Lara chose the safer path that wound gently ahead, even though it would add hours to their journey.
The memory of Barett’s harrowing near-death experience at the hanging bridge loomed in her mind like a dark cloud. The sickening crack of the plank, his screams—those memories weighed heavily on her, pushing her toward caution.
She wasn’t willing to gamble—not today. Not with Abel and Barett in tow.
She prioritized safety over speed. The route, lined with towering trees and thick undergrowth, felt like a protective embrace, and she welcomed the respite it offered.
A year ago, she had climbed Ourea’s Peak for the first time after arriving in this backward era. Back then, when she was Lara Starr, she’d taken a different route—the quickest one—reaching the summit in half a day when others needed more than twenty-four hours. She’d felt invincible then, like the mountain itself bent to her will.
Unfortunately, that path was now unfamiliar. Where there was supposed to be just the steep incline at ninety degrees of jagged rocks and ledges that used to be her anchor, there were thick bushes and thorny vines.
Despite the challenges, she continued to push herself to the limit. She encountered a few poisonous snakes, but she was quicker than they were. The snakes that dared to challenge her didn’t live long enough to regret it.
By the time she crested the final ledge and stood at the peak after three gruelling hours, her arms were streaked with scratches, stinging with sweat and sap. But the view—wide skies painted in hues of blue and silver, the wind cool against her face—made every scrape worth it. And at a distance, to the west, was the unadulterated beauty of the Zandaya range, unhindered by the absence of skyscrapers.
"Cousin Lara, how long will it take us to reach the peak?" Behind her, Abel paused to ask, panting, sweat glistening on his forehead. He squinted up at the peak that still loomed above them, impossibly distant despite how far they’d come.
Lara shielded her eyes from the sun, scanning the ridge ahead. "Another two hours, maybe less," she said, voice steady but kind. "Let’s rest first. There’s a small clearing just ahead with a spring. We’ll eat, refill our bottles, and catch our breath."
Barett, weary to his bones, let out a deep sigh of relief. The gnawing hunger in his stomach and the parched dryness of his throat were almost unbearable. Each step felt like dragging lead weights, his legs echoing their anguish with sharp protests. A few more strides, and his legs would buckle beneath him like a fragile house of cards.
But he dared not complain. His father sent him here to train. So how could he give up easily?
Bener displayed an impressive stamina, showing no hint of fatigue as he expertly maneuvered through the rugged landscape. His familiarity with challenging terrains and steep ascents was evident in his confident strides. Much like Lara, his brow remained unmoistened, untouched by the beads of sweat that would normally betray such exertion. Compared to his training with the Eagle Team, this was nothing, not even a drop in a bucket.
Gideon, unaccustomed to the rigors of climbing, found himself panting heavily as he ascended the rocky path. His lungs burned, each breath a reminder of his unpreparedness. The sweat beaded on his forehead, trickling down his brow as he struggled to push onward.
In that moment, a wave of shame washed over him; how could he call himself a soldier of Northem when he felt so weak and unfit? The weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him, mingling with the fatigue, fueling an urgent desire to train harder and rise to the expectations of his role.
Percival’s heart echoed the same tumultuous feelings as Gideon’s, yet he fought to push them aside—a fierce determination burned within him, urging him onward into the towering peak of Mount Ourea. How could he possibly reveal even a hint of vulnerability when the summit awaited him, shrouded in mist and mystery? He steeled his resolve, knowing that surrender was not an option for one so resolute. The summit called to him, and he could not show weakness—not now, not ever.
Abel caught Lara off guard with his unexpected confidence. He remained remarkably at ease, even as the terrain steepened, posing a challenge to both balance and composure. He played the role of a protective elder brother, guiding and helping Barett, who struggled a bit behind. With a reassuring smile, Abel would adjust the rope strapped around Barett’s waist, ensuring it was secured just right, or would offer his hand to pull his brother up on steep inclines.
It was a tender moment, yet it made Barett squirm in embarrassment, feeling the weight of his older brother’s protective instincts. Abel’s presence was an assurance, a steady anchor amid the unpredictable path, and he revelled in the chance to look after his younger sibling.
They camped under an old tree with a large canopy. Lara took out her provisions, which included a broiled sweet potato, a boiled egg, meat jerky, and two slices of bread. The rest had similar provisions. The food was packed in a lightweight bamboo box, similar to a modern bento box.
They refilled their bamboo water bottle with water from the spring. The water was crystal clear and very refreshing.
After a half-hour rest, they continued their journey. As they neared the peak and the elevation increased, their climb became even more challenging as the air got thinner and the temperature dropped. Even Bener started to feel the fatigue and the strain on his legs.
They were almost at the end of their limit when they reached the peak. Gideon lifted his arms high in the air in a V position and shouted, "I’m on top of the world!" For him, it was a journey of self-discovery. The moment of realization at the hanging bridge and the sight below him right now, he knew that he had connected with his spirit and with nature.
Percivall glared at him. ’How dare he steal my thunder?’ Then, with a voice louder than Gideon’s, he shouted, "I made it!" His voice was like thunder, so the birds nestled in the nearby tree all flew away.
Bener, Abel, and Barret were not as vocal as their two companions. But they share a powerful sense of achievement and gratitude for having overcome the challenges and reached their goal.