Several sets of teeth chattered from the cold, hands continued to cling to roots and rocks, dirt went under their fingernails and a strong wind tried to blow the five shadows off the cliff, wanting to plunge them into the pitch-blackness awaiting them below.
Well, if such trials of fate could prevent them, they wouldn't be able to survive in the Kyrexo Loop for so long and obtain a single Sacrificial Crystal.
It was the first time Tron was climbing up the cliff, but he wasn't worried, such a feeling was unknown to him yet. He watched the others with mild curiosity, absorbing the information and learning from their experience.
Hygon preferred to grab onto large ledges using his rough palms and strong arms, he had a sturdy body. Lorana and Morbia moved nimbly, targeting roots, jumping from one to the next like agility, their mobility and light bodies allowed them to do so freely.
Gex on the other hand... was a prisoner of his nature in all things, finding ledges that others overlooked, choosing trajectories that were convenient only for him, while always maintaining his lead.
Three different styles were before Tron's eyes, blending in his mind, his body obeying his will without problems, creating his style growing with the help of others but maintaining a core of originality.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Pretty soon, Tron felt he could be faster and better, outrunning Hygon, Morbia, and Lorana.
"What...?"
Lorana's eyes went wide looking at Tron in disbelief. She didn't mind being second to Gex, but to accept being overtaken by some weirdo...? No!
"Hahaha, Tron, are you going to outrun me and climb to the top first?"
A caustic laugh erupted from the heights, Gex was amused by this kind of competition.
It was a challenge - at least that's how Tron took it. He wanted to see if he could be even better. He watched Gex's actions intently, trying to replicate his movements and follow his unusual paths.
Crackle.
The rock Tron had grabbed onto couldn't take the strain, breaking away from the cliff.
Tron's eyes went wide in incomprehension. Just then Gex had grabbed onto the same rock, he managed to climb higher without obstacles, but... Tron was rapidly falling.
'Why...? I did everything exactly as he did...?
Tron pondered before turning his head, staring into the deep darkness that stretched towards him like eager shadows.
Was Tron experiencing fear or panic?
'Hmm... I wasn't planning on falling in there, but at least I'll know what's in there.'
The gusts of wind blew against him, fluttering the ends of his hair as a black flash headed towards him.
Crackle.
A mighty hand with a steely grip grabbed his forearm and threw him upwards onto the nearest protruding root.
Instinctively, Tron grabbed onto the root, hanging onto it. He looked forward.
"You shouldn't be in such a hurry, it often leads to mistakes, you were doing the right thing though, but..."
Hygon pointed upwards, at Gex who continued at his own pace.
"Trying to copy someone is a mistake, as a copy will never surpass the original. The original came up with its style and knows what to do, so the original is always one step ahead while the copy stays behind."
With a heavy sigh, climbing a meter ahead, Hygon ended his edification with a simple but wise phrase:
"There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. It's beneficial if you correct them, just as it's detrimental if you repeat them."
For a while, Tron just stared ahead at one point, though Hygon had already climbed higher.
'So being last and slow but strong has its advantages too. Maybe it's better than being first? I don't know...'
...
Two guards stood in front of the entrance to the lighthouse. There was nothing behind them, just a cliff leading to an endless void, and darkness waiting below.
They were the first line of defense of the Saint Tribunal in case someone decided to snatch their Sacrificial Crystal.
"They're reading prayers again. Too bad we can't be there."
The young man with thick hair muttered, his gaze directed forward, beyond the temple where the bright flames from a warming fire could be seen.
"We're in our place, you're just too young to realize it. By protecting this passageway, we are protecting everyone else's ability to get out of the Kyrexo Loop! We will allow followers of our goddess like us to return to the real world!"
The older man belligerently exclaimed with a wave of his hand. His gaze was unwavering and true to his faith.
Unlike the rest of the Saint Tribunal members, they had round emblems on their chests with a sign of three arrows going in different directions from the center - the Triumvirate Path. This was the equivalent of the crimson skull in the Scarlet Root, showing that they were Harbingers.
The young man smiled shyly, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Yes, you're probably right. I was unlucky to be here at such an early age, I'm not used to everything yet."
