"Here, we should be safe," Primrose said, out of breath.
Before them loomed colossal peaks of snow and ice. Their frozen faces glared down from dizzying heights. The landscape was ruthless, even more forbidding than when Asahi had first arrived. Jagged precipices stabbed at the sky. Stone towers either slumbered beneath thick ice or jutted defiantly above the drifts.
"Where are we?" Asahi said after going silent.
Trid cast a wary glance at the spires, strode through the narrow passage, and paused near the looming castles. He folded his arms and let out a low grunt, signaling his unease as they gathered their bearings in the unfamiliar terrain.
"Check your map. Speaks for itself."
He unrolled the map, revealing the words Tower Valley etched across its surface. With a quick motion, he snapped it shut and squeezed his eyes closed. He had thought he heard the voice of his sister.
"Aletha, where are you?"
But no one replied; there was just silence.
