Somji, Kimji, and Nimji put on their suits. Nimji had some extra potion left; he sprayed some on himself and the others before grabbing their stuff and stuffing it inside his suit.

Now their next big challenge:

• Find the Hantens.
  
  

• Find the pearls.
  
  

• Free Mounchioun.
  
  

And they had no clue how. They could somehow figure out the last two steps, but finding the Hantens would be hard.

Nimji took out Mounchioun’s research from his bag stuffed inside his suit. He tried to keep the papers organized, but papers flew everywhere and they all got mixed up. He did find something, though:

“The Hantens sweep through valleys deep,
Where shadows crawl, and echoes weep.
They haunt the peaks of Shi’s dark throne,
Cold winds whisper their names alone.
Fighting skies with fury bold,
Their reign is fear, their hearts are cold.”

Nimji read the poem written on a page that looked like it was ripped from a storybook.

“Umm… wait a minute, d-do the Hantens live on the MOUNTAIN OF SHI?!” said Somji.

“THAT’S BAD,” said Kimji.

“REALLY BAD,” said Nimji.

“If they already have the pearls… there is no way we will reach it before the ritual to unlock the dragon is done!!!”

Nimji was sitting with his head in his hands, Kimji was walking in anxious circles, and Somji was hovering above them nervously.

“WE CAN’T GIVE UP! WE HAVE TO AT LEAST TRY!!!”

They packed up and left the hut faster than the whooshing wind.

The suit only allowed them to move on all fours. Their natural instincts kicked in, following a map ripped from a folktale book, and they started to run on all fours, saving time to reach the Mountain.

Somji had the top half of her suit off so she could fly faster to the destination.

They kept flying and running and flying—non-stop.

On the other hand, the Hantens were setting up the ritual and guarding the surroundings. They had sent their little friend to spy on Kimji, Nimji, and Somji.

Because Somji had her suit off, the vultu—oh, I mean, the little friend—figured out their disguises.

By the time they reached the mountain, they were gasping for breath, their chests heaving as if their lungs might burst from the relentless sprinting.

Their chins lifted to uphold the humongous mountain.

“WE HAVE TO CLIMB THAT!!!??” said Kimji, huffing and puffing.

“I-I GUESS SO,” said Nimji, collapsing on the floor.

Meanwhile, Somji was dangling off of Kimji’s shoulder.

“MYYY WINGS ARE SOOOOO TIREDDDD UGHHHHH,” said Somji.

“WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING!!”

They began climbing up the mountain, the path stretching endlessly into the bright white sky.

Harsh winds slammed against their faces. Tears never had a chance to fall—the powerful winds stole them away before they could even trace their cheeks. The cold was merciless, tugging at their skin, made worse by their choice of thin, flowing clothes that offered little defense against the icy environment. Every step was a battle, the unforgiving mountain testing their resolve, but I guess this is what they had to do to gain the things they were after.

Suddenly they heard a bloodcurdling scream from above.

“AHHHHHH GUYSSSSS, I DID IT! EKKKKK!” Somji’s high-pitched voice echoed across the frozen peaks as she stood at the top of the mountain, her arms raised in victory.

Far below, Kimji and Nimji struggled to catch up, still battling the relentless winds. They were bigger and buffer than Somji; she was flexible and had easily made it all the way up there.

Kimji's pride turned to sheer horror when he spotted a shadow moving behind Somji.