The mountain did not get colder as Leo climbed.It got quieter.Behind him, the melted canyon steamed beneath the pale sunlight, a strange scar of warmth carved through the frozen domain of the West Core. Rivers of newly created water rushed between the cliffs, sending clouds of vapor toward the sky.Ahead, however, there was nothing.No wind.No snowfall.No sound.The enormous blue citadel remained perfectly still above the clouds.Leo walked toward it.Korath followed several steps behind, his massive broadsword resting against his shoulder.Vanya walked on Leo's opposite side, her silver eyes fixed on the fortress.Neither spoke.Something about the mountain had changed.The moment Leo destroyed the outer defense ring, the West Core had stopped behaving like a natural environment.The blizzard had vanished.The temperature had stabilized.The monsters had disappeared.Even the mountain itself seemed to be holding its breath.Korath finally broke the silence."I don't like this."L