Mystery mountains or a mystery in mountains?

Mountains carry an element of mystery inherently. They are majestic wonders, their towering peaks reaching towards the sky.

Source: digital art by @xpilar
And what will happen if these already gigantic structures carry within their hearts another enigma?
So imagine this:
A remote mountain range is shrouded in mystery, with peaks that seem to guard age-old secrets where the veil between living and dreaming becomes blurry!
These mountains come alive at night with an eerie symphony of sounds, including the chirping of crickets and occasional howls. Disembodied voices carry on gentle breezes recounting tales from long-forgotten days and haunting tragedies. The mountain range consists primarily of dark rocks bearing centuries worth weighty histories etched onto their surfaces by daring explorers seeking out its secrets over time. Eerie trees are equally twisted and gnarled casting elongated ominous shadows reaching out like skeletal fingers seemingly attempting to pull any who dare venture too close into enigmatic world's depths.
A group comprising both skeptics and believers gathered in the heart of this chilling landscape drawn together by stories about ancient curses, ghostly apparitions alongside inexplicable hauntings each having their own reasons for braving mysteries surrounding these daunting mountains unaware that they would be led towards confronting inexplicable phenomena while facing some darkest secrets hidden within them! In dense forest under moonless night unfolds a chilling tale; A woman clad in tattered garments appears out from darkness begging every passing traveler for help as her children starve at remote cottage she can't locate back home.
Air grows colder as her words hang in eerie silence making passerby decide whether or not aid her while whispers among locals speak about ghostly figure haunting woods - mother met tragic end searching lost children. Following desperate woman deeper into forest travelers realize no cottage is sighted ahead path growing treacherous winding through black rocky mountains closing around them amidst eerie mist shrouding surroundings making it harder discern landmarks. Questions arise among passengers doubting woman's story was she ghostly apparition leading astray or other mysterious force playing games? Fear grips hearts pressing on desperately seeking answers.
Suddenly there's no sign woman. A structure emerges before them emanating warm inviting glow smoke billowing from chimney: Cottage nestled amidst dark rocky terrain without any DOOR standing infront of them- glowing firelight and a scent of hearty meal from inside. Trepidation grows while deciding how to proceed, as there is no obvious entrance to this enigmatic cottage. There's a lingering doubt about whether they should even venture inside this haunted house in the forest, as they grapple with the mystery before them.
So what is this?
A figment of their imagination or are they dreaming?
There is no way to find out...

Source: Freepik