Charging back down the ramp, Stronric swung his axe cutting down the gnolls and pressing them in from two sides. The party that was left behind had an easier time fighting their way up the ramps after Stronric's charge. The ramparts were weakened and in a state of disrepair. The torn gates shattered the framework of the ramshackle ramparts. The gatehouses cracked and collapsed onto the ground, tumbling off the hill and taking the gnolls with it. Those gnolls that did not fall off the side of the hill were easy prey for the charging party. It didn't take long for Stronric to rejoin his companions and venture back up the ramp.

Dane and Giles still kept their shields up and walked in front, but it seemed like the gnolls were content to allow their forces to retreat and take a moment to reorganize. Kara laid on the ground breathing heavily and glaring at everyone as they reach the first flat part on their journey up the hill. Stronric had broken through the gates and stopped at the first elbow on the winding road. He felt it would likely hold over a hundred soldiers with their supplies and still have area for digging in and holding off a siege.

Stronric got a sense of vertigo when looking up. Did the mountain grow? The hill that they were on before loomed above them like a mighty mountain. Its portions growing and stretching. What had been a simple path that two could walk abreast on was now wide enough to accommodate a platoon marching down. The wooden defenses and scaffolding now stretched beyond the point of sanity, it swayed under its own weight. Now ramshackle, buckling and shobby the wooden ramparts and gatehouse now looked worse than a gobi design and build. Their half a day journey now loomed into a mountain climb, bristling with savage enemies and even more uncivilized design.

"Oh mon dieu..." Armand whispered, his face pale as he took a step back.

Giles clenched his jaw. "Zis is... unnatural. Ze land itself reshapes before us. What sorcery is zis?"

Kara let out a bitter laugh between ragged breaths as she sat on the ground. "Oh sure, let's just add 'the world reshaping itself' to the list of horrors today. Why not?" She gestured weakly at the sky. "What next? Time itself gonna start movin' backward?"

Rugiel studied the path with a sharp gaze, her fingers tracing absent patterns against the haft of her hammer. "It is as though the very mountain has turned against us. Whether this is the work of gnoll shamans, a greater power, or something else entirely, it means to break us before we even reach the summit."

Stronric grunted. "Bah, let it try. I'll still put me axe through whatever's at the top."

A deep, resonant chime echoed through the air. Not from a bell or horn, but something vast and omnipresent. It thrummed in their bones, setting teeth on edge. The very stone beneath them seemed to hum in response. Then, a voice, mechanical, cold, and absolute, filled their heads:

"Challenge Initiated."

A pause. Then:

"Reach the summit and slay the Warlord within twenty-four hours."

"Failure conditions: Incomplete objective before time expiration."

"Consequences: Normal loot setting."

"Reward: Increase rarity of loot."

The words sent a chill through the party, a weight settling on them heavier than any armor.

Kara smiled. "Oh, that's just fantastic. 'Increase rarity of loot'."

Serene, who had been silent until now, ran a hand through her hair, expression unreadable. "That means we're either in a controlled space, or something's enforcing the rules of this... game."

Dane scowled, pounding his shield. "Whatever it is, it wants to make sure we don't have the luxury of time."

Bauru exhaled sharply. "Aye, and if it can bend the land, I'd wager it can throw more tricks our way."

Armand tightened his grip on his sword. "Zen we waste no time. We push forward, break zrough whatever obstacles zis cursed trial throws at us, and we end zis Warlord before ze clock runs out."

Stronric grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Aye, that's the spirit! Race against time, eh? I've smashed through worse odds."

Rugiel's eyes glowed faintly with her inner fire, her voice steady. "Then let us move swiftly. If this place can shift once, it can shift again. We must not be caught unprepared."

A second chime rang out, and the sky itself darkened slightly, as though the world acknowledged the challenge had truly begun.

