Chapter 158
Kane's POV
As evening fell, the column crested the final ridge. I looked up and saw the Granite Ranges in their entirety for the first time—the silhouette resembled a wolf at rest, mountain peaks forming its spine, extending ridges like forelegs, the valley mouth shaped like a wolf's maw.
"The legends are true..." an elder in the column marveled. "The Stone Ridge ancestors reshaped an entire mountain range with earth element magic."
Dorothy gripped my hand tight, her voice tinged with awe. "It's magnificent... but so lonely."
Steven surveyed our surroundings with vigilance, his voice low. "This terrain is easy to defend, hard to attack. If they refuse us entry..."
He didn't finish, but I understood. My hand unconsciously tightened around Dorothy's, both awed by the Stone Ridge Pack's power and afraid of being turned away.
"Keep moving," I ordered, my voice steadier than I expected.
The column began entering the echo valley. The narrow gorge was flanked by nearly vertical rock walls a hundred meters high, the valley floor wide enough for only ten to walk abreast. The walls were covered in runic carvings that flickered with an earthy yellow glow.
Our footsteps and voices produced multiple echoes in the canyon, as if countless eyes watched from the darkness.
The runes on the walls seemed to "breathe," their light waxing and waning as we approached.
Children hid behind their mothers in fear. I saw several young warriors instinctively tighten their grips on their weapons, veins bulging on the backs of their hands.
"These runes..." Dorothy observed the walls. "It's like they're watching us."
I felt Blaze growl deep in my consciousness—an instinctive reaction to encountering powerful forces.
These runes were indeed watching us—no, evaluating us.
At the canyon's end stood a stone gate thirty meters high, carved entirely from a single block of rock. The gate was covered in complex earth element runes, with a wolf totem at its center. The seam was perfectly flush, showing no mechanism for opening. The gate radiated an oppressive weight, as if bearing the burden of a thousand years of history.
The elder stepped forward, his voice trembling with excitement. "Legend says beyond the stone gate lies a direct path to Iron Bastion inside the mountain—a fortress carved entirely into the mountain itself, the Stone Ridge Pack's stronghold."
I tentatively reached out to touch the gate. A force of rejection emanated from within, numbing my arm. Blaze warned in my consciousness: "There's a powerful will behind this gate."
Steven came to my side, his expression grave. "Alpha, our supplies will only last three more days at most."
I took a deep breath and walked to the gate. I shouted with all my strength: "I am Kane, Alpha of the Lightning Wolf Pack! I bring my people to seek sanctuary with the Stone Ridge!"
The sound echoed through the canyon in layers, continuing for nearly a minute before gradually fading. The runes on the walls flickered briefly, then fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, waiting. The stone gate didn't move.
I gritted my teeth and raised my voice again: "The Blood River Pack has destroyed Thunder Canyon! Their leader Louis wields the power of lightning and bone spears that counter elemental magic! Their ambition won't stop—Stone Ridge Pack, you'll become their target sooner or later!"
The echo reverberated through the canyon, but the gate remained unresponsive.
I heard suppressed sobbing behind me.
I took a deep breath and spoke a third time: "On the Wall of Sighs, you guided us here! We're not begging for charity—we've come to stand and fight beside you!"
The canyon fell into dead silence again. I could hear my own ragged breathing.
My throat burned, but I forced myself to call out a fourth time.
This time my voice was hoarse, as if scraped by razor blades: "My father Ivan once guarded the lightning element! My grandfather Frank gave his life protecting these people! We are the last bloodline of the Lightning Wolf Pack—we won't beg on our knees! But if the Stone Ridge chooses to stand aside, then wait for Blood River to raze your Iron Bastion to the ground!"
As my words fell, I could barely stand. I tasted blood in my throat.
The column's condition had deteriorated to the extreme. Leah held Toby, her eyes filled with despair. Several elders sat against the rock walls, unable to rise again.
Dorothy came to my side and took my hand. "Don't give up, Kane. Maybe they need more time to consider."
She turned to help distribute the last of our food and water.
Steven approached, speaking bluntly. "Alpha, we may need to prepare for the worst."