Chapter Text
A twenty-five year old Jade Leech looks up and towards the horizon where a large mountain looms eerily. On top of this mountain, is an elegant but neglected chateau. One that has remained there for the entirety of Jade’s life. Within the seaside village where Jade resides, rumors about this seemingly abandoned building have spread and become folklore. Some believe that this chateau is haunted by evil spirits and damned by God himself. Others believe that there may be something or someone still living there, despite the perilous journey that one would have to take to reach it. Though recently, the villagers have begun to wonder if a supernatural being lives there as stories of vampires have become a popular topic throughout the region. Jade has found himself captivated by not only the mountain but its secrets, and as soon as he could comprehend the mountain's mysteries in his youth, he decided to climb this mountain and see what hides there in adulthood.
“Oh, must you go, my dear boy?” Sighs the lady Georgina Leech, Jade’s mother. “You’ll have your poor mother worried sick. And what of Floyd? He needs his brother present” She insists calmly.
“Please, mother. There’s no need to evoke Floyd’s name to convince me to stay. I'm afraid I am quite set on taking this journey. Be it arduous and dangerous. The mystery of the mountain has called to me from the day I could fully comprehend and appreciate it.” Jade replies, his tone polite yet firm. It's no mystery within his family that Jade has a fascination with mountains, or more so, what hides within them. Jade’s current fixation has been the chateau, but he has shared a similarly obsessive interest with mountain foliage, the process of hiking and camping, and the exhilarating feeling of finding something new and nuanced to him.
“Of course, my dear. I know it is in your nature to explore and discover. I suggest you leave before my heart overcomes my logic and I decide to tie you to the oven.” Georgina giggles, but there seems to be an iota of possibility in that becoming Jade’s fate.
“Oh my, then I should take my leave soon.” Jade chuckles, but a small bead of sweat forms as he feels the pressure. After all, Jade has learned that behind every joke is a semblance of truth. “I shall go once I have the opportunity to bid farewell to Floyd, father and grandmother. They should be arriving soon”
As if on cue, the front doors to the Leech family home burst open, a couple of boisterous men followed by an equally lively elderly woman enter. The two men are Floyd and Mr. Leech, behind them the grandmother. When Floyd spots his mother and brother in the living room, he redirects his attention and becomes quiet. He sees Jade is ready to embark on a hike, his brows furrow slightly and he crosses his arms as he approaches Jade.
“Hey, are you waiting up for me cuz you want me tagging along? How many times do I gotta tell you I don’t care about hiking? You always try to feed me something poisonous you find in the forests” Floyd huffs, finding it uncharacteristic that Jade hasn’t left already. Floyd doesn't exactly expect Jade to have good intentions. Only selfish ones. “Take papa or nana, ill pass” He waves his hand dismissively.
Jade’s smile drops and he looks sad, he pretends to wipe tears away with an embroidered handkerchief. “You wound me, brother… I wouldn’t dream of making you do anything against your will. Your image of me… it breaks my loving heart” He speaks in between sniffles.
“Ugh, cut the act, Jade. What’s your angle right now?” Floyd rolls his eyes and his frown deepens. Unable to help himself, Jade smiles indulgently at Floyd’s frustration.
“Your assumptions are incorrect, though you would have been correct in normal circumstances. I'm leaving now to begin my hike up the Scala Infinita mountain.” Jade says. Floyd's eyes widen slightly, but his expression quickly morphs into a smirk.
“Ah, so the day’s finally here, huh? I'm gonna miss ya while you're gone. Lotta people have died trying to hike that mountain. Not that i gotta tell ya that” Floyd’s voice softens, realizing now that Jade has waited to say goodbye to him. Mr. Leech steps forward, alongside their grandmother. Mr. Leech seems proud of Jade for taking this trip at last, their grandmother seems to be more concerned. Especially in regards to whether jade is taking enough food and resources. Jade soothes the grandmother, informing her that he has prepared thoroughly and learned from the failures of others who have attempted to climb the mountain. Georgina stands up from her chair, stepping over to join the impending farewell. Tears prick at the corner of Georgina’s eyes as each of Jade’s family members say their goodbyes to him. Floyd pulls Jade into a hug as Jade slides the straps of his camping backpack over his shoulders.
“Be careful out there, Jade. I think you’ll be just fine, but ya know. No one knows what's up in that old mansion. Heheheh, honestly, I'm better off warning the mountain about your arrival. But yeah, See ya later, Jade. Bring me something cool when you come back. No mushrooms or i’ll kill ya” Floyd gives Jade a squeeze before letting him go and stepping aside. Jade smiles, he feels a stirring in his heart. A pang of deep gratitude for the loving and caring family he's been born into.
“Ill be cautious, Floyd. And I can promise to bring you something interesting, no fungi involved. Goodbye then. I'll see you and the family as soon as I return. You take care in my absence as well.” With that said, jade leaves his home, his village and all that he knows behind to begin his journey up the unforgiving mountain that is Scala Infinita.