The race was on. The group took off at a run, their boots pounding against the unstable ground. The path ahead zigzagged sharply up the unnatural mountain, twisting in ways that defied logic. Kara gritted her teeth, forcing her weary legs to move, while Dane and Giles led the way with shields raised, watching for incoming threats. The group rounded the corner and ran up the long and winding path. The mountain face rose on their right as they ran. It was half a mile to the next corner, the distance seemed impossible just a few moments ago.

Stronric surged ahead, his iron-forged endurance carrying him effortlessly up the shifting mountain path. A born mountaineer, the hills had been his playground, the mountains mere steppingstones beneath his stride. The dungeon might have bested others before him, but this terrain? This was his domain. With a practiced motion, he spun his axe and slid it into its sheath across his back, freeing his arms for balance as he rounded the next bend.

Crack!

The ground ahead of him splintered, the mountain groaning in protest. Stones tumbled into the abyss below, entire chunks of the path vanishing into nothingness. The cracks spread like the veins of some great, slumbering beast, yawning wider with each passing second. To his right, open space stretched endlessly, a sheer drop into oblivion. To his left, the mountainside stood firm, lined with alcoves carved into the rock at seemingly random intervals.

A voice cried out behind him. "Watch out!"

Stronric turned just in time to witness the consequences of his momentum. His heavy steps had triggered a landslide, an avalanche of stone and debris now barreling down toward his companions. Pebbles gave way to boulders, crashing down in a deadly cascade.

Crunch!

"Rahhh!"

Dane slammed into an oncoming boulder; his shield braced against the impact. Veins bulged across his arms as he roared in defiance, digging his heels into the crumbling ground. The sheer force of the stone threatened to drive him backward, his boots grinding against splintering rock.

Serene had frozen, her scream cut short as terror rooted her in place. Rugiel moved before thought, lunging toward her, grasping the collar of her armor, and yanking her aside just as a smaller rock smashed into the space she had stood. Serene tumbled safely into the dirt, gasping for breath.

"Move, Dane!" Rugiel shouted.

Dane's face turned a deep shade of purple as he strained against the boulder. His feet skidded, the sheer weight of the stone pushing him perilously close to the edge. His wild eyes flicked to Rugiel. "I can't!"

Panic seized her. The ground beneath Dane's heels cracked, stone crumbling away. The sound of splintering rock filled the air.

Thud!

Stronric crashed into the side of the boulder, using his full weight to knock it aside. The stone shifted, careening off to the side.

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But Dane had already lost his footing.

He teetered.

Then, he fell.

"No!" Rugiel lunged, throwing herself forward. Her hand shot out, fingers grasping wildly. Dane's arm swung up, their hands clasping in a desperate grip.

"I got you!" Armand's voice rang out as he threw himself toward Rugiel's feet. Skidding dangerously close to the ledge, he managed to seize her ankles, anchoring her in place.

Dane grunted as they slammed against the mountainside, his legs kicking against the sheer rock. Rugiel clung to him, her knuckles white.

"Hold on!" she shouted. Armand gritted his teeth, tightening his grip as he started to haul them back over the edge.

Stronric reached them in two strides, gripping Rugiel's belt and pulling with all his might. Inch by inch, they dragged Dane upward until finally, with a final heave, Dane collapsed onto solid ground.

Rugiel landed beside him, gasping for breath. For a long moment, she simply lay there, staring at the dark sky above.

A flicker of movement caught her eye, Kara. The mage stood off to the side, Rugiel's warhammer in hand. With effort, Rugiel pushed herself to her feet and staggered toward her. "Thanks." She extended her hand.

Kara's gaze flicked from Rugiel's hand to her face, her expression unreadable. A beat passed. Then another. Tsk. Kara clicked her tongue, disapproving. Without a word, she let the warhammer drop unceremoniously to the ground and turned on her heel, walking away.

Rugiel stared after Kara, exhaling sharply. So be it.

Stronric turned to Dane, who was still flushed purple, struggling to catch his breath. "I am sorry, my friend."

