The mountains stretched endlessly beyond what Raiden could fathom. They moved through the frozen landscape, hands brushing against each other for warmth as they fought to steady their breathing in the hostile atmosphere.
Raiden warmed his palms again and again, cupping them against his cheeks as his thoughts wandered. They'd been trudging through the cold for almost an hour now, with no trace of the Reader anywhere.
But as he forced himself onward, a sudden jolt of sensation struck his chest. He pressed his hand against it, feeling the irregular thrum of his heartbeat.
The realization hit him immediately—beyond his confusion and desperation, he wasn't scared enough to justify this frantic rhythm.
He struck his own cheek, snapping himself back to focus. There were deeper layers to this realm, and he had to remain agile. Maybe everything they were experiencing was a test from the Reader.
