“Are we there yet?”

  “No…” Luka groaned, his patience thinning with every repetition of Saki’s question. He glanced over his shoulder, finding her grinning mischievously, clearly enjoying his growing annoyance.

  The three of them—Luka, Saki, and Granbell—were trekking toward the Valley of Mist, a shrouded, enigmatic landmark said to lie northeast of Dreikheim. The journey wasn’t straightforward, as they had taken a wide detour around the nearby village to avoid the parasite-infested villagers.

  Now, they trudged along a narrow mountain pass, their boots crunching against the untouched snow. The air was frigid, biting at their faces and numbing their fingers, even through his gloves.

  Which infuriated him even more because Granbell wasn’t wearing anything besides his trousers. Meanwhile, Saki sported a regular coat to “make him feel better.”

  That might have worked if she hadn’t decided to pair it with shorts, her bare legs somehow unbothered by the freezing cold.

  The trail was steep and uneven, flanked by jagged rocks and barren, frostbitten trees. Above them, the sky was a pale, overcast gray, offering no promise of a warm sun.

  “You know,” Saki piped up again, “if you told me how far it actually is, maybe I’d stop asking.”

  “How could I know? I’ve never been there!” Luka shot back as he tightened his grip on the strap of his pack.

  Granbell chuckled softly from the rear of the group, his breath visible in the cold air. “It’s an hour from there. We’re almost at our destination.”

  Saki let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Finally… I’m so bored of this landscape. Snow, rocks, and dead trees everywhere…”

  “No better than the Ark…” Luka muttered under his breath. “Anyway, once we arrive, we should come up with a plan.” He quickened his pace slightly, his boots crunching against the icy ground. “This Valley is said to disorient people.”

  “I know,” the dragonkin said with a nod, his tone more serious now. “That’s what the stories say.”

  Saki’s head tilted, curiosity flashing across her face. “Wait a second… You’ve never been there, have you?”

  Granbell hesitated for a beat, then shook his head. “No. I’ve only seen it from afar.”

  Saki smirked, her tail flicking behind her. “I mean, I’m not worried about mental attacks, but are you two going to be fine?”

  “Of course you wouldn’t be worried…” Luka muttered with a wry grin. “With that birdbrain of yours.”

  “Hey!” Saki puffed out her cheeks in mock indignation. “I’ll have you know my brain is top-tier!”

  Granbell chuckled softly, his fanged smile breaking through his usual stoicism. “I’m fine,” he said confidently, gripping the hilt of his blade. “If it comes to it, I’ll just cut through the mist with my sword!”

  “And I have my control magic,” Luka added with a smug grin. “No way a mental attack is going to work on me.”

  Saki crossed her arms with a huff, her tail swishing dramatically. “Whatever. If you’re late or end up trailing behind, you owe me a drink. Actually—no, make it a dozen drinks.”

  “You can’t drink that many—Oh wait,” Luka said, narrowing his eyes at her as the memory clicked. “You’re ridiculously resistant to alcohol, aren’t you? Like that time at the Blue Falcons’ tavern… You beat everyone in that drinking contest, didn’t you?”

  Saki’s smirk widened, her tail swishing triumphantly. “Damn right I did. You should’ve seen their faces when I downed that last barrel. They thought they had me, but nope.” She tapped her temple with a playful wink. “Top-tier brain, remember?”

  “I don’t think it has anything to do with—WAH!”

  As Luka turned his head to answer her, he felt the ground disappear below his feet as he fell into a hole covered by snow.

  Luka’s words cut off with a sharp yelp as the ground beneath his feet gave way. Without warning, he plunged into a hidden hole covered by a deceptively thin layer of snow. A muffled thud echoed up as he landed awkwardly in the pit below.

  “Luka?!” Saki called out, darting toward the edge of the hole. She peered down, her wings twitching. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fan-fucking-tastic…” Luka groaned, brushing snow off his head and wincing as he sat up. “Fucking mountains, that’s why I hate climbing…” he grumbled.

  Granbell approached casually, his serpent-like eyes glinting with amusement as he leaned over the edge. “How did you not see that? The air from the hole is distinct—it’s warmer.”