Dane sucked in another ragged breath, his chest heaving. "Friend!?" He coughed, still gasping. "Sorry!?"

Giles stepped forward, about to speak, but Stronric stopped him with a firm hand to his chest. Their eyes met, and Stronric shook his head. "Oi, I deserve this. I was foolish."

Dane, his breathing finally steadying, braced his hands on his knees before pushing himself upright on shaky legs. His face twisted in fury. "You're damn right you deserve this! You almost killed us! You stunty mutant!"

Rugiel's face darkened with instant fury, but Stronric stopped her with a glance. His gaze met Dane's unwaveringly. "That was yer one. Never speak to me like that again." His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it. "I made a mistake. I accept that. How can I repay ye, to make things even between us?"

Dane let out a harsh, bitter laugh, throwing his hands in the air. "Oh, to make things even? Let's see..." He rubbed his chin mockingly, feigning deep thought. "Oh, I know! How about, hmm, a grand estate in yer little mountain, ponies for my children, and a fine new dress for my wife?"

He sucked in another breath, gearing up to unleash another tirade, when Stronric surprised him.

"Deal."

Dane blinked. "What?"

Stronric extended his hand. "Done. Aye, ye'll have it."

Dane stared at him, his face held an unreadable expression, before shaking his head. With exaggerated sarcasm, he clasped Stronric's hand. "Deal, Thane of the Mountain."

Turning away, he muttered under his breath as he walked off, shaking his head.

Stronric turned back to the rest of the group, arms crossing over his chest. "Ponies for anyone else?"

A few chuckles rippled through them, breaking some of the tension. But Serene stepped forward, her head lowered slightly as she studied the ground. "If the Thane is handing out gifts, I would like to be repaid in gold or a weapon for my younger brother."

Stronric nodded. "Aye, I can do that." He turned his attention to Kara. "Ye?"

Kara sneered and walked away without a word.

"What 'appened up zere, Stronric?" Armand asked as the group started walking back the way Stronric had come from.

"I rounded the next bend and the ground collapsed, I ran back without looking." Stronric replied as they rounded the corner.

"Shite." Was all Stronric could say at they looked at the path.

The path was mostly missing, leaving only a trail of scattered stones to jump across. They would have to cross the destroyed path by hopping from one side to the other. Looking over the edge the base of the mountain seemed even further away than before. Crossing the path would be dangerous. Stronric stepped up to go first when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"If ze Thane does not mind, we will go first." Giles said.

Stronric stepped back and held out his hand to wave them forward.

Armand and Giles exchanged a look, their usual confidence momentarily overshadowed by the severity of the task ahead. The path before them was treacherous, a series of uneven, crumbling stones, stretching across a hundred feet of open air. Below, the abyss seemed to yawn ever wider, eager to claim any who faltered.

Giles rolled his shoulders, exhaling sharply. "Zis is madness, but we have no choice. Stay light on your feet, Armand."

Armand smirked, though there was no humor in it. "Light? You wound me, mon ami. I am ze very essence of grace."

Without further hesitation, Giles took the first leap. His boots barely disturbed the dust on the stone as he landed, instantly pivoting to the next. Armand followed, his balance perfect, his movements fluid. The two men moved in tandem, leaping from stone to stone with the ease of seasoned warriors. Despite the unnatural shifting of the mountain, they made it across with little trouble, landing on the stable ground ahead.

Giles turned, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Dane! Kara! You're next!"

Dane gritted his teeth, still winded from his near fall. "Bloody hell," he muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, let's get this over with."

Kara scoffed. "Try to keep up, tough guy."

The two took off together. Dane was all power, each jump solid but heavy, his boots striking the stones with force. Kara, in contrast, was light and quick, her movements almost feline. Halfway across, a stone beneath Dane's foot cracked ominously, and he cursed, lunging for the next one before it crumbled completely. Kara landed just ahead of him, glancing back with a raised brow. "Told you to keep up."

