In the steps of Eternity

Forward: Part 3

Regaining my awareness, I stand up and follow the edges of the mountain side while I hope I have left the beasts far behind. As quickly as I began to move again I found a cave entrance of smoothed stone just as fast.

Running for the entrance I all but dive inside without a second thought, only to be enveloped in a frigid aura.

Sitting up and against the wall inside the cave I try to circulate and replenish my spent Anima only to find that the chilled essence has begun to invade my body along with the ambient Anima. Alerted by the feeling I cut off the flow and just circulate what I have already in an attempt to expel the frigid chill.

Time flies as I finally expel the unwanted energies. After Finishing I open my eyes to find that the sun is in full bloom as its light shines in from the entrance of the cave.

Taking the opportunity before leaving, I look around the cave only to find a twisted Altar. A disfigured monster made of stone sitting on top of the pedestal as if it were looking down on everything before it.

Before I could think twice I shuddered and backed my way out of the cave, or should I call it a Shrine?

Stepping out of the cave I am greeted with a strange and immediate change in temperature. From frigid and invasive cold straight to scorching heat. “At least I wasn't followed by that scary swarm of creatures.” I think to myself as I sit against the mountain side.

“I really have to rest and refill my Anima, out here should definitely be much better than in there though.” I think  out loud as I sit far far away from the cave entrance and begin to circulate and absorb the Ambient Anima.

The warmth of the sun and Anima spreading through my body set me at ease, it feels much more pleasant and far nicer than what I had felt in that creepy place.

Standing up again and facing what I assume to be the right direction I start to walk once more.

Days pass without incident as I come across what looks like trees on the horizon. Hastening my pace I supply my body with as much Anima as I can, leaving a veritable dust storm in my wake.

Arriving at the edge of the desert I come across a highly unnatural change. From desert to forest in half a day's run.

Taking a moment to rest under the shade of a tree I sigh to myself. “How nice to finally escape the sand.” I think to myself before closing my eyes.

Time flows faster than I realize, as the day has turned to night by the time I open my eyes. A cool breeze flows by my skin from the depths of the forest. “Too bad that isn't the way I should be going” I think to myself once more as I get up from under the tree.

Facing what I think to be north once more I start walking yet again, this time with a bit of a spring in my heel.

Not long after I started walking again, I start to feel a very strong sense of familiarity. Stopping to take a look around I spot a mountain chain in the distance. Following the ridge with my eyes I spot a peak that makes my chest throb as a sudden sound echoes from within me. Ba-Thump Clutching my chest I try to cycle my Anima and calm the throbbing. Ba-Thump Wind flairs around me as I drop to my knees.

Time all but stops around me as the throbbing begins to fade and the beating stops. Looking at the mountain once more I can't help but wonder why my body would react the way it did, but before I could even try to stand, I collapse and pass out instead.

Sitting in the endless abyss once more, I am greeted again by a shadowy silhouette looking straight at me, eye to eye.

“Why am I hear?” I think to myself. Letting my thoughts echo into the world around me, hoping to get some kind of response from the figure.

“Eb ot tnaem era ew” it replies. Tilting its head as if it is confused by my question. But before I could ask another, it rests its hands on my shoulders before embracing me.

Endless warmth begins to flow through the dark world as light starts to fill my vision. My eyes are open and greeted with the shine of a new day and yet I feel as if I need to sleep for an eternity.

Laying on the ground I decide to just stay there and rest until I felt better, but that feeling never seems to come. I feel dead and empty inside. The motive and desire to keep moving is there but for some reason I seem to lack the drive.

Laying there, thinking in an endless loop I fail to hear the clopping sounds of hooves paired with the rattle of wood and metal approaching until they are basically on top of me.

Turning my head to see an older man sitting on a wooden vehicle drawn by horses. As I sit up a group of people hop out of the back and approach me. I don't understand what they are saying but they seem to have mixed feelings.

Some seem concerned? Others are guarded? Either way I scoot away and manage to stand and hide behind a tree. “How did I even get here?” I think to myself, as the surroundings are very much different to when I had passed out last.

Realizing I took my attention off of the people who were approaching me, I notice someone of a much smaller figure get off the vehicle, well, they almost fell really.

Dusting herself off, she slowly approaches me speaking in more words that I can't seem to understand, but this time rather then unsettled, I feel a greater sense of comfort as she draws closer. Slowly I step out in the open before I realize I am covered in dirt and my dress no longer shimmers with any sense of Anima.

As she arrives she takes me by the hand and leads me to the vehicle, her gentle voice seems to assure me that things will be fine if I go along with them.

Being taken upon the vehicle, I am given a spot next to the young girl, but my eyes fill with caution as the Larger folks pile back in. And with that I feel a gentle tug at the sound of a whip and we start to move.