The older man nodded deeply, holding his hands behind his back.
"Don't worry. Our leaders know what they're doing. I'm sure the goddess has great plans for you and you'll live a long life!"
Suddenly, a calm, serene voice sounded.
"I'm afraid your goddess doesn't care about you."
The guards' eyes came into motion, only to see a man in a crimson coat and eye patch, his green eye shining brightly in the darkness.
"You...!"
Step.
A single step was enough for the shadow to appear behind the man like his personal harbinger of death.
Two hands swept forward, over the snow gathered on his shoulders, shimmering in the darkness. One hand fell on the man's head, while the other gripped his jaw tightly.
A cold whisper was the last thing he heard.
"Good night."
Crackle.
Gex turned the man's head ninety degrees, breaking his neck, a loud crunch spread around, it could easily be confused with a broken branch.
The young man watched the rapidly unfolding scene like a spellbound man, unable to accept the cruel reality.
'No... I must fight! In the name of the goddess!'
Seeing the older man's body fall, he stretched his arms forward, adopting a fighting stance, something similar to the one Morbia had displayed, but considerably clumsier. He needed a little time to concentrate.
Whoooooosh.
A massive palm covered his mouth as a small figure with long blonde hair appeared in front of him.
In her hand was a short dagger, a dangerous gleam running along the steel blade resonating with her serene gaze.
Without hesitation, Lorana took two swings, carving a massive chunk of flesh from his neck before walking forward.
With his powerful arm, Hygon pushed the dying guy aside, dooming him to sink into the cold mud, bleeding and grabbing his throat in an attempt to stop the inevitable.
Gex headed down the aisle, he cast a glance at Morbia.
"Catch up with us when you're done."
Morbia nodded and quickly ran up to one of the men, stripping off the dead body coat to protect herself from the cold, she wasn't going to take the wrath of the blizzard any longer.
"Apparently these two were just Applicants."
Under the cold wind, she hurriedly threw on her coat and adjusted the collar so that it covered the top of her face.
Some were the Applicant for only a day, and others were dying of old age, never becoming a true Harbinger.
"Gex and the others... Why didn't they use the Spark? They're the Harbingers, so they should be capable of it, shouldn't they?"
A slight interest was heard in Tron's voice. He didn't participate, but he had watched their attack.
With a slight nod, Morbia shook the dust off her new coat:
"Sure, but using the Spark takes a lot of energy and would draw unnecessary attention."
After a quick reply, Morbia glanced at the dead guards and looked at Tron.
"What do you feel? How does it feel to see the dead? How does it make you feel to see people killing each other?"
Tron raised an eyebrow as if he didn't fully understand what answer Morbia wanted to hear from him.
"How does it make me feel? Probably nothing."
Heading toward the lighthouse passageway, Tron shrugged nonchalantly.
"I didn't do anything, right? Oh, or do you want my opinion on their teamwork? I thought it was pretty good...?"
Realizing he didn't understand anything, Morbia shook her head and waved her hand.
"Forget what I said. Follow them."
Without further ado, Tron stepped onto the spiral staircase, leisurely sinking deeper beneath the lighthouse.
Until his silhouette disappeared, Morbia's gaze was directed to his back, her eyes growing deeper.
'Gex, Lorana and Hygon... They are all skilled killers and criminals with bloodlust. They have learned to kill to survive, for them the death of an enemy will cause no regret or fear, but... Tron...'
Morbia glanced at the dead guards before dragging them aside, to one particular spot - next to a tree by the cliff.
'He feels nothing. There is no cruelty in him, no experience, no bloodlust and that is what is truly frightening. He can kill just because he has to, without realizing the value of life.'
Then, a wide grin covered Morbia's face as she pulled a long needle from her belt.
"However, I'm no angel either."
The needle plunged into the men's bellies, gutting their bodies as if they had been attacked by a wild beast. A powerful odor of blood spread outward that would carry far beyond the temple thanks to the strong wind.
A dangerous gleam traveled across Morbia's eyes.
"I'll see who I can attract here, but..."
For a moment, fear filled her heart.
"I should hurry after them."