The Red Thread Never Broke
The mountain that waited part 1
The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the Vale residence, bathing the dining room in a warm golden glow.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, buttered toast, and pancakes drifted through the house, making the morning feel peaceful and familiar.
Downstairs, everyone was already gathered around the dining table.
His mother's voice echoed from the kitchen.
..
"If you're still sleeping, I'm coming upstairs!"
A muffled reply came from above.
..
"You've said that three times already."
A few moments later, Adrian stumbled downstairs with messy black hair, one shoelace untied and a hoodie thrown carelessly over a black T-shirt.
Elena looked up from her phone and laughed.
Elena (Adrian sis)
"You look like your pillow declared war on you."
Adrian Vale
"It started the fight."
Their father folded his newspaper, hiding a smile.
Alexander (Adrian dad)
"I don't think pillows usually win."
Adrian Vale
"They do," Adrian replied dramatically.
Elena (Adrian sis)
"Especially when someone sets five alarms."
Elena (Adrian sis)
Elena smirked.
"And somehow manages to sleep through all of them."
Adrian Vale
"I heard that."
Elena (Adrian sis)
"You were supposed to."
Their mother placed another plate of pancakes on the table before gently patting Adrian's shoulder.
leon (Adrian mom)
"Sit down before everything gets cold."
Adrian Vale
"Morning, Mom."
leon (Adrian mom)
"Morning."
She looked at him carefully.
leon (Adrian mom)
"You look tired."
"Football practice yesterday."
Elena (Adrian sis)
"And gaming with Ryan until midnight," Elena added.
Adrian Vale
"...How do you know?"
leon (Adrian mom)
"I gave birth to you."
Elena couldn't resist adding,
leon (Adrian mom)
"You forgot to mute your microphone while yelling, 'Ryan! Pass the ball!'"
Even their father laughed quietly.
Adrian Vale
Adrian covered his face.
"I need a new family."
Elena (Adrian sis)
"No refunds," Elena replied immediately.
The room filled with laughter.
Just then, Adrian's mother's tablet rang.
>< To be continued><
Stay Tuned
The mountain that awaited part 2
Continuing from previous chapter
leon (Adrian mom)
"It's Leander."
She answered the video call and placed the tablet in the middle of the table.
Leander's smiling face appeared on the screen from his university dorm room.
Leander (Adrian bro)
"Morning, everyone."
"Morning!"
everyone greeted together.
Their mother smiled warmly.
leon (Adrian mom)
"Have you eaten?"
Leander (Adrian bro)
"Barely. University food isn't exactly five-star."
Their father shook his head.
Alexander (Adrian dad)
"Study hard, but don't forget to take care of yourself."
Leander (Adrian bro)
"I will."
Leander looked at Adrian.
leon (Adrian mom)
"So... today's the temple trip."
Adrian Vale
Adrian sighed dramatically.
"I completely forgot."
Elena (Adrian sis)
"I'm not surprised."
Elena laughed.
Leander (Adrian bro)
"You remember football schedules better than family traditions."
Adrian Vale
Adrian shrugged.
"I remembered eventually."
Elena (Adrian sis)
"You remembered because Mom reminded you."
Alexander (Adrian dad)
"It's a tradition that has stayed with our family for generations."
Adrian Vale
Adrian nodded respectfully, (though he still didn't understand why they visited the same mountain temple every year.)
Whenever he asked, his father always gave the same answer.
"One day... you'll understand."
By late morning, their car slowly climbed the winding mountain road.
Tall cedar trees lined both sides, their branches swaying gently in the cool breeze.
Mist drifted lazily between the peaks, making the entire mountain seem almost dreamlike.
The higher they drove, the quieter the world became.
Even Adrian found himself putting his phone away.
...
📱🗨️Don't disappear and become a monk 😂
Adrian Vale
Adrian smiled to himself before locking his phone.
After another turn, the ancient temple finally appeared.
Its stone steps looked worn by centuries of footsteps.
Red prayer ribbons fluttered softly in the wind.
The sound of distant bells echoed across the mountain.
Something about this place always felt...
As though countless stories had been left behind within these walls.
The family quietly climbed the stone staircase together.
Visitors moved silently through the courtyard while incense smoke curled toward the wooden roof.
The scent of sandalwood filled the cool mountain air.
As Adrian's parents spoke with one of the monks, he wandered toward the peaceful garden behind the temple.
A small pond reflected the cloudy sky.
Maple leaves floated gently across the still water.
old priest
"You've finally returned."
><To be continued><
stay Tuned
the mountain that awaited part 3
continuing from previous chapter...
old priest
"You've finally returned."
Adrian Vale
Adrian stopped.
An elderly priest sat beneath an enormous maple tree.
His silver hair rested neatly over his shoulders, and despite his age, his eyes were calm and clear.
Adrian Vale
Adrian looked behind him.
"...Me?"
old priest
The priest smiled.
"Yes."
old priest
"I've been waiting."
Adrian Vale
Adrian laughed awkwardly.
"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."
old priest
The old priest slowly shook his head.
"No."
old priest
"The mountain never forgets."
A cool breeze swept through the garden, carrying a few crimson maple leaves between them.
Adrian Vale
Adrian rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry... but I really don't understand what you're talking about."
old priest
"You don't have to."
The priest rose slowly with the help of a polished wooden staff and stepped closer.
old priest
"The soul you searched for..."
old priest
"...has begun walking toward you once again."
Adrian Vale
Adrian frowned.
"What soul?"
The priest didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his gaze dropped to Adrian's wrist.
old priest
His expression softened.
"So..."
old priest
"The thread has begun weaving again."
Adrian Vale
Instinctively, Adrian looked at his own wrist.
There was nothing there.
Adrian Vale
"What thread?"
old priest
The priest smiled sadly.
"In another lifetime..."
old priest
"You made a promise beneath this very mountain."......
"You couldn't keep it."
Adrian Vale
A strange chill ran down Adrian's spine.
"I've never been here before."
old priest
The priest's eyes held an indescribable sadness.
"Not in this life."
Silence settled between them.
The only sound was the gentle ringing of distant wind chimes.
Adrian wanted to laugh off the strange conversation.
Something about the priest's words refused to leave his mind.
Finally, the old man spoke again.
old priest
"When your heart begins remembering what your mind has forgotten..."
old priest
"Do not hesitate."
old priest
"And above all..."
old priest
His eyes met Adrian's.
old priest
"...Protect the one , destiny returns to you."
Adrian Vale
Before Adrian could ask another question—
leon (Adrian mom)
"Adrian!"
leon (Adrian mom)
His mother's voice echoed from the temple entrance.
"We're leaving!"
Adrian Vale
Adrian looked back at the priest.
"I still don't understand."
old priest
The priest smiled kindly.
"When the mountain calls you again."
Adrian Vale
Adrian nodded.. uncertainly.. before turning toward his family.
><To be continued><
stay Tuned 😁
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