THE ROAD OF THE HEART

The path up the Mountain of Whispers was treacherous. Jagged rocks jutted from the earth, and the cold, biting wind howled through the trees, carrying with it an eerie, otherworldly hum.

Anaberu tightened her cloak around her shoulders as she followed Kai, her eyes darting to every shadow that flickered in the dim light of the moon.

"Why is it called the Mountain of Whispers?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the wind.

Kai paused, glancing back at her.

"The mountain holds the voices of those who came here and never left. Or so the legends say."

His tone was matter-of-fact, but the hint of unease in his expression betrayed that he, too, was not immune to the mountain's reputation.

Anaberu shuddered. "Do you believe the stories?"

Kai didn't answer immediately. Instead, he resumed walking, his katana resting lightly in his hand.

"Belief is irrelevant. Stories often have roots in truth. What matters is that we stay vigilant."

They pressed on, the trees thinning as the path grew steeper. The air seemed heavier now, thick with an unspoken tension that made Anaberu's skin crawl. Every step felt harder than the last, as if the mountain itself was resisting their advance.

Then she heard it—a faint whisper carried by the wind.

She froze, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Kai… did you hear that?"

He stopped and turned to her, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"What did you hear?"

"A voice," she whispered, clutching her locket instinctively.

"It was calling my name."

Kai's gaze darkened.

"It's the mountain. It preys on your mind. Don't listen to it."

Anaberu nodded, but the sound of her name lingered in her ears, chilling her to the bone.

As they ascended higher, the whispers grew louder, weaving a tapestry of haunting voices. Some sounded desperate, others angry, but all were unsettling.

Anaberu tried to block them out, focusing on Kai's steady movements ahead of her.

The trail eventually opened into a clearing. In the center stood a massive stone altar, weathered and cracked with age. Strange symbols were etched into its surface, glowing faintly in the moonlight.

Kai approached cautiously, his hand on his katana.

"This is...old magic," he murmured, inspecting the symbols.

"A summoning altar, perhaps."

"A summoning altar?" Anaberu echoed, stepping closer despite the dread pooling in her stomach.

"Yes, but... I can be wrong ." Kai said, his voice was low.

Before Anaberu could respond, a low growl rumbled through the air. Her breath hitched as a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness beyond the altar.

It was humanoid, but its proportions were all wrong—its arms too long, its head twisted at an unnatural angle. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its jagged teeth gleamed as it bared them in a predatory grin.

"Stay behind me," Kai ordered, drawing his katana.

The creature lunged without warning, its movements unnaturally fast. Kai met it head-on, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Sparks flew as the katana clashed against the creature's claws, and the force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing.

Anaberu stumbled back, her heart racing as she watched Kai battle the creature. He moved with the grace of a dancer and the ferocity of a storm, his every strike deliberate and unyielding.

But the creature was relentless. It twisted and writhed, its form shifting like smoke. Each time Kai struck it down, it reformed, growing more aggressive with each pass.

"Wait. It can't be killed." Kai said, realizing the futility of his efforts.

"It's not alive..it's not real."

Kai gritted his teeth, sidestepping another attack.

"There must be a way to stop this illusion."

Without another thought, Kai closed his eyes and told Anaberu to do the same.

"Anaberu, remember don't be afraid, none of these creatures are real. Push away all your fears."

"It's not real not real not real not real...."

Anaberu kept on chanting the same words.

At first they heard The creature let out an ear-splitting shriek.

And then, silence.

Kai opened his eyes. Followed by Anaberu.

"We did it!" Her voice was shaking but tinged with relief.

Kai looked at her.

"You're okay?" Kai asked. She nodded.

Though her legs felt like they might give out at any moment.

"Let's keep moving. The mountain won't get any kinder."