Traversing the Perilous Mountains 

Chapter 21: Traversing the Perilous Mountains

"Us mountain folks believe in nature Gods. I was always a skeptic till I saw the fire of the sun God.."

- Gikko of the Mountain tribe

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Year 1212, 12th day of the 5th month- Across the Cross mountain southeastern side of the range~

[Gikko's POV]

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We have been traveling through the unforgiving mountain for almost a week. I was asked to serve the apostle on his journey to greatness as the elder said, it appears he saw my destiny with that man.

We would never help people if they just come and ask us to guide them to a different country through the mountains. Anyone can tell that, they are criminals or worse…

But this group was different.

Everyone in the village include I, know of them. As they are the entourage of the apostle of Sun God. Even the apostle is with him.

We all heard what happened to the village in the west. Such horrendous murder… I never knew such demons existed in this plane. Even the demons from the elders stories weren't so horrifying.

But I do not need to fret anymore as I will from now serve the apostle of the Sun.

I look towards the elder man who was carrying the apostle on his back.

It's heard that, the apostle used the flames of damnation to burn the sinner to eternal suffering.

The everlasting flames that are still burning on that hilltop, is the greatest of miracles, I have seen in this little life of mine.

Yes I will serve him properly.

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We have been traveling together and I got to know all the servants of the apostle.

I was surprised that all of them were powerful humans.

Even the child no older than eight or nine was strong.

Even the woman with them. Our village don't let women become warriors but after seeing this crimson haired lady I changed my opinion…

Women can be monsters.

The girl looked at me confusedly while I was thinking that, seemingly her instinct told her I was badmouthing her….

Simply terrifying. I should not get in trouble with her.

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The others were very polite and very helpful. The man with a hood helped me and the child understand new words and he was now teaching us how to read. I never thought I would learn to read one day…

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In the early mornings the elder helped us with training. I always thought elders were just there to guide us on wisdom but this elder was strong as a Bullrhino.

But nonetheless the was extremely welcoming. Not to mention he was teaching me without holding anything back.

His reasoning was, 'Teaching is to the teacher but knowledge was for all.'

What profound words… I understood none of that….

The red haired lady nodded when she heard, so I thought she understood only seconds later I was proven wrong…

"SO GRAMPS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?"

I was flabbergasted I looked around but it seemed normal for these people.

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Meal times were something I enjoyed very much. The groups weakest member also the 'butler' of the apostle was a good cook.

In the mountains we didn't really get spices. So this was a new and wonderful opportunity that was presented to me.

"I will pray upon the nature gods for their blessing upon those hands."

One I said those words to the man he cried his eyes out thanking me and everyone else just smiled at me.

I… Feel at peace here.

I thought it will be very heard without father and mother but I feel at home with them.

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Another week passed~

Things continued as usual, Only one day we encountered a Mountain Bear which was cut in half by the red haired lady named Celine.

The apostle is yet to awake.

But I got the honor to know the apostles full name. He was called Lucian Vince Franzer, the former crowned prince of our country.

I was awed but when I asked why former. I heard the most depressing story and wanted to revenge my new master.

Everyone smiled and comforted me saying all in due time.

Lady Celie seemed to cry though…

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After one more month of struggle, we made it into a clearing in the endless mountains. The apostle was yet to wake… And to make matters worse, this is the place where the detailed map ended…

The elders told me, after this spot it was up to fate and my tracking skills to get the apostle to his destination…

I will not fail you.

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Year 1212, 18th day of the 6th month- Across the Cross mountain eastern side of the range~

[Mavis's POV]

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After one and a half month we made it to a clearing in the mountains due the help of a young hunter. He was called Gikko. A fine young man who saw the greatness of our lord.

It was an welcoming sight for our little group to get a companion like him. Passionate and sincere.

In the clearing the young hunter seemed a little lost. We knew the detailed map ended here and he was still just a teen who had his coming of age ceremony not long ago.

So all decided to rely on my sonar and Sir Julians long years of experience.

Though the only problem was our lord hadn't woken up even once.

We were very worried as we couldn't even feed him or water him.

But he seemed… healthier than usual.

His skin radiant and glossy.

There was no sign of hunger or dehydration. It was amazing to watch.

A phoenix indeed.

'The hawks will always serve the Phoenix my lord.'

We rested for a full day on the even ground and not to lie it was a wonderful feeling after all that traversing. I made a small pond for everyone to take a bath in.

Oh lord did we need a bath. At least I knew I needed one…

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The next morning, we started going east, and if my memory served me right we will travel through one of the ruins, of the old age. A former magnificent city called Ligara.

It was city built in the mountain by different species of elves called the mountain elves.

For some reason after the first elf queen wanted to separate from the humans and seclude in the Elven forest the mountain elves refused and wanted to stay in the mountains. They didn't want to leave the home that they built with blood and sweat.

