A week has passed, and Abaddon and Aine did some extra touch-ups to the sleigh. More stabilizers have been added to the bottom in hopes that it will not flip over during sliding.
"Alright, this should do it," she said.
Aine and Abaddon looked at the modified sleigh with a proud look on their faces. Aine walked back into the cave while Abaddon stayed outside. The interior of the cave has changed a bit since last time.
The cave didn't have much space anymore, so part of the gigantic pit inside the cave has been patched up with wooden flooring. Abaddon didn't want their base to be down in the pit, so this was the next best option.
The platform was held up by other wooden support beams that reached the bottom. It was quite secure, but Aine has her doubts; it can be incredibly rickety.
On top of the platform was Aine's bed; it's made of a few snow boar hides layered on top of each other. Aine learned recently that Abaddon doesn't sleep, and neither does the gremlin. Other than that, the fireplace is placed on top of a stone slab to prevent the platform from burning.
The hole in the pit is not completely patched; the platform only covers a little under half of the huge pit. The platform looks like a form of balcony for the cave system below. There was a ladder that led down to the pit, too.
Aine walked into the cave.
"Are you done with the modifications, Mistress?" Asked the gremlin.
"For today," replied Aine as she took off her coat.
"Would you like a bath, Mistress?" Offered the gremlin.
"Sure, just bring it down there; I can heat it up myself," she said.
"Of course," said the gremlin.
The gremlin was small; it could only reach up to Aine's stomach. But it had the strength of a superhuman; it could lift so much weight. It looks like his species, although unknown, is very strong.
Aine climbed down the ladder and headed under the wooden platform.
Under the platform was a small hole the size of a hot tub with a single torch on one of the support beams. The small hole was layered with a layer of wood. The wood was a little bit wet; it looks like this hole is used for baths.
The gremlin then carried two large buckets filled with water and brought them down to Aine.
"Mistress, here's the water; if you need anything, just give me a shout," said the gremlin as he climbed up the ladder.
Creating warm water has been good training for Aine. Now, she can also control how hot she wants her fire magic to burn. Aine created two fireballs and dropped one in each bucket. The cold water became warm almost immediately.
She took the buckets and poured the water into the hole. Abaddon also made a much smaller bucket for scooping water down here.
With a snap of Aine's finger, her undergarment released her by ripping itself. The undergarment then repaired itself and folded itself nicely next to the bath as Aine took a dip. She sat with her back resting on the frame of the hole.
The biggest problem is the lack of soap or any other items that can be used for bathing; therefore, just soaking in the water will have to do. However, the bath was still relaxing, and Aine got to think about a lot of things.
"I wonder when the blizzard will calm down; the food supply is not looking good last I checked," she thought to herself.
She slouched and submerged herself in water, only leaving her nose above the water. She blew bubbles into the water with her mouth, and she continued to lose herself in the void of thought.
Meanwhile, Abaddon just entered the cave.
"Master, welcome back," greeted the gremlin.
"Gremlin, where is Aine?" Asked Abaddon.
"Mistress is having a bath right now."
"Ah, I see..."
It looks like Abaddon had something to tell Aine.
"What's wrong, Master?" Asked the gremlin.
"The blizzard might weaken in the next few days," said Abaddon.
"Really?" Answered the gremlin enthusiastically.
"I don't know by how much, but yes, it will in the next few days."
It looks like their time in this frozen exile is finally coming to an end. With food supplies running at an all-time low and all the nearby snow boars killed, this will be their only shot at salvation.
Back under the platform, Aine was still enjoying her bath. Her skin was starting to wrinkle up, especially in the finger area. It looked like it was almost time to get out of the bath for her. But she kept on thinking.
It's been over two weeks since she woke up in this world, and in those two weeks, she has learned so much. The three days she spent in Moon Village have become quite a distant memory for her.
Looking forward, she can't wait to get down from this mountain. However, she can't help but feel thankful for this frozen exile; it kind of taught her magic. But she also wants to get back at that guildmaster who exiled her here.
Thinking about that guildmaster reminded her of something: she still had no brooch. Going around the continent would prove difficult like this; however, at least now she can defend herself. And after she finally gets down from the mountain, she can leave Abaddon to do his own thing.
