The characteristic rays of lustrous sunshine pierced their way through the shade of the enormous tree and into the makeshift camp, announcing the arrival of morning to the seven individuals within the camp.
Last night, after the incident with the beast, the group returned to the camp without any further occurrences. Apphira had also explained to them that the beast was obviously wounded by one of the beastial plants of this domain. Subsequently, they all slept, anticipating the next day when they would scale the ledge of the mountain.
But undoubtedly, none of them were able to drift off to sleep for the remaining hours of that night. Especially Lyra, who underwent an emotional rollercoaster. Therefore, when the veil of darkness was overcome by the rays of the sun, they all sprang to their feet. Ready to continue their adventure.
After having a breakfast of assorted fruits, they all left the camp, leaving it desolate. And to the base of the humongous mountain. To finally scale it to the other side. The hurdle standing in the path of their quest.
Now at the foot of the mountain, Apphira asked, "Are you familiar with the mountain's landscape?" Looking specifically at Drake. Drake was a high-ranking member of the Templar force of Etheloria, so it made sense that he was the one to whom this question was directed. After all, the mountain forest has been the chosen site of training used by the Templar force.
"No, we have never scaled it during training before."
"The only piece of information we have about it, just like you do, is that it has a ledge across its steep. If we can successfully cross it, I don't think there is any other danger at the top of it." Drake replied in his composed demeanor.
"Crossing a ledge might not be much of a problem." Emelda chimed in. Extending from her hand were the same kind of membranous vines that she used at the camp. Upon seeing it, they all understood what she meant.
"I agree." Thorne added. After all, he can manipulate the earth element – another plus on their side. By doing so, the risk of crossing a ledge that spanned the mountain is reduced.
Alvan himself could still feel his powers at his disposal. It had been there since last night after returning with the others. So, what could possibly go wrong? Especially with Emelda and Thorne on their team. But he wasn't confident because his powers might choose to betray him at any moment they wish.
"Then let's cross this over-elevated landform. The quicker we retrieve the elixir, the better, before Etheloria gets engulfed by that abomination." Apphira said. All of them nodded in unison, showing a spirit of collaboration, prepared to trample on anything that tries to stop them together. It was an indomitable agreement among them; one had to break through no matter what. In such situations, wise individuals often invoke the phrase: "Unity is power."
Following Apphira's and Drake's lead, they began to climb the mountain from its sloppier base towards its steeper crown. Along the way up, they didn't encounter any beastial plants at all. In a sense, it was both a good thing and a bad one.
Good, in the sense that they have left the plant-dominated part of this mountainous forest. This means that their likelihood of encountering a beast has also increased, making the situation worse.
As soon as they began climbing, Drake's Aura Scan was activated. It is a good way to easily spot any beast before it approaches.
Two-thirds up the mountain, the group reached a less steep layer that was almost flat, resembling the ground. Alas! This was where the ledge was, awaiting their crossing. As if it had been pre-informed of their arrival.
It was the only flat part on the side of the massive mountain. Beneath one of its sides, at the edge, there was a dangerously steep vertical drop. While the other side rose to form a rampart that extended up the remaining one-third of the mountain. Too steep, too rugged and too crooked a terrain to climb. It was the only path they could pass through, despite its narrow margin.
The group, however, has aces up their sleeve to make up for the disadvantaged narrowness. It was time for Emelda and Thorne to be less useless to the group.
Thorne, harnessing his earth elemental manipulation, constructed a beam of earth to widen the naturally narrow ridge. At least wide enough for two people to walk past simultaneously. To enhance the synthetic addition of earthen wideness, he connected its base to the steep vertical on the edge of the ledge.
While Emelda, with her vines, constructed a railing at the edge of the earthen addition conjured by Thorne. A rail that they could hold onto while crossing the now wide ledge. And this will prevent them from falling off, as it is also interconnected above them to the rampart on the other side. It appeared sturdy, just by looking at it, as if it would be able to last for decades to come.
Instead of a narrow ledge, the group easily walked across a bridge-like path. Until they reached the halfway point of the mountain where the ridge concluded.
The mountain sure has a strange topography. One would have thought that the ledge would lead to the other side. Meanwhile, it ran only halfway its distance before sloping up again to the height of the rampart on the other side of the ledge. Not just the height, but even its girth seemed to have widened as well.
"Damn!" Thorne exclaimed with his hand over his head. He was clearly fed up with the complexities of this mountain.
'We are almost at the other side, just this little height to climb and some walking up and down this mountain,' Alvan thought. 'But it still unsettles me that we have met no beast or beastial plant yet. I can still remember how the High Priest warned us that this type of terrain is teeming with beasts and dangers.'
"Do you prefer we head back?" Kael turned to Thorne, who was complaining, with a question. He just got a glare from Thorne, who said nothing else as Drake went to climb it first.
Surprisingly, each of them was utilizing their abilities to make the climbing less daunting for them. Especially, Emelda and Thorne, who had advantageous abilities best suited and contradictory to this terrain.
***
After a few minutes, the group arrived at the summit of the crooked topographic mountain. They all heaved a sigh of relief, knowing fully well that climbing down was the only task left for them to complete.
Not just this, they took the deepest breath they had ever inhaled in their entire life. Up here was refreshing. Probably because of the high altitude of this mountain, it contains less polluted air. It was neither too cold nor too hot here.
"Yoooh!" Thorne exclaimed at the top of his lungs, facing Etheloria. Like someone who had won a lottery or passed their final exams.
"What if you are giving away our location to the beasts of this forest? Especially the arboreal ones." Kael said. And it was true. Such an act can be an enticing invitation to all the predatory flying beasts out there, or those concealed within the mountain landscape. However, he himself was excited. It was a first time climbing a mountain so huge and tall. As a matter of fact, it was adventurous.
Towards the direction of Etheloria, they could all see the silhouette of the Shadow Fort and the Templar Academy on the elevated plateau. It was a terrifying view indeed, dampening their brief excited mood. As they looked into the distance, they noticed that the shadowy fort appeared to have moved closer. For just a few days, they left for the quest.
This, too, was a testament to the enormity of the mountain. Not all mountains could offer them the privilege of seeing their hometown despite being hundreds, if not thousands, of kilometers away. However, it was still nothing compared to the enormity of the split Mount Gaville, whose residual leftover is now known as Magma Mountain.
The group turned around, away from the disheartening view of Etheloria. At least they need to find a way to climb down the mountain. It is now obvious to all of them the urgency of the quest. So, no time should be wasted anymore until they bring back the elixir and rid Etheloria of the Shadow Plague.
"Strange," murmured Alvan as he encountered the morphology of the mountain's summit. Not just him, but all the other six were perplexed by the scene that unfolded before them after climbing up to this height.
They were unable to describe the state of the mountain top, even Apphira and Drake. Whether it is a good sign or a bad one, they do not know…