Into The Unknown Mountains

A week had passed since the battle with the Abyss King to save Kaerainus. Makoto, Ryu and Chihiro were taking a well-earned break inside their room in the Apex Tower. Staring out the window, Chihiro's eyes remained fixed on the grand and snowy mountains in the distance. Many believed that an orphan, taken in by wolves, now led that same wolf pack. "I wonder what's up there?" Chihiro speculated, his eyes still locked on the cloud-covered peaks. "You know why we can't go, Chihiro. It's far to dangerous," Ryu said, his voice cautious. "Yeah, I know that," Chihiro complained.
Makoto, sensing Chihiro's curiosity, turned to Ryu and said reassuringly, "We beat the Abyss King. There's nothing to worry about, Ryu." Ryu stayed silent for a moment, then sighed before replying, "you're right, Makoto. Chihiro, you'll get to see what's up there. Just both of you remember to be careful." A big smile lit up on Chihiro's face, and he said, "No worries, I'll be super careful!" And with that, they set off for the mountains known to the Apex Paladins as the Snowmantle Mountains.

As they went up the mountain, the wind got colder, blowing straight through the tall pines and carrying the scent of snow. Makoto wiped the sweat from his brow, stealing a moment to glance back at the expanse they'd traversed. "I didn't know it would be so tiring to walk up here!" He said, still catching his breath. Ryu looked down the mountain. "The mountain is taller than I had thought," Ryu said, slightly squinting at the ground below them. Then, the trio hear a sound not far away. "What was that?" Chihiro said. The trio exchanged uncertain glances as they stood in mountain's eerie tranquility. "Let's go find out," Ryu said. "Just remember, be on your guard." Chihiro and Makoto nodded. "Got it," Chihiro said.

As they continued up the mountain, Makoto couldn't stop thinking about the person they encountered. The stranger's piercing gaze and unexpected graceful movements lingered in Makoto's mind. 'I wonder, are they the human who was taken in by the wolves?' He thought. Lost in his contemplation, Makoto tripped over a small rock, snapping him back to reality. "Makoto," Ryu went to help him up. "Sorry," Makoto said as he stood up and tried to forget about the encounter. However, the person's silent watchful eyes stayed burned into his memory.
Soon, the group reached a fork in the road. It had three paths, one leading up and to the left, one leading straight forward, and the other one leading down and to the right. Ryu looked as far down each one as he could before saying, "Alright, let's split up. Chihiro, you go on the middle path; Makoto, you go on the left path. I'll take the right path." Chihiro and Makoto nodded as they began walking towards they paths. "Wait," Ryu said. He took three small diamonds out of his deep pocket and handed one to each of them. "These are Guiding Talismans, they'll help us find each other if we get lost," He said. "They also let us communicate."

After taking the Guiding Talismans, the trio split up, Makoto taking the left path, Chihiro taking the middle path, and Ryu taking the right path. Each path was different. The left one surrounded by tall pines that swayed in the breeze, creating a calming atmosphere. The middle one was more rocky than the other paths. And the right path was dark and foreboding.
Soon, Makoto reached what he thought was a dead end, until he heard a slight rustle. He headed towards the source of the sound, and he saw the person they had encountered before. Making sure to stay hidden, he watched them from a distance. They were tending to the wounds of the wolf they had been protecting before. "Calm, Lupus, calm," they said to the wolf. Their slightly deep voice surprised Makoto, as it differed from the quiet, calm, and composed aura they held before. 'I wonder, is this person the human who was taken in by wolves?' Makoto mused as he watched. Then, they lifted their head as if they heard something. They turned to face Makoto, with the same piercing stare as before.

"You," they said, pointing towards Makoto. "You're from the Tower, aren't you?" Makoto, slightly unsure of himself, managed to say, "Uh, yeah. I'm Makoto, and you are...?" The person retained their eye contact with Makoto as they said, "I am Lupin." At that moment, Makoto realized that Lupin was from the wolf pack as he had thought. Makoto also noticed the strength Lupin's arms, though they didn't use it at all. Out of sheer curiosity, Makoto began to ask, "Are, are you...?" Lupin interrupted Makoto, saying, "Am I the boy who was taken in by wolves? Yes." Makoto looked at him for a moment. 'So he is the kid Ryu told me about!' He thought. Lupin returned a quick glance before speaking. "You are the Chosen One," he said. Makoto nodded, and Lupin continued. "You must have heard of the Abyss King and his warriors, then. They are the ones who attacked Lupus," he explained, turning back to look at the wolf next to him. Makoto then asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Lupin looked at Makoto for a moment. "It's not going to be easy," he said, maintaining his strong eye contact with Makoto. Makoto looked at Lupin with the same determination in his eyes and said, "I know, but... I want to help."

Just then, Ryu and Chihiro seemed to appear out of nowhere, disturbing the silence. "Intruders," Lupin assumed a protective stance in front of Lupus, to deflect any further harm. In response, Ryu and Chihiro prepared themselves for battle, when Makoto ran between the three and shouted, "Stop! Please don't fight!" Ryu maintained eye contact with Lupin as he said, "Makoto, get out of the way." As he said this, Lupin swiftly pushed Makoto against the mountains' stone wall and charged at Ryu. Time seemed faster while they dodges each other's attacks. Then, Ryu faltered, and Lupin back-hand slapped Ryu, sending him flying backwards. However, Ryu swung himself back to his feet, prepared to strike. But then, something unexpected happened...