"Hey, wake up."
.....
"Hey, wake up, wake up."
.....
"Finally, someone's awake. What's wrong? Has the journey here worn you out? It's tough traveling by horse-drawn carriage over the mountains through the Mist. Isn't it?"
.....
"Alright, alright, if you want to stay silent, I won't ask anymore."
"But even though I don't know where you came from, I do know where you're headed."
"To the Mist City, right? Lately, people have been flocking there like moths to a flame after hearing rumors that someone flew from the Solar Tree again. You're no different, believing in those half-truths and rumors. By the way, can you even talk? You just sit there silently staring at me. At least tell me your name."
Rust.
"Rust? To be honest, your parents really lacked imagination when naming you. But I guess the name fits your rusty armor."
"My name is…"
*Sound of the carriage jolting on a rock*
"My name is Jax. Compared to your name, mine sounds like a proper one. I'm a reporter, working at a newspaper. The fates of Jax and Rust crossed on this broken horse carriage."
— This might be your last stop, Jax Morbide.
"What are you talking about? I haven't even had time to talk properly with my new acquaintance."
— Huggh, you do as you please. May the Solar Tree forgive this man.
"So, then you and I…"
The broken horse carriage.
"Yes, that's what I was talking about. You might be wondering why I'm here on this carriage."
No.
"Forget what I just said. I'm on my way to write an article and report about those entering the Mist City. I may look illiterate, but people read my paper every day. So I thought I'd start the interview with you."
"You're heading to the Solar Tree. So, you're going into the Eternal Mist, right?"
Maybe. If I don't die here first.
"Scary answer, but honest. So, you're really going into the Eternal Mist. They say awful things exist there. How have you prepared your body and mind before entering?"
I dug myself a grave.
"Well, good preparation. But I won't put that in my article. So, why are you going into the Mist anyway?"
...
"Alright, Alright. If you don't want to say, don't. And don't glare at me like that. That makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't think we'll get along."
"If that's the case, then I…"
*Carriage jolts*
"Oh, for the devil's balls, are you blind or can't you handle steering this wooden stick? Jackson. You damn fool, I dropped my quill. Stop right there."
— I didn't see anything on the road just now. And this mist is pulling too hard. Honestly, this mountain path gives me a bad feeling.
"What the hell are you talking about? Is the Eternal Mist stuck inside your head? So now I have to walk down this mountain even though I paid for the ride? You dumbass!"
— I'll give you back the money you gave me, damn it. I can't keep being humiliated by some pathetic, paper-wielding fool like you. Here, take this.
"Damn bastard, throwing my money at me…"
Hey, both of you, look at the mountain.
"What?"
— Oh, for the devil's sake. Everyone, run!!!