Their legs hurt with every step, but there was a strange comfort in the steady rhythm of walking. The mountains, though rough and unforgiving, were slowly starting to feel more familiar as they moved closer to the top. With each step, Xavier began to feel the weight of his worries—Avalanche, his betrayal, Mara—fade a little into the background.

  It was extremely cold, but the wind seemed to calm down with every step they took. After a while, Xavier could see the faint outline of the hotel in the distance. It was a dark, beautiful building standing tall in the harsh mountain environment, like a watchful guardian. Its strong stone walls proved how tough it was, built to survive anything nature threw at it—a symbol of human strength in a wild, empty place.

  "You doing okay back in the cave?" Marcus called, glancing over his shoulder at Xavier, who was carefully navigating the icy path.

  Xavier nodded tiredly, too worn out to say much. As the mountain’s peak came into view, his mind wandered back to Mara and Kieran. His heart ached with the sting of their betrayal. Mara... what were you thinking? he wondered.

  As they neared the hotel, Xavier began to hear the sounds of laughter and conversation, the voices carried by the quiet wind. The doors stood wide open, and warm light poured out, inviting them inside to its comfort.

  Marcus led the way through the heavy wooden doors, with Xavier and the women following behind. When Xavier stepped inside, his breath caught as the warmth surrounded him, like a thick blanket offering much-needed comfort.

  The grand entrance hall of the hotel was truly impressive. High wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, and large wooden windows provided a stunning view of the snow-covered mountains below. The walls were decorated with tapestries and old paintings, giving the place a timeless, cozy feel. The smell of roasted meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Xavier’s stomach growl with hunger. The crackling sound of the fire, roaring like a flame-breathing dragon, only added to the feeling of comfort.

  A few people were sitting at the wooden tables scattered around the room. They looked like adventurers or travelers who had come to enjoy the snow. Some were laughing and chatting, while others were quietly enjoying their meals.

  Xavier felt a twinge of envy as he watched them. They seemed so... at ease. It was strange because this place, this moment, was the result of everything they had worked so hard for. Surrounded by warmth, they could finally find a brief escape from the harsh reality outside.

  "Come inside," Marcus said in his calming yet serious voice. Xavier followed him into the large room, still lost in his thoughts.

  "Lily!" a woman called out in a sharp voice.

  Xavier turned to see another woman already inside. So her name is Lily, he thought to himself.

  "When I heard the news about the avalanche on the radio, I panicked," the woman said. "I thought you guys were stuck in there."

  Lily smiled at her, then removed her coat and hung it on a chair. Marcus had already sat down at the table, starting to eat to warm himself up.

  Xavier was still standing by the door when Lily’s gaze met his. She looked at him closely, not judging by his appearance. "Where did you find him?" she asked.

  "Marcus found him hanging from a tree while looking for a way out," Lily replied, settling into a seat next to Marcus.

  "Sit down, gentleman," Marcus said, gesturing for Xavier to sit next to him. "You need to get something warm into you."

  Xavier glanced at the warm food on the table, suddenly realizing just how hungry he was. The only food he’d had in what felt like days was the cake he’d given Lily. Without a second thought, he sat down at the table, feeling thankful for the chance to eat. The only sounds in the room were the clinking of plates and the faint news playing on the radio.

  "Tessa," she said with a cheerful smile, extending her hand. "Tessa Moore."

  Xavier returned her smile and shook her hand. Just then, Marcus placed a pot of hot stew in front of him. He eagerly dug in, the warmth of the stew spreading through him with each bite. It wasn’t anything fancy, but to Xavier, it felt like the best meal he had ever tasted. His stomach, which had been growling for so long, finally settled, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget everything—forget Mara. His world felt calm and still, just for a moment.

  But not everyone shared that same peace. Especially Tessa Moore. Xavier could already tell one thing about her—she talked a lot, and non-stop. She started telling them about the conditions in the mountains after the avalanche, sharing what she’d read on the internet and giving suggestions on how they could deal with it.

  "What's your name?" a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Sorry, I forgot to ask."

  But what really caught Xavier’s attention wasn’t Tessa’s question. It was the news on the radio.

