Lower Mountains

The red Torii arch at the base of the path stands tall, as if announcing the new area to anyone who comes by. Rock beds, some pulsing and glowing what seems to be an odd, electric purple color, are all around. Tiny veins of water flow down the slope of the path toward the shallow stream in the distance. The path appears to be carved into the stone of the mountain, meandering through a forest of bamboo, maple trees, and tall, slender cedars as one traverses further up the pathway. Clouds can be seen getting closer as you go, and the occasional little rodent scurries nearby, as if trying to avoid you but always running down the mountain, never up.