  “Fuck off with your demon powers!” Luka’s irritated voice echoed from the hole. “Not everyone can sniff out danger like a bloodhound. Now help me get back up!”

  Saki burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as her wings fluttered slightly. “Oh, this is priceless,” she wheezed. “What was that about my birdbrain? Couldn’t even see a hole, little human?”

  Luka deadpanned. “Not helping, Saki. I’m freezing here.”

  “Alright, alright,” she said, stifling her laughter and crouching at the edge. Her tail flicked thoughtfully as she grinned down at him. “Should I toss you a rope, or do you want me to come down there and carry you like a damsel in distress?”

  Luka deadpanned. “Just throw me a rope.”

  Granbell shook his head, pulling a coil of rope from his pack. “At this rate, we’ll get to the Valley at night.”

  With a few strong tugs, they hauled Luka back to the surface. He dusted himself off, shivering as he pulled his coat tighter around him. “Thanks.”

  “Next time, try looking where you’re going,” Saki teased.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Luka sighed, though not without a smile. “Let’s get going.”

  They resumed their journey, this time with Saki leading the way to scout for any hidden holes. As they pressed on, the trail widened into a snow-covered plateau surrounded by jagged peaks. The wind howled between the mountains, and Luka tugged his scarf tighter around his neck to shield against the icy air.

  With every obstacle they encountered—be it a precarious icy ledge or a wide crevice—Luka couldn’t help but feel his irritation grow. Saki flitted effortlessly across gaps with her wings, her tail swishing smugly as she landed gracefully on the other side. Granbell, meanwhile, vaulted over obstacles with inhuman ease, his draconic strength making light work of what Luka considered life-threatening hazards.

  As the two of them continued ahead, laughing and trading banter, Luka’s eyes narrowed. A wicked grin tugged at his lips as an idea formed. Slowly, he crouched to the ground and retrieved one of the talismans he kept tucked in his pack. This one was inscribed with earth magic—simple but effective. It could create a small pit just big enough for someone to step into unexpectedly.

  He glanced at Saki and Granbell, both blissfully unaware of his scheming. “He who laughs last laughs best,” Luka muttered to himself.

  Carefully, he activated the talisman, placing it in a spot where Saki’s confident strut would inevitably take her. The snow concealed the faint glow of the spell perfectly. Luka straightened up, his expression the picture of innocence as he hurried to catch up with them.

  Moments later, Saki’s foot hit the freshly disguised pit, and with a loud yelp, she stumbled forward. Luka’s grin widened, already savoring the victory—only to watch in disbelief as Saki’s wings flared, effortlessly lifting her into the air before she landed lightly on the other side of the hole. She turned back to him with a triumphant grin and stuck out her tongue. “Too bad! You missed!”

  “What—seriously?!” Luka’s jaw dropped. “I just made that a second ago!”

  Saki burst out laughing, her tail flicking behind her. “Muwahaha! You’ll have to bring at least ten of those for it to actually work on me!”

  Granbell sighed and shook his head, stepping around the pit as if it were a minor inconvenience. “Did you really use magic just to play a prank?” His tone was dry, but there was a faint note of amusement in his voice.

  “Yeah, isn’t that childish Luka?” Saki crossed her arms.

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  “You’re the ones who laughed at me for falling!”

  “I didn’t know you were such an irresponsible guy…” Saki shook her head.

  “Me neither…” Granbell mimicked her, clearly amused by the back-and-forth.

  “Oh, come on! You two are the last people who should be lecturing me about responsibility!” Luka shot back, glaring at them.

  “Is it really true, though?” Granbell replied, his expression filled with skepticism.

  Luka stammered for a moment, caught off guard. “Well, maybe not you, but Saki? No way you think you’re the responsible one!” He gestured toward her in disbelief.

  Saki’s eyes narrowed playfully, her arms still crossed. “Oh, you really want to go there?” she teased, tail swishing in challenge.

  “As if you could find something that made me irresponsible. Ah!” Luka crossed his arms haughtily.