  "So this just in: The biggest heist in the history of Japan, shaking the world of archaeology and treasure hunting to its core. Yes, we’re talking about the theft of a 50 million-dollar amulet of the Dragon King, taken from its legendary tomb."

  The thieves—Kieran Hale, Xavier Blackwell, and Mara Wexley—were all dangerous grave robbers who managed to unearth an ancient tomb that the archaeological team had been struggling to reach. Hidden deep in the Forgotten Snowy Mountains, the tomb had been sealed off for centuries, its entrance blocked by deadly traps and mysterious forces. But the thieves managed to break through.

  What they found, however, was not gold or jewels, but an amulet worth 50 million dollars. Sources say the police have already arrested Mara Wexley and Kieran Hale, but Xavier is still missing, and authorities are investigating his disappearance.

  "Stay tuned for more updates about the Dragon King..." the news continued.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Tessa's voice cut through Xavier's thoughts. "What is your name, Mister?" She waved her hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention.

  "Huh?!" Xavier blinked twice, snapping out of his daze.

  "Vee." He swallowed hard, struggling to focus. His mind was still foggy, and he could barely remember his name, let alone tell her.

  The news brought everything flooding back. Mara is arrested, Xavier thought, feeling a sharp pain in his heart. It was as if the past had suddenly caught up with him. His mind raced, replaying the events like an old film reel—the betrayal, the adventure, and the amulet.

  "V… V for vibe?" Tessa teased him, a playful glint in her eyes as she leaned closer.

  Xavier swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. "V. E. E. Vee," he corrected her, hoping his voice would hide the tension swirling inside him. She nodded and turned her attention to her bowl of noodles.

  Xavier took a deep breath, trying to appear normal, though his mind was far from calm. But for now, he was safe—and that was enough.

  "Well, we'll rest today, and tomorrow we’ll head south through the Adirondack Mountains to Egypt," Marcus said, his voice steady but tired, as he pulled his worn jacket tighter around his shoulders. His eyes were fixed ahead, but his mind seemed distant, lost in thoughts that no one could predict. The cold wind blew in through the windows, sending a chill across the room.

  He looked at Xavier, his gaze narrowing slightly, as if studying him carefully. "Are you...?"

  "I'll join in," Xavier said without hesitation, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart. Lily and Tessa exchanged curious glances, clearly surprised by his decision. Xavier took a deep breath to calm himself. He had no choice but to go with them. Going back to New York was not an option. He couldn’t risk being arrested for a crime he didn’t commit.

  "I mean, I was actually heading to Egypt myself, but got stuck in an avalanche," he added, gesturing toward his weathered pack lying on the bed. "Look, I have a bag too. So, if you don’t mind, can I join you?"

  Marcus let out a long breath, clearly unsure of what to say. He turned to Lily, who had already left the room without a word. After a brief moment, he followed her, the tension in the air thick and uncomfortable. Xavier knew they had questions, but he wasn’t ready to answer them—not yet.

  After some time, Xavier and Tessa finally came out, their footsteps echoing in the cold, silent hall.

  "Since you’re joining us, let’s start fresh!" Tessa said, practically bouncing with excitement. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and it helped to ease the tension between them. She smiled brightly, eager to break the awkward silence. "I’m Tessa Moore, a journalist and paranormal investigator from Brazil. And that angry bird," she said, pointing towards the direction where Lily and Marcus had gone, her finger cutting through the crisp air, "is Lily Yamaguchi, a skilled diver and marine biologist from Japan. And that old man, Marcus Donovan—he’s a former soldier and survivalist in Alaska."

  Xavier smiled, taking in their introductions with a thoughtful gaze. His mind was already racing, considering his new adventurer companions—who were soon going to replace Mara and Kieran in his thoughts.

  ‘A former soldier and Alaska survivalist,’ Xavier thought about Marcus’s past. ‘No wonder he knows so much about mountains.’

  Tessa’s voice interrupted his thoughts. "And about you?" She repeated her question, her green eyes peering over the glasses as she waited for him to answer.

  Xavier blinked and looked back at her. "Yeah, I’m Vee... and... well, I’m an avalanche survivalist for now." He shrugged, unsure of how much to say at this point.

  Tessa burst into laughter. "You... you really have the best experience to join our team!"

