The group soon reached the mountain area. Big peaks surrounded them on all sides. It was like a wall. The mountains were tall and steep. Their rocky surfaces rose high into the sky. From where they stood it seemed impossible to pass through.
Haruto looked ahead. He frowned a bit as he studied the stone walls blocking their path.
"How are we supposed to cross this?" he asked. He looked at the others.
Before anyone else could say anything Emi Tanaka stepped forward. She had a smile on her face.
"Don't worry " she said confidently. "I know a path that will take us through."
Without waiting for more questions she started walking toward one side of the mountain. The others followed closely behind her. She stopped in front of a boulder. It was resting against the wall. At glance the stone looked ordinary.
However below it there was a smaller stone in the ground.
Emi crouched down. She put her hand on the rock. Then she pushed it.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four times.
For a moment nothing happened.
Then the ground shook a bit. A low rumbling sound echoed through the mountain pass. The big boulder slowly started to move to the side. Dust and small rock pieces fell as the hidden mechanism moved.
Behind the stone a narrow entrance appeared.
"Come on " Emi said. She stepped forward.
One by one they entered the passage. Soon as the last person stepped through the big stone slid back into its original position. It sealed the entrance behind them.
Inside it was dark.
The narrow tunnel stretched forward into the mountain. The thick darkness made it hard to see a few steps ahead.
Nao Tanaka moved to the front of the group. She raised one hand. She started to chant. A moment later a small ball of fire formed above her palm. It glowed brightly. It lit up the passage around them.
The fireball floated gently in the air. It cast light across the rocky walls.
With the path finally visible Nao started walking
Emi followed behind her. Haruto, Miyuki and the others moved quietly after them.
The tunnel continued deeper through the mountain. It wound slightly as they walked. The air inside was cool and still. The only sounds were their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls.
After minutes of walking the darkness ahead started to fade.
Soon they reached the side of the mountain.
As they stepped outside the cool night air greeted them.
The sky above was dark. The soft glow of the moon lit it up. Haruto and Miyuki both stopped suddenly. Their eyes widened in surprise at the sight before them.
Hidden within the mountains was a village.
Not far from the entrance stood a lake. Its calm surface reflected the silver moonlight like a mirror. The peaceful water shimmered gently with every ripple.
Beyond the lake the village spread across an open area. It was surrounded entirely by towering mountains. The peaks formed a wall around the settlement. It protected it from the world.
Warm lights glowed throughout the village. Magical flames floated above posts and buildings. They cast a soft orange glow across the streets.
From a distance the entire village looked peaceful. It looked strangely beautiful.
The group started walking toward it.
As they approached Haruto noticed that the people living there were not humans. Many of them had animal ears, tails, horns or other unique features.
They were demi-humans.
The moment the villagers noticed Haruto the atmosphere changed a bit.
Some of them looked at him with fear. Others whispered quietly to one another. A few parents quickly pulled their children closer. They guided them away as Haruto passed.
The stares followed him as they walked through the market area.
Haruto felt the tension immediately.
Seeing his expression Emi spoke gently beside him.
"Don't worry " she said quietly. "Everyone here came to this village after losing their families.. They were attacked by humans. For them this is the safe place left."
She paused for a moment before continuing."That's why many of them hate humans." Haruto remained silent. He listened.
Emi glanced at him briefly."But long as you're with us they won't harm you."
She then looked ahead again. They continued walking through the village.
"Things weren't always like this " she said after a moment. "In the past we traded with the kingdom. Demi-humans and humans lived peacefully together. We welcomed them. We trusted them."
Her voice grew colder."But after the war began… everything changed."
She clenched her hands slightly.
"They captured our people. They turned them into slaves. To them demi-humans weren't people anymore. We were nothing than property… pets they could control."
Haruto listened silently. They walked deeper into the village. The flickering light of flames reflected across the quiet streets.
Around them the mountains stood tall. They were like guardians. They shielded the hidden village, from the world beyond.
As they continued walking through the streets of the village Miyuki suddenly slowed her steps. She turned slightly toward Haruto. The soft glow of the fire magic lit up her expression.
"If anyone here knows where my teacher lives " she said calmly "then we should be able to find her."