The mountain pass was more brutal than I'd anticipated. Harsh winds bit into our faces, the path treacherous and steep. Frost stuck close, his resilience to the cold becoming more evident as he trudged through the snow without complaint.
The journey wore us down. Each step was an exertion, and as the altitude climbed, so did the weight on my body. By midday, I stumbled, my vision blurring as exhaustion took hold. My body ached, my legs screaming for relief.
Just as I was beginning to wonder if I could go on, the system appeared with a timely message:
> Quest Complete: Mountain Trial
Reward: Self-Regeneration Ability
As I read the notification, a surge of warmth spread through me, soothing the aches and renewing my strength. I took a deep breath, feeling the weariness dissipate, replaced by a steady sense of vitality.
With this newfound resilience, I helped Bran and Sera through the final stretch of the mountain pass. As we reached the summit, I looked down, filled with a sense of accomplishment and ready for whatever lay ahead.