Chapter 57: Wind Channel

Kaze no Montagari chuckled from the top of the mountain, looking down at Soujin."Tell me, Soujin—are you simply climbing this mountain, or are you fighting it?"

Soujin gritted his teeth. "What kind of question is that? I’m trying to make it to the top!"

Kaze no Montagari’s gaze sharpened. "Then you’re already making the same mistake."

Another blast of wind struck from below but this time, Soujin felt it coming. He braced by pulling his sword free from the side of the mountain and twisting midair just as the current tried to drag him down. He landed on the rock wall and caught a hold of a narrow ledge.

Kaze no Montagari’s voice echoed through the storm.

"You think this mountain exists to be conquered. That the wind exists to be controlled."

The dragon’s wings flared.

"You are wrong."

Soujin took a breath, steadying himself against the ledge.

"Am I fighting the mountain?"