  Xavier glanced at her, unsure of how to respond. His mind was still processing everything—these strangers, their group, and the journey ahead.

  "So, tomorrow, if we get stuck in another avalanche, you're going to save us—MR. AVALANCHE SURVIVALIST!!" Tessa joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief, but there was a hint of seriousness in Xavier's gaze when she met his eyes.

  "I’d like to think I can hold my own," Xavier replied, trying to match her humor. "But let's hope it doesn’t come to that, right?"

  Xavier raised an eyebrow, wanting to change the topic. "So, you all are friends... or just an adventurer team?" He couldn’t help himself from asking. His thoughts briefly drifted to his own friends. Whatever had happened between them, he still missed them. The longing for familiar faces hung in the air, lingering between their words.

  Tessa hesitated, a smile tugging at her lips as she glanced away, lost in her own memories. "Lily and I are friends... high school friends," she said softly. "She's actually from Japan, but her father moved to Brazil a few years back and..."

  "And Marcus—he’s your friend too?" Xavier interrupted, curious.

  Tessa paused, then shook her head slightly. "Well, Marcus was our guide. I mean, Lily's father hired him to guide us through these mountains. So, technically, you could say he's our friend. But he's different. He keeps to himself a lot and doesn't talk much about the past."

  Xavier nodded slowly, absorbing her words. He glanced around and noticed tourists making their way towards their rooms for the night. The mountains loomed in the fading light of dusk, standing tall like silent sentinels. They stood there for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view. The last rays of the sun painted the mountain peaks in warm gold and orange hues, casting long shadows that stretched across the snow-covered ground.

  After a few moments, Marcus’s silhouette appeared in the distance. Lily, already ahead of him, moved with quick, determined steps, as if eager to rest before the next day's trek.

  Tessa gave Xavier a brief, acknowledging glance before they began walking back toward the warmth of their rooms. The air was crisp, biting at their skin as they gathered around the fire to discuss plans for the next part of their journey.

  "We move fast, but we stay smart," Marcus said in his low yet firm voice. He glanced at Xavier. "Double-check the climbing gear."

  Xavier nodded and picked up the ropes, ice packs, and crampons, carefully inspecting each piece of gear. "Got it, Marcus," he replied, passing over the climbing equipment without a word of resistance. Despite his own experience, he was starting to trust Marcus’s leadership more than ever.

  Lily, ever the practical one, was organizing the supplies on the floor. Her brown eyes were focused as she packed extra rations. "We can't rely too much on the environment for food," she said, her voice steady. "These snowstorms will make it harder to track anything." She stuffed high-protein energy bars into a waterproof pouch and grabbed the first-aid kit, double-checking the contents—bandages, antiseptic, painkillers, and extra thermal blankets just in case.

  Tessa was digging through a chest of old supplies, looking for anything that could be useful. She pulled out a small, hand-crank flashlight and a flare gun, tucking them into her pack. Xavier moved closer to Lily, helping her with her gear. He adjusted her woolen scarf and secured her pack. "Stay safe and warm, Lily," he said softly. "The snow's coming in heavy, and if we're caught in another avalanche, we need to make sure we can survive the cold until rescue."

  "Yeah, she'll stay safe," Marcus said, stepping in and stopping between Xavier and Lily. His eyes locked onto Xavier’s, and for a moment, Xavier felt as if Marcus was peering into his very soul. "That’s why I’m here."

  Xavier shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah... no... I mean, I was just concerned since she saved me." He cleared his throat, trying to shift the conversation. "I already have a girlfriend, just in case you get me wrong."

  Tessa noticed the grim expression on Marcus's face. She took a deep breath and set her bag aside. "We're going to make it," she said in her firm voice, though there was fear in her heart. "We have to make it, no matter what, because we have no other option." She paused, meeting their eyes. "We just need to stick together. We’ve got each other’s backs, right?"

  Lily looked at her and gave a slight nod. "Yeah, right. Together, we’ll get through this."

  But the next morning didn’t rise as expected. They faced the snowstorm, but they thought they could push through it—at least that’s what they believed. Not until they stumbled upon eight frozen corpses, their bodies stiff in the snow.