The next morning, as they prepared to set off for the final leg of their journey, Rorik revealed a surprising piece of information. "You know, I haven't mentioned this before, but the Aetherian Mountains are actually my homeland."
Luna's eyes widened. "Really? I had no idea!"
Kael grinned. "Hey, that's certainly good news. I bet you know the best route to take, then."
Rorik nodded. "Aye, I remember the trails my family and I used to take. I can guide us through the safest paths, though it's been a while since I've been back."
With only two days remaining until the celestial beacon's appearance, the trio eagerly began their ascent into the Aetherian Mountains. The biting cold nipped at their exposed skin as the temperature plummeted, and they found themselves wading through knee-deep snowdrifts and bracing against the gusts of icy winds that whipped around them. Despite the unforgiving environment, Rorik's familiarity with the terrain proved to be an invaluable asset, allowing them to make steady progress.
As they climbed, the snow-covered trees gave way to vast expanses of white, punctuated only by the jagged peaks that seemed to pierce the sky. The sun's rays glinted off the ice-covered cliffs, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape.
Kael, awestruck by the beauty of the mountains, exclaimed, "I've never seen anything like this before. It's breathtaking, everything is covered in white as far as my eyes can see!"
Luna, whom was making a cute expression with her breath forming small clouds in the frigid air, agreed.
Rorik, his eyes twinkling with pride, grinned. "Aye, there's nothing quite like the Aetherian Mountains. And just wait till you see the view from the summit!"
As they continued their climb, Rorik entertained them with tales of the mountains, sharing stories of his childhood adventures and the myths passed down through generations. His voice, filled with warmth and nostalgia, created a stark contrast to the biting cold that enveloped them.
"I remember this one time," Rorik began, "when my brother and I snuck out of the village to explore a rumored ice cavern. We must've been no older than eleven, but we were convinced we'd find a hidden treasure or some long-forgotten secret."
Luna, her curiosity piqued, asked, "Did you find anything?"
Rorik chuckled. "Oh, we found something all right. A family of snow leopards had made their den in the cavern. We barely made it out in one piece, luckily I was still in shape then!"
Kael laughed, the sound echoing off the mountainside. "It sounds like you were quite the adventurer even back then, Rorik."
Their laughter and camaraderie helped to stave off the cold, and despite the treacherous conditions, their spirits remained high.
As they pressed on, Rorik began to recount tales of the Aetherian Mountains, his voice cutting through the howling winds. "You know, these mountains are filled with legends. They say that deep within the peaks, there's a hidden valley where dragons still roam, and ancient spirits guard the secrets of the mountain."
Kael, intrigued, asked, "Those legends might have been true, they might have seen dragons from the Draconic Sanctuary, have you ever seen one before, Rorik?"
Rorik laughed. "Not personally, but my grandfather claimed to have encountered one during a mining expedition. A magnificent beast, he said, with scales like shimmering diamonds and eyes that pierced your very soul, I wish I will be able to see one in this journey so I can boasts about it to everyone, imagine the glory that comes with it, hahahaha."
As the hours wore on, the trio trudged through the relentless snowstorm, their bodies growing increasingly weary. The wind's howl seemed to drown out all other sounds, and they struggled to maintain their footing on the treacherous paths. Despite Rorik's confidence, it was clear that the storm was taking a toll on their progress.
Night fell, and with it, the temperature plummeted even further, the icy air biting at their exposed skin. Forced to make camp on a small, sheltered ledge, the trio huddled together for warmth as the storm raged around them like an angry beast. Their once-lighthearted conversation had faded, replaced by the silence of exhaustion, broken only by the chattering of their teeth and the ragged sound of their breath..
Luna, her limbs shaking uncontrollably, attempted to light a fire. The flickering flames struggled to take hold, but as the wind whipped through their makeshift camp, the fire sputtered and died, defeated by the relentless cold.
Rorik, his face pale and his breath frosting the air, looked at his companions with concern. "We mustn't sleep in this cold," he warned, his voice strained. "If we do, we might not wake up."
Kael nodded, his teeth chattering too violently for words. As one, they set about gathering rocks from the surrounding area, their fingers numbing as they hefted the icy stones. With aching limbs and chattering teeth, they painstakingly built a makeshift barrier at the entrance of the ledge, hoping to block out the worst of the wind.
As they huddled together for warmth, the storm's howl seemed to mock their efforts. They sat in silence, their bodies shaking uncontrollably, unable to muster the energy for conversation or stories. Their breath hung in the air, each exhale forming small clouds that seemed to disappear into the darkness around them.
Luna, her eyes watering from the cold, leaned closer to Rorik and Kael, seeking comfort in their shared misery. "Have you ever experienced cold like this before?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the storm.
Rorik managed a weak smile, though his eyes betrayed his concern. "Aye, but it's been a long time. Don't worry we'll make it through this, I promise."
Kael, despite his shivering, attempted to inject some humor into the dire situation. "You know, I always thought I'd prefer the cold to the heat, but now I'm not so sure."
The trio huddled closer, their bodies pressed together for warmth, as they faced the long and bitter night ahead. The storm outside raged on, a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Aetherian Mountains, and the challenges that still lay ahead in their quest to reach the peak.