Vision and Dilemma

West of Ashwick, deep within the uncharted wilderness of the Ironvale Mountains.

Lately, this untouched land had seen an unusual influx of people.

They came in all manner of dress—some in sharp business suits, others in formal wear, casual street fashion, or even monk-like robes.

Yet, despite their differences, they all had the same destination: the towering cliff at the mountain's peak.

Beyond that cliff, a single iron chain, no thicker than an adult's arm, stretched into the mist-covered abyss. It swayed gently in the wind, disappearing into the sea of clouds.

The travelers, arriving in small groups, stepped onto the chain one after another, vanishing into the fog as if swallowed by the sky itself.

A few days ago, if Ethan had been here, he would've witnessed something shocking—Lyla, escorted by two individuals, stepping onto that very chain and disappearing into the unknown.

But right now, Ethan wasn't in the mountains.