Evan’s arrival in Highpass Refuge felt like stepping into a climbing camp built inside a fantasy painting. Homes carved from stone blended with natural cliffs. Rope bridges linked terraces. People carried bundles of herbs or stone tools while children nimbly climbed the lower walls with casual skill. Yet their movements lacked the precision of trained climbers. They relied on instinct and stubbornness not technique. Evan observed their habits carefully noting how often they slipped or used inefficient foot placements.

The settlement leader a woman named Serana with braided black hair studied Evan with sharp eyes. She was lean strong and moved with the confidence of someone who survived many mountain seasons. She approached him near a lookout platform where the wind pushed clouds beneath them like drifting rivers.

You carry strange tools Serana said And you climbed the ridge face while a horned colossus hunted you No normal traveler would have survived that Why were you alone

Evan adjusted his harness trying to find simple words for something he didn’t understand.

I didnt choose to come here he said I was climbing back home in my world Then something happened and now Im here I dont know why

Serana crossed her arms. Her expression softened only slightly.

Skyfallen stories are old Some say they appear when the mountains shift Some say they are called here by the world itself Are you a warrior or a hunter

Evan shook his head.

Climbing coach I teach people how to read routes tie in properly handle ropes survive terrain that tries to kill them

Serana raised an eyebrow.

You teach climbing as a profession Not as survival

Evan smiled faintly.

Where Im from climbing is a sport It is difficult but people do it for fun

She looked baffled.

Fun You climb sheer stone for pleasure

Evan shrugged.

Pretty much

Serana exhaled slowly then gestured behind her.

Come I want to see how you move

She led him to a practice wall where villagers trained by climbing rough natural holds. Some used ropes but the knots were crude and the belay method dangerous. One slip could send the climber falling with little protection. Evan instantly felt uneasy. His inner coach could not ignore the flaws.

A young climber attempted a steep route only to lose footing halfway. His rope slipped awkwardly and he swung into the wall hitting his shoulder hard. Evan flinched then approached before Serana even spoke. He checked the rope noting frayed sections and poorly tied loops.

This knot wont hold under force he said Did anyone teach you anchor techniques

The young climber looked embarrassed.

We tie ropes the old way he muttered It works most of the time

Most of the time equals too dangerous Evan said firmly Watch this

He pulled a sling from his harness and demonstrated a proper figure eight then a secure belay setup. The villagers gathered eyes wide. Even Serana leaned in observing every detail.

This knot wont loosen under load Evan said And this is how you distribute weight so a fall doesnt tear the anchor out of the rock

He guided the young climber through tying the knot until his movements became natural. Then Evan pointed at the wall.

Try again And use your legs more not just your arms Think about shifting weight before committing to the next hold

The climber obeyed and moved significantly smoother. When he reached the top cheers erupted. Serana nodded impressed.

Your knowledge is strange but powerful she said You move with purpose and read the stone as if it speaks You could teach our climbers how to survive hunts

Evan hesitated.

Hunts

She pointed at the towering ridges beyond the refuge.

The mountain beasts nest within deep cracks Their crystals keep our hearths warm Our warriors climb to gather them But many die because they cannot read dangerous stone or unstable ledges If you can guide them fewer will be lost

Evan stared at the mountains. He felt a mix of fear curiosity and something else a flicker of responsibility. Training climbers here meant saving lives not just sending athletes home with stories.

All right he said quietly I can help But I need to explore first I need to see what your mountains are like

Serana gestured for him to follow her toward a tall wooden tower built along the cliff edge. When they reached the top the wind grew fierce whipping their hair. From here Evan saw the entire range stretching into the horizon. Ridges curved in unnatural smooth arcs valleys aligned like geometric shapes and faint glowing fissures traced across stone like veins.

He whispered without thinking
These mountains were shaped intentionally Someone built this or something did

Serana stared at him.

No outsider ever said that What do you see that we dont

Evan leaned forward gripping the railing.

Back home I taught route reading You learn to see the path before you climb it You learn patterns holds weaknesses The entire range has structure that doesnt occur naturally I need to map this place The shape of every ridge and crack matters

Serana narrowed her eyes.

Map

Yes A detailed topographic map of your mountains But not the simple kind You need slope angles stable anchor zones safe ascent lines weather paths beast territories With those you could save dozens of climbers every season

Serana went silent for a long time then spoke slowly.

If what you say is true then your knowledge is priceless And also dangerous Many kingdoms fight to control routes across these mountains If you map them they will try to steal your work or kill you for it

Evan felt his heartbeat quicken not from fear but from excitement. He always loved mapping new routes back on Earth but this was another level entirely a world whose entire geography begged to be climbed read understood.

Then I better start now he said

Serana smiled faintly for the first time.

I will assign you three climbers They know our land and you will teach them your methods Tomorrow at dawn you explore the lower ridge and mark everything you see

Evan exhaled steadying himself.

A new world new mountains new risks and a new team It felt surreal yet oddly right

As he walked back toward the guest quarters the sky darkened and glowing lights slithered through the distant clouds like living rivers. A horned colossus roared from far off but the echo sounded less threatening now. Evan adjusted his harness and touched the rope at his hip.

He had always guided climbers up stone Now he would guide an entire world through mountains that wanted to swallow them whole

And for the first time since awakening here he felt ready for the climb ahead