Dane grunted, making one final leap, landing beside her on solid ground. "If I get a pony, you can't ride it, mage."

Kara just snorted, stepping aside to make room for the next pair.

Serene and Rugiel stepped forward. Serene wiped sweaty palms against her tunic, her eyes darting between the stones. "I... I'm not as quick as they are."

Rugiel placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to be quick. You just have to be careful. Step where I step. I will not let you fall."

Serene swallowed hard, nodding. The two moved forward, Rugiel leading the way. Where the others had been swift, Rugiel was methodical. Each step was measured, each landing firm. Serene, trembling, followed her example, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts. Halfway through, she hesitated, her foot hovering over the next stone. "I can't do this."

Rugiel didn't turn, but her voice was steady, reassuring. "Yes, you can. Keep moving. Do not let fear take root."

Serene took a deep breath and jumped. The stone wobbled beneath her, but she found her balance. Slowly, step by step, they made it across, Serene letting out a shaky exhale as her boots finally met solid ground.

Stronric, still standing at the starting point, watched them all clear the path. He snorted. "Hmph. Took 'em long enough."

With that, he strode forward and jumped. Where the others had moved with caution or grace, Stronric was sheer force and confidence. His heavy frame should have made the journey impossible, but his time on the mountains had taught him how to read the stone. The stones trembled beneath him, yet he never hesitated, never faltered. Step by step, he carved his way across with sheer will.

As he landed on the final ledge, he dusted off his hands and looked at the group. "Well? We just standin' around, or are we getting on with this climb?"

The others chuckled, the tension breaking slightly, their shared relief momentary but welcome. They stood upon a narrow path that cornered sharply, leading them up yet another switchback, mirroring their previous ascent. For a fleeting moment, it seemed they would continue as before, climbing, enduring, pressing onward.

But then, the mountain groaned beneath them once more.

The ground trembled, a deep, resonant quake that set their teeth on edge. Ahead, the path convulsed, warping in ways that defied nature. Instead of the long, sloping incline that had characterized their climb so far, the trail now cut steeply upwards, rising in jagged steps that challenged any who dared to ascend. On either side, sheer stone walls enclosed the path, forming a claustrophobic corridor. Small alcoves lined these walls, each recess marked by strange symbols carved into the rock, glyphs of an unknown language, worn yet eerily untouched by time.

The air thickened, a suffocating pressure pressing down upon them like an unseen hand. It was not just the weight of the mountain, it was something else. A presence loomed, unseen but undeniable, curling at the edges of their perception, watching.

Then, the trembling intensified. The earth beneath them shuddered violently, the vibrations rattling through their bones. A sound like distant thunder rolled down from above, growing louder, closer, relentless.

Something massive was descending.

A rhythmic, deafening slamming echoed through the passage, reverberating off the walls. The very stone seemed to shake in anticipation. Then, from the depths of the winding ascent, a shape emerged, a boulder, impossibly perfect in its roundness, hurtling down the steep incline with terrifying speed.

Its surface was etched with the same ancient symbols that adorned the alcoves, glowing faintly as it spun. It was no mere rock, it was something designed, something unleashed.

The party barely had time to react. The landing they stood upon was too small to maneuver, too narrow to allow for any easy escape. Instinctively, they pressed together, shrinking back against the stone wall as the boulder raced toward them like an executioner's blade.

It thundered past, its immense bulk nearly grazing them, the force of its passing pulling at their cloaks and rattling their bones. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, it felt as though the world had narrowed to nothing but the boulder's crushing momentum.

And then, it was gone.

It hit the edge of the path and, instead of smashing into the rock or shattering upon impact, it simply continued. It plummeted into the open air, swallowed by the abyss below, vanishing as though it had never existed.

Silence fell, thick and oppressive. The only sound was the lingering echo of the mountain's warning, reverberating through the stone.

Something had released that boulder. And whatever it was, it was waiting above.

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