Above the cloud line, the road narrowed into a series of exposed switchbacks.
Cold wind swept across the bare stone and pressed Martin toward the mountain wall. To his right, the slope fell away into a white expanse, and the cloud cover made the drop look bottomless.
Rias climbed several paces ahead without slowing. Wind snapped the hem of her black coat and whipped loose strands of red hair across her face. Whenever the road split around a shelf of stone, she checked the carved signs before choosing a route.
Martin glanced back down the road, though Endless Rain had disappeared beneath the clouds several turns ago. Angel remained safely inside her pocket dimension. Before leaving, he and Rias had agreed that summoning her anywhere near Just Die after the attack on Kumoe would be reckless. Martin had explained the danger to Angel and asked her to stay inside until they returned.