  “You literally just played a prank on me,” Saki deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.

  “Before! Before that!” Luka quickly corrected, trying to shift the focus.

  “You’re always grumbling and silent,” Saki quipped.

  “I agree,” Granbell added with a nod, his voice deadpan.

  “That’s because I have nothing to say!” Luka tried to justify it, clearly getting flustered.

  “You’re always sighing.”

  “I agree,” Granbell nodded.

  “Oh, this isn’t fair!” Luka cried, feeling increasingly outnumbered.

  “You’re always troubled but say nothing.”

  “It seems like it, indeed,” Granbell nodded.

  “That’s just a repeat of the first one!”

  Saki and Granbell both looked at each other, their expressions identical in amusement. “You’re digging your own hole, Luka,” Granbell said with a sly smile.

  “Also, you’re always trying to be the mysterious type,” Saki added, her voice dramatically deep as she struck a theatrical pose, fingers on her forehead. “I had no other choice but to do it. Come on, stop playing, let’s go.”

  Luka groaned, facepalming. “Okay, you can stop now…”

  “See? You just did it again!”

  “Argh, alright, fine! I apologize! Happy now?” Luka threw his hands up in exasperation, his face flushed with embarrassment.

  Saki’s smirk widened as she observed his flustered state. “Oh no,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “I didn’t need an apology. Your expression is just fine right now.”

  Luka groaned again, rubbing his temples. “I swear you’re not that annoying usually…”

  Granbell coughed and then took a straight face. “Alright, enough games. We have some more road to do.”

  “Roger that, boss!” Saki gave him a salute and then kept going.

  “Eh, boss? Been a while since someone called me that,” Granbell muttered as he followed her, leaving Luka trailing them.

  Still muttering under his breath, he followed them, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket. The snow was beginning to settle into a heavier fall, and despite the teasing, there was an odd comfort in their company. Even if they drove him to the edge, he couldn’t deny the familiarity and warmth that came from being around people who could make him laugh, even when it was at his expense.

  It was a nice change of pace from his world at least.

  As they continued their trek, the scenery began to change. The snow-covered peaks around them seemed to shift in texture, the frigid, biting cold easing into a more humid, softer air as they descended further into the valley. Luka could feel the temperature rise, the snowflakes melting in the warmth of the new environment. It was a stark contrast to the winter chill they had been trekking through, and the change in atmosphere made the journey feel less burdensome.

  The path ahead led them to a river that sliced through the mountains, a rushing torrent that cut through the valley like a wound in the earth. However, something stopped them in their tracks.

  Luka’s eyes narrowed, taking in the sight of a massive boulder that had come loose from a landslide, now blocking their path completely. The river, which had once seemed like their natural route forward, now appeared to be off-limits.

  “You said it was that way, right?” Luka asked, his face drained of color upon seeing the giant boulder blocking the way. A landslide was probably the cause.

  Saki glanced at the obstacle, then back at Luka. Her brow furrowed as she noticed the direction they’d intended to go. Beyond the boulder lay the entrance to the valley they had been heading toward, but it wasn’t easily accessible. “Yeah, it was supposed to be that way,” she replied, her voice thoughtful. “But we’re stuck now.”

  Luka sighed in frustration. “A landslide? Of course it had to be a landslide.”

  Saki pondered for a moment, glancing at the boulder and considering her options. “I could fly over it, sure, but…” She trailed off, her wings fluttering briefly as she assessed the situation more carefully. Behind the boulder was a steep drop-off, leading directly into the valley they had been heading for. The plateau above them wouldn’t give them the same access. “The valley’s right below that plateau,” she added, pointing to a rocky slope leading down to the valley’s mouth. “Flying over would only take us to the edge, and we’d be too far from the entrance.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s not a problem.” Granbell, who had been quiet up until now, stepped forward with a determined glint in his eyes. He assessed the boulder with a steady gaze, placing a hand on its rough surface as if feeling for its weight. His brow furrowed in concentration, and then, with a deep breath, he crouched down, preparing to lift it.

  “Wait…” Luka’s eyes widened. “You’re not going to lift THAT?”

