Aldr advanced to the next step and then the next for what seemed like an hour. Yet the steps just kept going. And when he looked down, he could no longer see the cave, nor his first few steps. He was also freezing cold, and questioning his decision of stripping to his undergarments. As every part of his body was now wet. Including his feet.
He laid down on the step. Which stretched out larger than some of the others. And removed the damp robes from his feet, instead wrapping it around his waist. Wrapping them around his feet wasn't exactly smart either. As they limited his range of motion for a few extra moments of warmth. Which now meant nothing as the cold rain soaked his clothes.
'Cold...this place is too damn cold...'
He didn't exactly know what he would achieve by climbing this mountain. But he didn't really want to turn around and go back down either. He had sworn he had seen it again, the mist shifting, or something inside of it shifting.
'I'm being watched. What a pleasant feeling.'
He suddenly had the overwhelming urge to pick up the pace.
Somewhere else in the world, a woman was praying at the trunk of a divine tree. Wearing white and gold robes that looked divine. She was the epitome of beauty. Her hair was as white as the brilliant pillars of quartz holding the temple. She looked up at the tree that pierced into the very heavens as she finished her prayer. And then brilliant sparks of golden light manifested into words in front of her.
[I've sent you some...help. Just try to welcome them with open arms, will you?]
She sighed as she stared at the floating words.
"I don't recall asking for help."
The words then disappeared, and she wasn't given a response.
"Tch."
She turned around and marched out of her temple. Looking at the guards remaining outside, her expression turned stern.
"Send a few parties of men out into the outer lands. Look for anyone you deem strange, and bring them here."
"Yes, Saintess!"
The guards responded almost immediately, their tones filled with reverence for the woman. Heila, second chosen of the world tree, summoned her rapier and tied it to her waist.
Aldr had been ascending from step to step for hours. His body was starting to crumble from exhaustion, his muscles had been pushed to the limit long ago, and he struggled to catch his breath. While he climbed, he tried to rack his memory about this world, but couldn't recall much, as he was already mentally exhausted. He also wasn't sure how much time had passed, so his memory may not be the best source of info either.
He stopped on a step and looked up. He could finally see the end. A solid surface.
He stretched his hand out for the next step and continued, pushing his body to the very limit. Until a sound broke through the silence. Another shift in the mist, and a flap of wings. He suddenly felt like he needed to go a bit faster. As the flapping of wings continued. He hastily went from step to step. Barely able to sustain himself. He found himself facing the last step.
It was a bit more perilous than before. But he could see the top of the mountain. He sighed and cut off a piece of his sleeve, tying his hand and the dagger together.
'This would be a terrible place to die...'
He took a deep breath before leaping. As he expected, he didn't have enough strength to get on top of the step. So he plunged the dagger into the stone and hung there for a moment.
'Alright, body...please move...'
His body wasn't exactly responding to him. His muscles had given out, and his weight was slowly tugging the dagger out of the stone.
'Shit.'
Then the flapping of wings drew close. And he turned. Something was about to exit the mist, as a loud caw echoed through the mountains.
'Just what I needed'
He sighed and looked before a giant crow exited the mist. Pitch black feathers almost raining from its body as it swooped down for Aldr. The dagger dislodged and Aldr held it as the raven carried him up.
'I could attack it but...if it lets go...'
Aldr looked down at the endless expanse beneath him hidden by fog. And let out a sigh.
"Screwed...I'm so screwed..."
The raven flew him over the top of the mountain and landed on the lush flat green on top of it. The peak of the mountain was rather beautiful, covered in pale trees and lush moss. But Aldr was more concerned with his own survival, as the raven held him in its nest. He noticed someone sitting next to him who let out a subtle yawn. The man's hair was a dark brown, his eyes a soothing blue, like the many oceans he had seen before. Dressed in grey and white robes. A bit unlike Aldr's own. His hair was tied into a neat ponytail as he looked towards Aldr.
"Don't you think it's a bit inappropriate to only be in your underwear on a day like this?"