It also just dawned on her that Abaddon is probably not getting anything in return for saving her; this whole escape plan has been for her and her alone. Aine doesn't think Abaddon would struggle to get down from this mountain; I mean, he's a herald.
With this in mind, Aine can't help but feel gratitude towards Abaddon. His selfless action has touched Aine and confirmed to her that something had happened to Abaddon that day at the guild. She just hopes that Abaddon won't be in trouble for disappearing for this long.
And with that, Aine's skin had wrinkled up from the bath; it was time to get out. She grabbed the snow boar hide that was brought down here to dry herself. She felt very refreshed.
As she was drying herself next to the bath, her undergarment began to float around her. After she dried, the undergarment wasted no time putting itself on her. Just like before, it ripped itself, wrapped around Aine, and finally fixed itself and tightened.
The refreshed Aine now began climbing the ladder back up to the platform. Meanwhile back on top of the platform, Abaddon was still conversing with the gremlin.
"Should I tell her to prepare?" Asked the gremlin.
"Yes, tell her to be ready at all times; we could leave any day now," said Abaddon.
The gremlin went to the ladder and was about to head down to Aine before it saw that Aine was already climbing the ladder.
"Master, I think you can tell her yourself; she's climbing the ladder as we speak," said the gremlin.
"Tell me what?" Asked Aine as she popped her head up.
"Ah, Aine, so here's the situation," said Abaddon.
Abaddon filled Aine in on the situation with the blizzard.
"So, that's our chance?" Asked Aine.
"Correct, if we slide down from here, we should end up somewhere west of the Forest of Dreams," said Abaddon.
"So, the complete opposite side of the forest to Moon Village?" Asked Aine.
"Well, Aine, listen here; I don't think you should return to Moon Village," said Abaddon hesitantly.
Abaddon recommended that Aine not return to Moon Village, as she had become too famous there. She has caused too many abnormalities in the village.
"But where else can I go? That's the only place I know," she said.
"How about the Pulchra Region?" Said Abaddon.
"The rich region? Is that okay?" Asked Aine.
"There is an underpass that leads to Pulchra from Pauperis that goes through the mountain range. That pass is actually pretty close to where we might end up," said Abaddon.
Aine looked at Abaddon blankly.
"That doesn't answer my question; am I allowed there or not?" Asked Aine.
"Of course you are, as long as you're with me. I can introduce you," said Abaddon.
Not everyone can enter the Pulchra region; you need to somehow prove to the government that you are important enough to enter. This could be done by getting a job inside the region, like Traders or the Guild, or by getting someone from the inside to bring you in.
Getting in is one thing; surviving is a whole other story. Pulchra is the region of the rich and luxurious, and money is the most important factor in any action done in Pulchra. The people there only want to thicken their own wallets. A bunch of greedy bastards.
"No need to worry; I can give you some fickens as well to keep you alive," said Abaddon.
Aine is very hesitant about going into Pulchra. But she thought to herself that that day was still in the future and that she still had time to think it through.
"Let's talk about Pulchra later, so when is this day?" Asked Aine.
"I don't know; it can be tomorrow or the day after," answered Abaddon.
With a deadline set, Aine and Abaddon decided to maximize their efforts by upgrading the sleigh. Hours passed, and Aine grew sleepy. She quickly fell asleep after upgrading the sleigh.
As she was resting her eyes, a dream was here to greet her. The voices from before echoed once more.
"Whatever is happening in-," said a manly voice before it faded out.
"How big? Is that normal?" said a feminine voice.
The voices sounded distressed, like something abnormal was happening. They were arguing.
"Please, wake up, my darli-," said the feminine voice again before it also faded out.
The voices quieted down and left Aine alone once again. Aine then felt a touch on her hair.
"Aine, wake up; it's time," said a familiar voice.
Aine slowly opened her eyes, revealing a fireplace in front of her.
"Aine, it's almost time," said Abaddon.
"What? What's going on?" asked Aine while she was still half asleep.
"The blizzard is calming; we have to leave now; get packing," said Abaddon.
The blizzard was calming. Aine had only gotten a few hours of sleep and was still drowsy. But this golden opportunity could not be missed.
"It's early, no?" Asked Aine.
"Indeed, it was not supposed to calm down tonight; I was assuming it would calm down as quickly as noon," said Abaddon.