  “Of course I will.” With a grunt, Granbell planted his feet firmly into the ground. His muscles bulged as he wrapped his arms around the massive boulder, lifting it with an effort that sent a ripple of tension through his body. Luka’s jaw dropped as he watched the boulder begin to shift. The ground beneath Granbell’s feet groaned in protest, but with a final push, the boulder rolled aside with a resounding thud, clearing the path to the valley entrance.

  Luka stood in stunned silence for a moment, staring at Granbell in disbelief. “That… That was insane. How did you…?” His words trailed off as he tried to comprehend the sheer strength Granbell had just displayed.

  Granbell wiped his brow and shrugged, his tone nonchalant. “It’s just a boulder,” he said with a casual wave, as if lifting it was no more difficult than moving a stone in a garden. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. Back in my home, we used to lift these for training.”

  Luka blinked. “Your home is insane.”

  “That was to be expected from a dragonkin,” Saki smiled before walking away. “Alright, let’s go, the Valley is not far from there!”

  Granbell followed her, but not before casting a quick glance at Luka, his expression stern. “Let’s keep moving. That landslide was probably caused by Araka.”

  Luka, still processing the display of strength, snapped out of his daze and nodded, falling into step behind them. “Still, you dragonkins really are something else. You must be the strongest among demonkind.”

  Granbell gave a dismissive wave. “Bah, Doppelgangers are far scarier.”

  “Ah? Why?” Luka’s brow furrowed, clearly confused as to why a shapeshifter would be so threatening.

  Saki, who had been listening intently, chimed in. “Doppelgangers are terrifying because they can transform into anything or anyone. If they manage to get their hands on some of the DNA of their target, they gain all of that person’s abilities and memories.”

  Luka’s eyes widened as the gravity of Saki’s words sank in. “Wait, so you’re telling me they can become anyone and do everything that person can do?”

  “Exactly,” Saki nodded, her tone serious. “And they can use that to their advantage in ways you’d never expect. Imagine facing someone who knows everything you do, and can turn into anyone you trust.” Her expression darkened, a flicker of unease passing over her features. “Or worse,” she tilted her head with a smile. “Imagine a doppelganger transforming into a dragon god.”

  Luka’s blood ran cold. “I heard Doppi managed to do it,” Granbell added matter-of-factly, his eyes distant for a moment.

  “A dragon god? What the hell? Why aren’t these things our top priority to eliminate?” Luka’s voice was a mixture of disbelief and alarm. “We’ve got enough on our plate already, and now you’re telling me shapeshifters can take on gods?!”

  “Because they are mostly extinct,” Saki replied. “Doppi was the last one to have been heard of. He was one of the most trusted generals of Kaeris.”

  “Being a general and named Doppi… Talk about not being intimidating…” Luka deadpanned.

  Granbell chuckled, a low, amused sound. “I agree,” he said with a smirk, before his expression turned contemplative. He glanced at Saki. “By the way, does anyone know what happened to him? As I recall, he’s not an official general anymore.”

  “No one knows what happened,” Saki answered. “The last time someone reported seeing him was during the big fight against Zaran.”

  “Hm,” Granbell nodded. “He was probably helping to free his lord.”

  “Probably…” Saki agreed quietly, her gaze flickering toward the distant mountains as if lost in thought.

  “You guys know a lot…” Luka said, almost in awe at how much his companions knew. It was as if he was talking to his master sometimes.

  Granbell scratched his head, a sheepish grin appearing on his face. “Well…” He cleared his throat. “I was scouted by Kaeris once to be one of his generals.”

  Saki and Luka froze, their neck audibly snapping toward him in unison.

  The dragonkin looked at them confused for a moment before realizing his mistake.“Oh, right,” he chuckled. “I refused though.”

  Luka’s mouth hung open for a second. “Wait, wait—what? You, Granbell, turned down a spot as a general of Kaeris?” His eyes darted between Granbell and Saki, looking for some kind of clarification.

  “Like I said, I don’t like his methods,” Granbell sighed, his tone resigned. “I get why you’d be wary after what I just said, though.”

