. Lies. They were healers. Yan's voice cracked.
"They just refused to stop giving healing draught to the spirit. They always left it at the base of the mountain."
His voice was sorrowful but he kept talking "For years, I thought someone would help. No one did."
Still no reply.
Yan glanced up "Do you think they deserved it."
"No," Lin said quietly.
Just one word but it made Yan pause.
The wind howled through the trees like ghosts passing by. The path narrowed ahead, and a dark shape rose beyond the horizon.
It's shape was jagged, like a spine ripping through the earth. The trees near it were all dead, gray and leafless, as if choked by something unseen.
Yan sallowed hard, taking a step back. "Are you sure this is the right way?"
Lin didn't answer. Just kept walking.
"Lin..." Yan's voice trembled, his hands shaking." This place... it feels wrong."
Lin finally stopped. His eyes met Yan's, unreadable.
"Then turn back."
Yan stared at him.
"I...I didn't mean that. I just..."
"Fear keeps you alive." Lin said, his tone flat. "But don't let it control you."
Then he turned again, walking toward the mountain as the cursed wind screamed through the dead trees.
Yan hesitated. Then ran to catch up, heart pounding.