Looking back now that a bit of the anxiety had been alleviated, I began thinking about the gains I had and the plans I had conjured.
Firstly, I had obtained the Frost skill from the Frost Tongue, which if I hadn't had 'The Magician' would've turned me into a sculpture similar to the one in the underground chamber. Originally, the Frost skill was supposed to be one that would've belonged to the main character, Simon, and one he would've gotten during the prologue, similarly being able to endure the process like me, although it would've been a more excruciating experience for him due to the state he was in then.
Initially, it would've also been the skill that would help Simon, although not significantly, to get out of the crisis he faced in the prologue.
'Forget it, you've already taken it, no point regretting it now. Rather...'
Glancing at the ice shard in the plastic bag, I felt conflicted on whether I should've actually brought it back with me or not.
The ice shard was actually one of the crucial elements, that, unlike the Frost skill, would play a major role in one of the main arcs. The name of the ice shard was Genesis Stone: Ice, and it was one of the four keys needed later on when fighting against one of the main bosses.
'Whatever, someone had to take it to push forward the novel, so I'll just take it, and hopefully be a few steps ahead of the other protagonists with this...'
Pondering about what I intended to do next, I found my way to the backdoor of the under-construction cottage I had previously just been at. Shoving the door open, I walked forward with many thoughts scrambled up in my mind.
'Get over it. It's for Leah, Mom, Dad, Trish, and Jacob.'
Scanning my surroundings as I strode on, I paid particular attention to the wooden flooring on my way to the to-be-kitchen. Arriving at the place which I presumed would be occupied by a kitchen countertop in the future, I began to stomp my foot as lightly as I could to avoid making too much noise.
-Thud. Thud.
Moving in circles while doing so, I came to a stop when one of the floorboards dipped down and revealed a deep cavity. Peering into the gap, I was greeted by the metallic sheen of several long sleek black objects.
'So I guess I'm back to the past after all, not that I had any doubts.'
I reached below and pulled out one with the hem of my tracksuit and found that it, unsurprisingly, fit snugly in the palm of my hand, and placed it in the plastic bag that was now filled to the brim.
'And that makes three.'
I replaced the floorboard back to where it had been after I had confirmed that I was indeed back to before the 'tragedy' had occurred, and that 'it' was bound to happen if I left things as they were.
[ 06:37 AM ]
Standing up I checked the time on my phone. Making my way out the back door, I walked onto the path before sprinting down to where our minivan had been parked the day before. Spotting the silver vehicle with colorful stickers on the bumper plate among the four or so others, I slowed down until coming to a stop just before it.
Fetching the spare car keys from my tracksuit's pocket, I opened the trunk and slipped the plastic bag into the travel bag I had intentionally left behind when getting off.
Grabbing the travel bag and turning around, I headed back at top speed to cottage 5 after closing the trunk.
[ 07:13 AM ]
I had finished a bit earlier than I had planned, most probably due to the fact that I didn't have to go through the experience of intense pain when ingesting the Frost Tongue that I had expected to.
"Ah...*pant...morning..."
Meeting my eyes when I opened the door was the skeptical look on Jacob's face.
"Ah, yeah, morning, but really, what's gotten into you lately? Didn't you say you quit sports, now you're saying you're gonna start again, and here, in the middle of nowhere, seriously? Tell me that ain't suspicious..."
"Ugh...whatever, cut me some slack, or do you not like the fact that I'm getting over my depression, huh?"
"Oh, sorry...I didn't mean to be rude. Fine, I'll leave you alone."
"Yeah, I know."
Leaving behind an excuse to avoid further questioning, I darted to the room I'd chosen. Closing the door after me, I quickly changed into warmer clothes and prepared myself to leave.
***
"Everyone got what they need? No one forgot anything, right?"
"No Dad, we got everything..."
"And, Keith, when did you slip that ragged old bag of yours in the trunk?"
"Ah, it's just, I thought I would feel better if I ran and got some fresh air, so I brought it along..."
