The mountains grew steeper as Emma and Alec pressed on, the frozen air biting into their lungs. Each step felt heavier, the snow growing deeper and the wind cutting like knives. Despite the creature they had faced in the pass, Alec's confidence in the climb remained unshaken, his survival instincts guiding their way.
Emma, on the other hand, felt a weight pressing on her chest—not from the altitude but from the growing realization of the Root's defenses. If the monstrosity in the pass was only the first of many, how would they survive the journey to sever all the nodes?
"You're thinking too much," Alec said without looking back.
Emma blinked, startled. "How can you tell?"
"You get quiet when you're overthinking," Alec replied. "Keep your focus on the path ahead. We'll face what's coming when it comes."
Emma wanted to retort, but his calm demeanor reassured her. He was right; worrying wouldn't help. She adjusted her pack and kept moving, letting the rhythm of their steps ground her thoughts.
The second night in the mountains was eerily silent. Emma and Alec set up camp beneath a rocky overhang, the fire they built barely warming the bitter air. As the flames flickered, Emma found herself staring into the dark, her ears straining for any sign of movement.
The Root's whispers had been absent since their battle with the creature, but now, faint echoes seemed to creep through the stillness.
"You hear that?" she asked quietly.
Alec nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife. "It's the Root. Testing us."
"Testing us?" Emma frowned.
"Everything it's thrown at us so far has been meant to make us doubt. Break our resolve. It doesn't need to beat us outright—just make us give up."
Emma swallowed hard. The thought of the Root as a conscious force, actively working against them, was unsettling.
"It won't work," she said firmly, more to herself than to Alec.
"It better not," Alec replied. "Because the higher we climb, the less room there'll be for second-guessing."
By the third day, they reached the location marked on Finn's map. The node was nestled in a narrow valley between jagged peaks, a place that seemed to defy the natural order.
The air was heavy with an oppressive energy, and the ground beneath their feet pulsed faintly, as if alive. In the center of the valley stood another monolith, this one larger and more intricate than the first. Its surface shimmered with a strange, dark light, and the lines of energy radiating from it were visibly brighter.
"We're here," Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alec crouched beside her, scanning the area. "No sign of more creatures, but that doesn't mean we're alone. We should move quickly."
Emma nodded, stepping cautiously toward the monolith. The whispers returned, louder and more insistent than before.
Turn back.
This is not your place.
You will bring ruin upon them all.
Emma ignored the voices, her focus locked on the monolith. Placing her hands on its cold surface, she felt the surge of energy coursing through it. The Root's power was stronger here, almost overwhelming.
"Whatever you're going to do, do it fast," Alec warned, his eyes scanning the cliffs.
Emma closed her eyes, reaching deep into herself. She let the Root's energy flow through her, not fighting it but redirecting it. The monolith trembled beneath her touch, cracks forming along its surface.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and a deafening roar filled the valley. Alec spun around, his knife drawn.
"Emma! We've got company!"
From the cliffs above, another creature emerged, even larger and more menacing than the first. This one was a towering amalgamation of stone and root, its glowing eyes blazing with fury.
Alec didn't wait for it to strike. He lunged forward, slashing at its legs, but his blade barely scratched the surface. The creature roared, swinging a massive arm that sent Alec flying into the snow.
Emma opened her eyes, panic surging through her as she saw Alec struggle to rise. The monolith was still cracking, but the process was slow. She needed more time.
"Alec!" she shouted. "Keep it busy!"
He coughed, spitting out blood but gave her a grim nod. "Working on it!"
Alec dodged another swing, using the creature's size against it. He led it toward the cliffs, forcing it to navigate the narrow space while he darted in and out, looking for weak points.
Emma focused on the monolith, pouring every ounce of her strength into destabilizing it. The whispers grew louder, screaming in her mind.
You will fail. You are nothing. You cannot stop us.
"I've had enough of you," Emma growled through gritted teeth.
With a final surge of energy, the monolith shattered, its pieces collapsing into the snow. The lines of energy flickered and died, and the oppressive presence in the valley dissipated.
The creature let out a pained roar, its body convulsing as the energy sustaining it faded. It collapsed in a heap, the ground trembling as it fell.
Emma staggered back, her vision swimming. Alec limped over to her, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead.
"Remind me not to volunteer for this kind of thing again," he muttered, offering her a hand.
Emma managed a weak smile, gripping his arm for support. "Thanks for not running."
"I thought about it," Alec admitted, "but then I remembered I'd have to explain myself to Clara."
The journey back to the settlement was slower, both of them nursing injuries. The air felt lighter, the oppressive weight of the Root's influence lessened.
When they finally returned, they were met with a mix of relief and unease. The settlers gathered around, bombarding them with questions.
"Did you do it?"
"What happened out there?"
"Is it over?"
Emma raised her hands for silence. "We took down another node. The Root is weaker, but it's not over yet."
Henry's voice cut through the crowd. "And how much longer until your crusade costs us everything? How many more risks are you willing to take with our lives?"
Emma met his gaze, her exhaustion replaced by determination. "As many as it takes to give us a real chance. If you've got a better plan, Henry, now's the time to share it."
Henry sneered but said nothing, retreating into the shadows.
Clara stepped forward, placing a hand on Emma's shoulder. "You did good," she said quietly.
Emma nodded, but her thoughts were already on the next node. The battle was far from over.