  “No, it’s just…” Luka struggled to find the right words. “A lot of demons would kill for that position. And you just turned it down?”

  Granbell grumbled in response, his voice dripping with contempt. “I don’t care. These fools are following him out of sheer stupidity and hatred toward humans.”

  Luka raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t your tribe get wiped out by a human?”

  Granbell’s eyes darkened, and a subtle coldness took over his expression. “You’re right,” he growled. “That dog... he will always be someone I need to kill.” His fists clenched involuntarily, his posture rigid with anger. “But that doesn’t mean all humans are bad,” he added with a slight sigh, his voice softening, as though weighing the complexity of his own feelings. “I’ve seen too much, fought too many battles, to believe in such broad generalizations.”

  Saki, who had been listening quietly, gave Granbell a brief, understanding nod, her gaze steady and compassionate.

  Granbell’s expression shifted, his past clearly heavy on his mind. “I had a son, a long time ago,” he began, but he quickly stopped himself, eyes scanning the horizon. “But that will be a story for another time.”

  Luka glanced at him, noticing the shift in mood, but didn’t push further. Instead, he followed Granbell’s gaze as they arrived at the entrance to the Valley of Mist.

  Granbell gestured toward the mist-covered landscape ahead. “Here we are,” he said, his tone shifting to something more practical. “The Valley of Mist.”

  The thick fog swirled around them as they stepped into the valley, the air growing cooler and thick with humidity.

  “Let’s stay close, this place is said to drive people mad with visions,” Granbell added, his gaze wary as they stepped further in.

  The valley was more akin to a labyrinth. A rocky formation with multiple branching routes shrouded in fog, the ground covered with moss and snow, and the walls of stone rose sharply, twisting and narrowing right until they hit the plateau above.

  “Stay sharp,” Granbell muttered as they moved further into the mist. “Araka might already be there.”

  Granbell stopped in his tracks, frowning as he turned around. Only the swirling fog greeted him. The sound of his companions’ footsteps, which had been steady just moments ago, had vanished entirely. In its place was an eerie silence—interrupted only by faint, distant giggling that echoed unnervingly in the mist.

  His muscles tensed, his hands tightening around his weapon. Then, from the haze ahead, a human child emerged. The figure’s laughter grew louder, clearer.

  Granbell’s fists clenched, his knuckles whitening. His breathing grew heavier as memories clawed at the edges of his mind. He recognized the figure. It was a vision he did not want to face.

  “I see… These fogs show visions of the past,” Granbell muttered under his breath, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. His voice was low, filled with equal parts anger and sorrow. “Begone, foul illusions. I don’t need to see it.”

  With a sweeping slash of his blade, the fog around him recoiled, parting to reveal a clearer path forward.

  Granbell exhaled deeply, his expression hard. “Let’s hope the others will be fine,” he muttered before stepping forward, his figure swallowed once more by the fog.

  Luka, on the other hand, was faring no better. It had taken him a solid minute to realize that he was alone. The steady rhythm of footsteps he had been following was gone, replaced by the quiet hum of the valley.

  “So, this valley shows different paths for each person…” he murmured to himself, trying to keep his voice low.

  It’s a good thing I have Control, that way, the mist can’t play tricks on my mind.

  He could also control his emotions, making any kind of mental attack nearly useless against him. His eyes darted around the mids, scanning any signs of his companions, but all he could see was a pale void.

  “Reminds me of Xilna…” he sighed, the memories of the boundary creeping into his mind. “Still, it’s no use you stupid fog. Nothing can get through me—”

  “Yo, Luka!”

  The voice froze him mid-step. It wasn’t just familiar—it was unmistakable. He spun around, his heart leaping into his throat.

  A lone woman stood a few feet ahead, her figure bathed in the dim, hazy light of the valley. She smiled at him, her expression warm and carefree, just as he remembered it. Her short brown hair fluttered slightly in an unseen breeze, her posture relaxed yet inviting. It was contagious, that smile—a smile he hadn’t seen in years.

  And just like that, maintaining his control spell slipped his mind.