"Oh...sure. Well, don't lose it, got it?"
"I wouldn't in my wildest dreams!"
"Yeah, sure. Remember to pick it up when we get back to base, alright."
"Yes, yes. I know."
Taking a side glance at the middle-aged man holding a pair of ski poles in his arms, I slowly went up to the back of the short line at the chairlift while holding Lea's hands.
The sun was shining brightly in the morning sky, spreading a hint of warmth in the freezing temperatures, although the blinding rays being reflected off the white terrain was not as welcoming.
Patiently awaiting our turn we idly chatted amongst ourselves. It had been almost half an hour since we had arrived at the ski resort and all the procedures had finally been taken care of- by none other than our reliable Dad who had finally shifted into travel mode, and we were now standing in the queue with skis on our feet- and Leah with her sled clutched tightly in her arms.
Even though Mom, Dad, and Leah wouldn't be getting on the same one as Trish, Jacob, and I- since they'd be going to the beginner's slope, the queue was the same according to the slope map, with only the chairlifts slowing down at a different height, and thus we were able to stand together in the line and talk about trivial matters, such as how we slept the previous night, whether we liked the breakfast they'd served at the cottage or not, and so on.
"Next."
Within moments we found ourselves at the front and were forced to part for the time being.
"Jacob, look after your brother and Trish, okay."
"Of course, mom."
Pushing forward with the ski poles, we waited a few seconds for the chairlift to come into position before sitting down. We lowered the harness and the chairlift began its steady ascent. Finding myself in-between my siblings, with Trish on my left and Jacob on my right, I quietly hummed the tune to my favorite song while enjoying the sight of hundreds of snow-covered trees dotted sparsely across the vast white inclined slope with protruding boulders in certain places.
"Hey. What song was that again?"
Feeling a subtle nudge on my left side, I saw the curious face of my music-crazed sister, and although her eyes were hidden behind the reflective headgear, it was clear that there was a certain sparkle in them.
"Um, I think it was Brother by Kodaline."
"Oh, yeah. The song you used to play all the time back in seventh grade. Why was it you did that again...? Oh, sorry, if that brought back unpleasant memories..."
"Nah, it's fine, it's about time I move on..."
Dropping off at the height we had determined previously, we slowly slid across to the side so as not to get in the way of any others who would get off at the same height. Finding a suitable spot to ski down we decided to move together than apart.
It took a while for me to regain my sense for skiing as I hadn't done so in several years, but once I was ready we began our journey downwards, starting slowly before picking up our pace.
"Hey, Keith!"
"Yeah!"
Pushing my feet outwards to form a wedge to decelerate so that we could converse, I came to a halt next to Trish and Jacob who had stopped ahead for me.
"How long did you say would take to reach the beginner area from here?"
"At top speed, probably several dozen or so minutes, I'd guess. But, there are quite a few trees, so curving around them would take longer."
"How about we see who gets there faster?"
"Come on, Jacob, Mom said to be careful."
"Sheesh, fine. What about you, Trish, wanna race?"
"Um, I think I'm fine at the speed I was going. Plus, we're here to enjoy our vacation not leave with grumpy faces and several fractured and broken bones, so take it easy will ya, you competitive musclehead?"
"Okay, okay, got it. No need to stress it so much."
Observing the faces of my siblings, complicated feelings welled up in my heart that urged me to go through with my plan regardless of the consequences.
'This time, I won't let either of you die. No matter what it takes. Even if I have to become a murderer, I'll do so.'
I knew my way of thinking was radical, but having experienced the bitterness and agony of losing someone close to me more times than I could count with the fingers on one hand, I couldn't care less anymore about the rationality of things when it came to those close to me.
I knew my actions would probably lead to far greater agony for the many that would be involved, yet my resolve did not dim for even a moment, only burning brighter and more furiously as I stared at the joyous faces of Jacob and Trish.
"Let's move, shall we?"
With those words, I pulled my legs together again and left them behind, zigzagging downhill, steadily building up speed.