Follow the bells they said and ring each one on your way to the top.

I had rang nine of them. The snow prints had proved it and will continue to prove it for as long as the air remains still or for as long as the sun doesn’t burn too bright. My blades sheathed, I tuck them in tight and wrap a scarf around my face. One bell left.

The path to the mountain opened up, the sun blazing behind it. Swallowing the cold air. My hair tied and tucked behind my ear. I brush it back stroking my scar in the process. The scar in the shape of The Bell Society’s emblem. I was theirs until all the bells had rung loud and true. My task however, wouldn’t be straight forward.

The path became straight and in front of the glare of the sun it showed itself.

The tenth bell.

The air became quiet and so did my thoughts. The end was so close now. Taking longer strides, I had lost my patience. I wanted to ring this bell as quickly as possible and leave from this treacherous mountain.

It’s too quiet.

A slow rumble followed by a series of loud thuds. The ground shook me into fear. We all feel fear, but I’ve realised fear isn’t the enemy. Fear makes you strong.

A shriek echoed out and deafened me. I wrap my scarf tighter around my ears with one hand and unsheathe my katana with the other.

Giant. Drooling blood from its teeth, painting the snow red. The ape leaps up in front of the bell from behind it and roars an even louder roar. The only thing now stopping me from ringing this bell. I drop my scarf down to my neck and grab the other sword from its sheathe. A red katana given to me by my father, holding all the strength of my ancestors.

This ape will die.

With both katanas by my side, I spring towards the foul beast. Jumping up towards its neck and plunging both my katanas towards its neck.

One swipe. I flew to the ground and thanked the snow for cushioning my fall. This wasn’t going to be an easy fight…