I climbed and climbed with all my will. The mountain was filled with all kinds of obstacles, it was very hard to find a short route to the top and even if there were some, it was too risky and dangerous.
I had Neph scout ahead, she was the one leading me not me leading her like usual. Ohhh how thankful I was she was here. Without her I wouldn't even know where I would end up.
The ground started to slant upward, the more I moved up the peak, the more the ground became steeper. It was starting to become troublesome, tall grass was everywhere and the surroundings were covered with either trees or large rocks, it was really hard to walk on foot.
Good thing was that I didn't encounter any beasts, at this point it was safe to say that there won't be any.
At the start, all I needed was my feet, but now, my hands became equally important. I hoised my body up, veins bulging in my hands, I gnashed my teeth and endured the pain I was feeling in my fingers.
One time, I almost slipped and fell down the mountain. I looked back and I was shook, the height was dangerous enough for me to die even with magic, much less, without it.
Neph looked at me in worry, "Don't worry, I'm fine really. Just go check up ahead." I insisted.
Time passed, probably around a few hours yet I was nowhere near the peak of the mountain. At this point, my manaless body was beyond breaking. It was hard to move, I felt like my bones were about to break apart. The pain was like hell!
Most of all, I was hungry. Without food my mind was all over the place, I could not think straight.
Hunger wouldn't have been a problem if I had mana since it can be substituted but I have no mana at all.
I banged my head on the ground, "Fvkk! I can't die of hunger here! Even in the Labyrinth I'm still gonna be surrounded with trees, grass and this fcking dirt! I wont give up till I reach the peak!" I screamed with all I've got, my chest heaved up and down.
Sweat trickled my forehead, my face was pale and lethargic, my hands were stained with blood, I looked terrible beyond compare.
My body felt sore and heavy. It was on the point of breaking, only my will power kept it moving.
Neph, albeit looked much more worried, did not say a thing. She could feel my determination and will to leave this goddamn forest, and if inorder to achieve that, I have to pass trials like this, she knew I would gladly do so.
I stood up, Neph made way for me. Every step I took was filled with pain and blood. My body was heavy but I forced it, my heart pounded hard, my eyes were on the verge of closing. However, before I would fall to the ground dead, I would bang my head and force every fiber of my body to move.
Obstacles were in my way but I passed by them, I was not gonna give up. I had no intention to, even if my body was about to break down, I will not give up.
"Move! Fcking move!"
I don't know how much time had passed but I continued to step forward to the point, I couldn't anymore. Still, if I can't walk? I'll crawl.
I dragged my body, pulled it by hand. My eyes were bloodshot, I looked like a zombie that got out of its tomb.
I would have preferred to fight thousands of golems than this.
I screamed and screamed — as a way to stay awake, till I couldn't anymore.
Still, I remained persistent, no matter what happens, I will move forward — to the peak!
I encountered many chances to die, I even thought that this torture wasn't worth it, and it would be better to just die. But every time such thoughts arrise, I would bang my head in the ground.
I don't know...I don't know how much time passed, how much days passed, how much hours passed. I lost track of time long ago, all I could ever think about was moving forward and reaching the top.
And finally...finally...I fcking reached it.
I burst out laughing, my eyes were cynical, I looked like a madman.
I looked at Neph by my side, I could have never reached the top without her, I wouldn't have probably even reached half the mountain without her help.
It was all thanks to her. I was a witness to how cruel the mountains terrain was, it was difficult even when she was guiding me, what about if I was alone and was just aimlessly being driven around without a direction. I would have died, I knew that as a fact.
"Thank you, Neph. I wouldn't have reached the peak without you." I sincerely said with a smile.
Neph's transparent eyes shone, her cheeks were a bit red, showing that she was a bit shy. I could feel through our connection that she felt absolute warmth from my words, and vice versa — she could feel the warm feeling and sincerity when I said those words.
"Second trial: finished."