"Keep up or ill leave you two behind." A hooded figure called back to Zero and a young man no older than twenty-five. Zero and the young man tried their best to keep up through the rough terrain. Blue trees parted by rough jutting rocks made it almost impossible to navigate the mountainside, but the hooded figure did it with ease leaping from one rock formation to the next. Rocky terrain gave way to steep inclines and rising cliff edges. Eventually, they made it to a side of the mountain that was more a wall than a natural formation.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflMcWtvpWJ
"Straight up and over and you'll be in the Ether Wildlands and your training will begin." With that, the hooded figure made their ascension with ease. Zero and the boy watched helplessly from the bottom unsure what they were supposed to do to get themselves over this ridge.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gFVtUzqDH
"Do you think there's an- before Zero could finish their question the boy began climbing gripping anywhere he could to gain leverage and hoast himself upward. Zero let out a defeated sigh before following suit. They climbed for about an hour before something seemed to be wrong, the air seemed to grow thin and it became harder to breathe with every passing moment. Their pace slowed as something was taking a toll on them. After another thirty minutes of climbing the boy and Zero were winded they could make out about a few more yards up was a perfectly carved part of the mountain where they could rest. They both breathed deep unable to get enough from every gulp. The boys' muscles ached starved for release.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6Fp6MFQji
"Feeling light-headed yet?" They hear from above, both struggle to look up and see their hooded guide waiting on the rocky platform above.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6prBuwkbV
"Tha Ether be thicker up here... Less refined ya see? So your bodies are gonna have to do all the filteren themselves." His heavy accent made his tone even more mockingly annoying, but they both also noticed how their head started to swim and how his voice seemed to wane under a piercing ring at the back of their heads. They tried pushing through the boy close to the top when he stops. Zero not too far below slows as they catch up.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLiJHEzUcN
"What why'd you stop?!" Zero called up above them to no reply, right then a heavy gust of wind pushes past them Zero braced themselves perfectly, but the boy seemed startled by the sudden change, they looked around in a daze confused as to what was happening.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YnO36b3n4
"Loki?!" Zero calls up Loki looks down at the mention of his name his eyes widen in fear his body tenses, but his foot slips leaving just one hand to keep him from falling.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb5gvfP76S
"Shit Loki!?" Zero says climbing as quickly as they can to close the gap.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3RDm4Bzhg
"Haha looks like he passed out, oi if you fall no one below you to stop that drop but the ground." The useless guide chirps from above, Loki struggles to regain his posture, but his palms are too slick to grip. A crack shoots terror into his chest as the mountain gives way and he begins to fall. Time slows as he hears the laughter of the bastard above him echo off the mountain he wouldn't be here if he was stronger if he didn't need him if he had just saved her. Regrets raced through his mind as he slowly fell from the cliff edge then he suddenly stopped and slammed against the side of the mountain.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RjVgVVFb5
"Fuuuuuuuck!" Zero had grabbed a hold of Loki's leg keeping him from plummeting to his death. They pulled him upward a red Ether forming around them as they found the strength to hoast Loki up into the air. Loki was now a few feet above the cliff edge with enough time to form an Etheral spear to slam into the edge saving himself. Zero though had used up all their strength and began to fall, quickly forming another spear he tosses it downward Zero catches it forming a red thread made of the Mother Mold to tie tightly around it before tossing it back up. Loki caught the spear and braced working as an anchor for Zero to use while they climbed their thread to the top. Loki pulls Zero up onto the ledge and they collapse into a pile on each other.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTouGZOQL1k
"Good thing you've saved this one boy 'cause if not I would have tossed ya off." The Hoodied Figure exclaimed before making his way up the next cliffside.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oXpYlqesZ
"Rest! But don't keep me waiting!" He calls back as he easily scales the next cliff.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlVt0Uqk1C
Zero and Loki took in their surroundings the ledge was huge and looked very man-made a spring nearby had water flowing into it from cracks on the wall and vegetation had a thick hold on the area. They made their way over to the spring and played rock paper scissors to see who would test if it was drinkable, Loki drank deep of the pond and it was clearly drinkable seeing as he didn't stop until Zero approached, intrigued gripped him he had never seen Zero eat or drink the red fabric that covered their body never came off not even to bathe. Loki watched intensely as Zero knelt near the water reaching in to let the water move over their hand.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSq965Tpir
"You don't drink?" Loki blurts letting his anticipation get the best of him.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHygauy97rF
"Hmm?" They reply unaware they were being studied so heavily.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYXnyi9vb3
"We have been together a while now and I've never seen you drink nor eat..." Loki states plainly.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ymCJABF3o
"Oh I drink but it can simply be through the Mother's Mold I only drink through my mouth for fun and I eat..." Zero statement trails off into silence causing Loki to lean in.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNICbBvLc6Q
"You eat buuut?" He asks mockingly but honestly waited with bated breath for the answer.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlUFMOC3Wr
"It's just embarrassing I only get my lower mouth free with the Mother Mold and so I feel uncomfortable eating in front of others alright!?" Zero exclaims folding their arms in frustration. Even though Loki couldn't see their face he could swear they were blushing.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELzDreD1T8
"So can I see you drink?" A brazen Loki asks catching Zero off guard.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAViKQs1qP5
"i-I... Fine." Zero stammers out defeatedly they lower themselves to the water and Loki watches as the Mother Mold unravels where a mouth would be to reveal supple pink lips that drink slowly from the bond, but immediately when Zero stops the red fabric quickly returns.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ylOn1XR5
"Happy!?" Zero exclaims increasingly more frustrated. Loki shook his head in affirmation not sure why, but he was slightly embarrassed himself. Both their stomachs growl right as a goatish creature with purple fur and three horns comes out of the nearby brush. They play another game of rock paper scissors where Zero was the loser this time. Zero chased after their meal as Loki used the nearby foliage to create a fire.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
