Zoe and Alex gradually proceeded up the mountainside. Though it was steep, they were able to walk the first quarter of their journey to the peak. After reaching a relatively flat area, they ran into their first major issue. The impending climb appeared to be much steeper, nearly wall-like.
“I should’ve brought some rope,” Alex remarked.
“We’ll make it,” Zoe assured him. “We just have to be very careful and take our time.” Digging through her sack, she pulled out the bottle which was replenished with fresh water collected during their venture through the forest. She took a small drink and handed it to Alex. “Only drink what’s necessary; we’re going to need most of it when we reach the top.”
Alex rejected the bottle. “I’m alright for now.”
“Okay, then let’s get started.” Zoe returned the bottle to the sack and carefully secured it to her back.
The duo gradually made their climb side by side, using jagged rocks to hoist themselves closer and closer to their goal. The ascent was uneventful until Alex suddenly felt a strong jab on the back of his head, nearly causing him to lose his grip. “Ah!” he yelped, swatting the air behind him with his free hand. Zoe turned her head to see a bird-like creature with four wings and a jagged black beak. The bird pecked Alex again.
“Hold still!” Zoe shouted. “Umbra orbis!” She threw a shadow orb at the pesky avian using her free hand. The bird merely dodged the attack, quickly delivering a harsh peck to Zoe’s forehead. “Ow!”
Instantly, the bird screeched as Alex swung his arm, bashing it against a rock as a flyswatter would smash an insect. The fowl beast tumbled down the mountainside. “Got it,” Alex said smiling. “You okay, Zoe? He got you pretty good.”
“I’m fine,” she answered, rubbing her forehead. “How about you?”
Alex felt the back of his head. Viewing his fingers, he saw a few small red splotches. “I’m alright,” he replied. “That thing hits hard. Luckily I’ve got a thick skull.”
Zoe smiled. “That makes two of us.” The pair chuckled.
Finally, after a long, tedious climb, the duo reached another flat area. They were both drenched in sweat, aching from the arduous journey as they took a moment to rest. “We’ve got to be getting close,” said Alex, catching his breath as he sat down.
Zoe sat down beside him. She pulled the bottle of water out of her sack. “We are. Unfortunately, we’ve still got to climb that.” She pointed to a tall, vertical wall of stone not far from where they rested.
“I can’t wait,” Alex remarked sarcastically, burying his face in his hands. Zoe took a drink and handed the bottle to Alex. He drank until the bottle was half empty and handed it back to her. “So what’s the plan now?”
Zoe put the bottle back into the sack. “More climbing,” she responded. “The good news is that we’re over halfway there.”
Alex looked up toward the peak of the mountain. “How the heck do they get prisoners to this place anyway?!”
Zoe shrugged. “Beats me.” She dug through her sack and pulled out the remainder of the bread she had packed. Tearing off a piece for Alex, she handed it to him.
“Thanks,” he said as he eagerly took the food, eating it in nearly one bite.
“Someone’s hungry,” Zoe remarked, taking a bite for herself.
Alex nodded as he chewed. Moments later he asked, “What if we’re seen?”
“Then we’re probably going to get killed or locked up,” Zoe bluntly replied.
Alex was clearly distressed. “I thought maybe you had some clever escape plan.”
Zoe shook her head. “My plan is to not be seen. If we are, we’re outnumbered and outmatched. I doubt we’ll get far.”
Alex slumped his head back, taking a moment to observe the towering peak before them once again. He looked back at Zoe, who was standing up. “So this is it, huh?” he asked, rising to his feet. “Once we get up there, it’s all or nothing.”
“Pretty much,” she replied.
The area was quiet, save the sound of the wind whistling around the cliff’s jagged edges. “Well,” Alex finally said, “I guess this might be my only chance.” Taking her cheeks in his hands, he pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes widened, completely caught off guard, but slowly closed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, returning the display of affection. They kissed each other again and again, each one more intense than the last, then, “Ow!”
He quickly pulled away. Looking up, he saw three of the bird-like creatures they had encountered during their climb. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!!” Alex shouted, rubbing the tender spot atop his head.
Zoe scrambled to grab her scythe lying on the ground nearby but was harshly pecked on her back as she did.
“Glacies orbis!” Alex yelled, hurling an ice orb at one of the birds, though it easily dodged the projectile, promptly swooping down to peck at him.
Zoe wildly swung her scythe as her attacker gracefully evaded each swipe. “Dammit, they’re too fast!” she shouted. “Ah!!” She was pecked again, this time just above her right ear. She swung her scythe in the direction of the latest offense but was hastily attacked by the other bird.
