Jade and Princess Genie climbed the steep, rugged path that led to the heart of the mountain, where the first round of the competition would soon take place. The air was crisp and thin, and the faint sounds of rustling leaves and distant birds accompanied their footsteps. As they neared the summit, Genie suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on the vast wetland that sprawled across the mountain's base.
She stared at the wetland for a long moment, her brow furrowed in thought. "Where does this wetland connect to?" she asked, her voice quiet but inquisitive.
Jade, ever observant, followed her gaze and pointed toward the far distance. "I believe it connects to the left hill range over there," he answered, his tone measured.
Genie's eyes lingered on the distant hills as she murmured to herself. "That left hill range, huh..." Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, Jade wasn't sure if she was lost in thought or silently analyzing the terrain.
Then, without warning, a spark of realization lit up her eyes. "Aha!" she exclaimed, a sudden burst of excitement in her voice. Her face brightened, and Jade watched as her mind raced through the possibilities.
"This mountain is steep, but there are no major obstacles, and the view is wide. It's the perfect spot for a battle," she said, her tone taking on a strategic edge. "The outcome of a battle here could be decided by the strength of the troops and the quality of weapons. But…" She paused for a beat, eyes narrowing as she thought through the terrain more carefully. "If we use that hill range connected to the wetland, we could easily win."
Jade's interest piqued as he listened intently, watching her carefully. Genie's enthusiasm was contagious.
"By utilizing the wetland and the forested areas to build a field fortress and ambush the enemy, we could catch them off guard. Then, we can rush them when they approach."
Without waiting for confirmation, Genie's feet were already moving, and she dashed to the left, heading toward the wetland's edge. Jade immediately followed her, trying to keep pace with her quick movements.
"Now, look here," she continued, her voice steady and focused as she pointed to various areas of the mountain. "We can build a field fortress along the wetland's edge and lie in ambush. The enemy will almost certainly charge from that side. We just need one commander to climb that hill, where the enemy will be in clear sight. They can confirm the enemy's approach and report it to us."
She spoke with such conviction that Jade found himself envisioning the entire battlefield unfolding in front of him.
"Your Highness," he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice, "how do you know all of this?"
Genie turned to him, a proud smile spreading across her face. "I attended a military strategy course in Arabia," she said, her smile growing wider. "I was the top student in that class."
The Princess's smile was confident, almost radiant, and her pride was evident. Jade couldn't help but smile as well, his admiration for her growing by the second. The brilliance in her eyes and the strategic mind she wielded were a testament to the strength she had cultivated over the years.
The rain, which had been expected to be a mere light shower, suddenly intensified, pouring down in torrents. What had started as a gentle drizzle quickly turned into a relentless downpour, the muddy waters from the mountain rushing downhill with force. The earth seemed to come alive under the rain, as the landscape transformed into a treacherous, slippery expanse.
Jade and Princess Genie, soaked to the bone, darted toward the nearest eaves of a rocky outcrop, seeking refuge from the furious rain.
"Your Highness," Jade said, his voice barely audible over the sound of the storm, "it seems dangerous to descend the mountain now." He wiped the rain from his face, his drenched clothes clinging to him as he looked at the princess, concern etched across his features.
Genie nodded grimly, her hair plastered to her face. "Yes, I think you're right. Let's wait for a little while."
"Alright," Jade replied, his expression resigned. "Let's wait a little."
They huddled beneath the eaves, the storm continuing its assault on the mountain. The wind howled, and the rain showed no signs of relenting.
Time passed slowly, with nothing but the sound of the storm filling the air. The darkness crept in as the sun sank behind the horizon, and soon, the mountain was shrouded in an impenetrable blackness.
"It looks like the rain won't stop anytime soon," Genie murmured, her voice tinged with concern.
Jade glanced up at the dark sky, the storm's intensity only increasing. The first round of the competition was scheduled to begin before dawn the next morning. That meant they needed to return to the palace, share their strategies with the army, and give final instructions. Time was running out.
Jade's gaze softened as he looked at the princess. He could see the worry in her eyes, the urgency beneath her calm demeanor. He took a deep breath, then spoke with newfound determination.