Aine quickly took the slingbag Mr. Fabble gave her and packed her things. The gremlin was packing some food for the road. Abaddon was outside, preparing the sleigh.
Before walking out, Aine said her farewells to the cave that had been her home for the last few weeks. Aine walked out with all her stuff.
"Alright, are you ready?" Asked Abaddon.
"I hope," said Aine.
"Get on then! Let's go!" Said Abaddon.
Aine hopped in the sleigh as Abaddon was doing final checks.
"Gremlin, get ready to push," said Abaddon.
"Yes, Master," said the gremlin.
Abaddon got on the sleigh and faced backward; he was getting ready to use his hands as thrusters. The gremlin began pushing the sleigh, which slowly began to slide off the mountain face.
The gremlin jumped on the back before the sleigh got too fast. Abaddon's hands then burned with fire, which began propelling the sleigh forward. Aine grabbed on to the sleigh and prepared for the ludicrous speed.
The sleigh slid down the slope as fast as humanly possible. It showed no sign of slowing down. The sleigh was ripping through the winter atmosphere and somehow not breaking.
Abaddon was steering the sleigh by leaning from side to side. As Aine looked at her surroundings, everything was a blur from their speed. But the blizzard was noticeably lighter, and she did not feel as cold despite going at blistering speed.
With only a single torch on the sleigh to light up the stygian darkness.
Hours passed, and this adrenaline-inducing ride showed no signs of ending.
"Abaddon, where are we right now?" Asked Aine.
"We should be halfway there," said Abaddon.
The blizzard was starting to pick up.
"How long do we have until our equipment breaks down?" Asked Aine.
"I have no idea," said Abaddon.
It's kind of scary; they are past the point of no return, and even if they want to go back now, it's too late. They are a ticking time bomb with no way to pause it.
As the ride continues, they find themselves in a snowy forest. The forest resembled a tundra of sorts; it had almost leafless spruce trees.
"Woah, gremlin, try and slow us down; this forest is no place for our pace," said Abaddon.
"Yes, master," said the gremlin.
The gremlin dragged its legs on the snow behind the sleigh. The gremlin was using itself as a brake by using his hand to hang on to the moving sleigh and using its legs for more traction.
Thanks to the gremlin's inhuman strength, the sleigh slowed down to a more manageable speed. Abaddon leaned more violently to avoid the sleigh hitting trees and rocks.
"We shouldn't be too far from the foot," said Abaddon.
The blizzard began to really pick up, and Aine started to feel quite chilly.
"Gremlin, full speed ahead," said Abaddon.
"What? Uhh, sure, Master," said the gremlin hesitantly.
The gremlin released his brakes, and the sleigh began speeding up again.
"Why are we speeding up?" Asked Aine.
"We have to make it down before the barrier strengthens," said Abaddon.
It looks like the barrier has begun to take effect once more, as has the deafening blizzard.
However, at this speed, maneuvering was proving quite an issue. Aine charged up a fireball and blasted it ahead of the sleigh. It hit a tree that was in the way and cleared the path.
"Nice work, Aine; keep doing that, please," said Abaddon.
Aine continued firing ahead to help clear the path as they kept gaining speed. However, it looks like the wood on the sleigh is beginning to fail.
One of the legs of the sleigh snapped, and the sleigh lost its balance.
"Shit, hang on," said Abaddon.
The sleigh began to roll down the tundra. Aine was hanging on to the wood of the broken sleigh. Abaddon grabbed Aine and shielded her from the fall with his body.
As they were rolling down, they began hitting the grass. Abaddon raised his left mechanical hand to slow them both down. Meanwhile, the gremlin kept tumbling down.
Abaddon successfully stopped them both while the gremlin landed in a bush. The area was filled with debris from the sleigh.
"Are we okay?" Asked Aine.
"We did it," said Abaddon.
They had done the impossible; they had successfully defied Obice's Barrier.
"We still have some distance to walk before we actually leave the mountain range, and the barrier isn't entirely behind us," said Abaddon.
And so they continued walking down the slope of the mountain in hopes of making it back to civilization. Aine felt accomplished, like she had just broken an unbreakable shield. It looked like they had found the answer to the age-old question, "What happens when the sharpest spear attacks an unbreakable shield?"
It depends on which side is more determined.