Alex found that it was incredibly difficult to aim his ice orbs while dealing with the incessant pecking. Following a few failed attempts, he picked up his sword. “Any ideas?!” he shouted, taking a swing at the irksome airborne foe.
“I’m BUSY!” Zoe replied, angrily swiping repeatedly at the two birds as they took turns attacking her.
Gripping his sword, Alex almost struck his aggressor, missing by nearly an inch. It took advantage of his failed attempt, pecking him again with its jagged beak.
Finally, Zoe managed to hit one of the birds, sending it tumbling to the ground. She quickly took a swing at the other feathered beast, but was not as fortunate.
“Glacies stiria telum!” Alex shouted, conjuring an icicle missile which put an end to another bird. All that remained was one.
Zoe swiped her scythe again and again but couldn’t manage to knock the evasive avian out of the air.
Alex conjured an ice orb. Patiently, he stood still and carefully focused on the bird as it continued to dodge Zoe’s aggressive strikes. At last he saw his chance, hurling the ice orb at the unsuspecting foe. The bird fell to the ground.
Zoe, visibly exhausted and frustrated by the encounter, took a moment to catch her breath. Alex, also drained by the battle, scanned the surrounding area to be sure there were no more pesky birds in close proximity. “Well, I’ve definitely reached my conjuring limit, but I think we’re good.” he reported, sheathing his sword. Still breathing heavily, Zoe gave a thumbs up.
“Who’s down there?!” They heard suddenly from high up.
“Dammit, they heard us!” Alex whispered loudly. He dashed to Zoe. “Quick, make us invisible!”
Zoe shook her head. “I can’t. I’m too tired.”
Alex looked up. He could see someone looking down off the edge of the cliff. He looked back at Zoe. “They’ve seen us.”
“Not necessarily,” she quietly replied. “It’s nighttime. Unless they possess Shadow magic, I doubt they can see anything down here. Just be still and keep quiet.”
The pair looked up to see another person approach the cliff. Both of the mysterious figures looked down at the area below, then turned to each other. They stayed near the cliff for several minutes before walking away. Alex looked at Zoe. “That was close,” he remarked.
“Yeah,” she replied. Following a pause, Alex leaned in toward Zoe’s lips, but she quickly turned and collected her sack still lying on the ground. She secured it and her scythe to her back. “We’ll have to climb from the other side,” she said.
Alex picked up his sack and tied it to his waist. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to go now? Maybe we should rest a bit more.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Relax, lover boy. I’ll make out with you when we get back to the base. We’ve got a job to do.” Zoe scanned the cliff face, in search of another route to the peak.
“But you said you were exhausted; well, so am I!” Alex argued as he followed. “I don’t think we’re ready to climb this thing.”
“We don’t have a choice,” she replied. “I came here to rescue Roshan and that’s what I’m going to do. You’re the one who decided to come with me. You can stay down here if you want to, but there’s going to be no chance of busting him out of that place if the sun comes up. There’s no time to lose.”
Alex looked back at the scattered corpses of the winged monsters. “Stupid birds,” he muttered to himself.
The duo continued walking along the outcrop until they reached a sharp drop. “Great...” Zoe remarked. “Looks like there’s no way around... and we can’t climb up this side – they’ll be expecting it now that they’ve heard us.” She turned around and retraced her steps. Again, Alex followed.
“Now what?” he asked.
“We’ll have to check over there,” she responded, pointing to the far side. After passing by the area in which they encountered the birds, they suddenly saw a group of four men dressed in body armor emerge from around the distant corner of the large cliff. The man in front was holding a lantern. Zoe and Alex froze.
“Someone’s coming!” Alex whispered.
“Looks like guards,” Zoe replied. “Just stay calm.” She franticly searched the surrounding area as the guards approached. Suddenly, Zoe was struck with an idea. She hastily turned to Alex. “Let’s climb back down a bit and wait for them to pass.” Alex nodded.
They quickly but quietly proceeded back to the edge and clambered their way down the mountainside. However, the two soon discovered that climbing down the steep slope was much more difficult than the climb up. Though it was less physically demanding, keeping their balance proved to be a challenge. The difficulties were amplified by the duo’s exhaustion.
After making it only a short way down, they both heard footsteps approaching them from above. Panicking, Alex lost his grip and tumbled down the cliff face, the sharp rocks showing no mercy as he plummeted. “Alex!!” Zoe screamed, terrified.
Suddenly, she was hit by the light of the guard’s lantern not far above. “Don’t move!” he ordered.