"Your Highness," he said, his voice firm, "I'm afraid we can't wait any longer. It's too dangerous. I will carry you down the mountain."
Genie shook her head quickly, her eyes widening as she flustered. "No, it's fine. I'll be careful and make my way down myself."
Before Jade could protest, she had already begun her descent through the torrential rain, moving cautiously but steadily. Jade hesitated for only a moment before following closely behind, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew this was no time for hesitation—he couldn't risk her safety.
The mountain, once an imposing yet manageable challenge, now felt like an unforgiving slope of mud and slick stone. Every step was a struggle, the heavy rain making the path slippery and treacherous. The darkness seemed to amplify the danger, and Jade's mind raced as he focused on keeping close to the Princess.
Genie moved carefully, her feet slipping more than once, her face tense with concentration. The uneven terrain and thick mud made it nearly impossible to keep her balance. It wasn't long before she stumbled, her foot slipping into a deep hole formed by the rainwater. Her body pitched forward, her arms flailing.
"Ahh!!!" she cried out in alarm, her voice piercing the storm.
"Your Highness!" Jade shouted, his heart leaping in his chest. In an instant, he lunged forward, reaching her just before she could fall. He caught her tightly in his arms, his grip firm and strong.
The world seemed to spin for a moment, the storm swirling around them as they teetered on the edge of the mountain. But Jade's instincts kicked in, and he held her close, determined to protect her. Yet, the very mountain they were trying to navigate seemed to conspire against them. The ground beneath their feet shifted, sending them both tumbling downward.
The steep incline became a blur of rain and mud as they fell helplessly down the mountainside, the world spinning in a chaotic whirl of dark shadows and crashing water.
Through the rain, Jade's heart raced. He could feel the weight of the Princess in his arms, her warmth and fragility a stark contrast to the brutal storm. The mountain seemed to drag them deeper into its merciless embrace, but Jade clung to the hope that they could find a way to stop their fall.
"Your Highness!" Jade shouted urgently, his voice cracking through the storm as he struggled to steady her. His arms were around her, holding her tightly as they continued their uncontrollable tumble down the mountain.
His mind raced, heart pounding in his chest, but all he could focus on was the princess—her fragile form in his arms. The world was a blur of rain, mud, and darkness, and the rough terrain beneath them showed no mercy.
They rolled helplessly, the jagged rocks and sharp branches grazing their skin as they fell. Jade's thoughts were frantic, his focus entirely on Genie's safety. Finally, as if by sheer will, Jade reached out and grabbed a tree, the rough bark digging into his hands as he braced against the force of their fall. With a strained grunt, he managed to halt their descent, stopping just inches from the sheer drop that lay below.
"Your Highness!" Jade called again, his voice laced with desperation.
His hands trembled as he cupped Genie's face, his fingers brushing against her wet skin. He could feel the steady pulse of blood dripping from his palms—his own blood, staining her face as he touched her. His heart sank with a sickening weight as he stared down at her, his chest tight with fear.
"Your Highness… Your Highness!" He shook her gently, trying to rouse her, but her body remained limp, her breathing shallow. Panic surged within him, and a wave of helplessness washed over him.
Without thinking, his instincts kicked in. In one swift motion, he gathered her into his arms and carefully lifted her onto his back. She was barely conscious, but he could feel the weight of her body pressing against his, and it only fueled his determination to save her.
"Your Highness…!" he muttered through gritted teeth, his breath coming in quick, heavy gasps. "Please, just a little longer... I'll get you out of here."
With a final, painful breath, Jade forced himself to move, his muscles aching from the exertion, the pain in his own body numbing beneath the intensity of the moment. The storm raged on, the rain beating down in relentless sheets, but all Jade could think of was getting her back to safety.
The dark mountain stretched before them, the way forward uncertain, but Jade refused to stop. He could feel her delicate breath against his back, could hear the faint whispers of her voice, and that small sound was all he needed to push through the crushing weight of exhaustion.
"Just hold on," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the storm. "We're almost there."
With every step, he carried her through the rain, moving deeper into the night, driven by the sheer force of his will to protect her. The mountain seemed to close in on them, but Jade's focus never wavered. He would get them through this, no matter what.