Clash on the Edge

A cold wind swept through the narrow cracks around the cave's mouth, carrying the damp scent of wet stone and earth. Johan stood at the edge of a cliff, leaning slightly against the cave wall to maintain his balance on the precarious ledge. His eyes scanned the vast expanse of the Durin Mountains—a breathtaking view, yet his heart was tense.

His left hand, wrapped in bandages to conceal the stigma of Nidhogg's curse, throbbed violently, as if it were sensing something unnatural. Gritting his teeth, Johan tried to calm the turmoil within him.

"You can come out now," he said in a low, steady voice. His words echoed off the stone walls, cutting through the mountain's silence.

Heavy footsteps sounded from the cave's depths. A towering figure emerged from the shadows, its outline becoming clearer as it stepped into the light that illuminated the narrow ledge.