Mt. Firmament loomed ahead, its jagged silhouette stark against the pale sky, just as frigid today as it had been yesterday—and the day before that. The relentless chill seemed to seep into your very bones, creating a suffocating sense of monotony that wrapped around you tighter than the biting wind.

As you trudged through the deep, powdery snow, the crunch beneath your feet echoed like a ghostly reminder of your solitude. Flakes drifted lazily from the overcast sky, landing softly on your head and shoulders, each chill momentarily distracting from the gnawing discomfort that clung to you like a second skin. The cold didn't just scratch at you; it caressed you with a cruel intimacy, as if the very air was mocking your vulnerability.

Eventually, exhaustion clawed at you, and you sank behind a massive rock—a sentinel that had borne witness to countless storms. Curling your knees to your chest, you wrapped your arms around them for warmth, shivering despite the gesture. You took a deep, quivering breath, feeling the tremors spread from your lips down to your core. A swirl of emotions roiled in your stomach, heavy and tumultuous, dragging you down into the depths of despair.

Then, without warning, small tears began to spill from your eyes, each drop striking the snow below with a soft thud, seemingly merging with the whiteness that surrounded you. With every tear that fell, the air felt even more frigid—as though the mountain itself responded to your sorrow. The landscape around you perched on the edge of a darker reality, amplifying your isolation, when suddenly, a sound broke through the silence.

Your heart raced as a large claw appeared just beyond the rock’s edge, its formidable presence sent a shiver climbing up your spine. A face emerged, regal and imposing—Jue. Their enormous form towered over you, a blend of awe and intimidation.

“Mortal love,” they said, their voice a resonant harmony that vibrated through the cold air, both soothing and unnerving.