Alas. That only lead them to ruin in the next war with the Deakin race.

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We found the entrance to a cavern that seemingly had an air path way that lead to the outside.

Simply magnificent…

I kept sending my wind to check and it seemed it was a path large enough for several people to walk together.

When I relayed the news everyone was delighted.

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We kept walking thought the cavern in a regular pace.

But we kept very alert, I was using sonar as much as possible. And Sir Julian was walking in front while the young hunter had our back with Casper.

That little chap was very talented in hunting after Gikko taught him a bit he was like a sponge that absorbed all the knowledge in a heartbeat.

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We were getting close… very close to the exit but…

"Everyone stop! I have picked up a dozen people on my sonar…."

"Sigh! Looks like it will not be an easy passing as we hoped…" Sir Julian interjected.

Then he took his highness off of his back and gave him to Spike to take care of.

I will be in the front. Casper and Gikko stay back with Spike to take care of his highness. And brace yourselves.

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At the entrance of the Cave of Acknowledgement~

[General POV]

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"Mother I am certain there are eight people inside the cavern!" Said a man who seemed very agitated.

"You and I both know how improbable that is right? The other side of the cave is a dead zone that is guarded by the guardian beast." An elder woman refuted the man.

"But lady priestess… Even I am picking up eight intruders with my sonar and it seems they are sending sonars as well…"

"Maybe they aren't hostile… But keep your guard up!"

"Aren't hostile? Are you insane, boy? Only people who will traverse those treacherous mountains are either criminals or ghosts." The old woman shouted at the men present.

"Granny is right, there cannot be any other reason for people to travel through the mountains to cross the border.

Unless they aren't able to.

Granny I will go with them to defend our holy lands." Said a teen girl with beautiful black hair.

"NO! it is too dangerous for you." Said the first man.

"But father!"

"ENOUGH! She will go! She is the next priestess and it is her duty. She will follow us."

"As you wish mother." The man seemed dejected but he could only listen to his mother who was the priestess.

"Let us move."

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[Mirabelle's POV]

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After four hundred years there are intruders again in our holy lands. My father and grandmother are both furious. Even I. How dare lowly criminals get inside our holy lands.

My grandmother will put them in their place.

No one should mess with the might of a Master Rank Priestess.

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We kept walking for a few minutes and we could see four people standing on the opposite side.

An elderly man standing in the front. Beside him is a hooded man to the right and a young boy and a red haired girl to his left.

The girl was glaring at us. Made me a bit annoyed.

"We mean no harm! We want passage." Said the elderly man upfront.

My granny just snorted, "And why should we grant passage to criminals, who trespass on Aerenloir Temple's sacred grounds?"

"Aerenloir temple? Hmm it seemed we didn't exactly go east I am afraid.Haha." Said the hooded man.

We are all alerted because the man seemed to know about our temple and yet not afraid.

My Granny snorted again. "So you guys are criminals… Should have known. Kill them and bring their corpses to me. That's the punishment for criminals who trespass."

Granny was walking away and we all got ready to deliver punishment but a powerful aura struck all of us and made us kneel.

'MASTER RANK AURA.'

Granny released her holy mana around to cancel out the aura, though it felt like she was losing.

"WHO ARE YOU HEATHENS?" Granny shouted.

The other elder calmly just said, "I assure you we are not heathens, and we only require passage."

"LIKE WE CAN BELIEVE A MAN WHO DIRECTED HIS AURA TOWARDS US!" one of the men shouted loud.

The hooded man chuckled at this moment, "If Sir Julian wanted to harm you, you would've felt his unmeasurable killing intent with that aura and die on your spot not just kneel… The Purplewing family sure has fallen."

My father frowned, "Who are you to talk about our family? What gives you the right?" he literally shouted at the end.

"Right you say?

Very well I will tell you then,

I Mavis Koira Blackhawk, the servant of the last Phoenix Lucian Vermillion have all the right to mock your graceless family."

The man declared something nonsense, servant of the vermillion family? Who was he fooling. The last phoenix died twenty-five years ago.

What is delusional baboon even thinking….

The Blackhawks are old high nobles the previous masters of the current royalty the Ravenbeak family.

He just spoke of two family names that are history and are taboo in Altumia.

He really is looking for death.

*LAUGHTER*

"AND HERE I THOUGHT THE ROYALY CAME TO INTRUDE US.HAHAHAHAH" Everyone started laughing.

There were similar comments from the other men even I found it amusing but the men seemed calm, too calm. I looked at granny but it seemed she has seen a ghost.

"Repeat your name!"

Everyone stopped. No one was laughing anymore.

"Mavis. Koira. Blackhawk."

"KILL THEM ALL! NOW." Granny shouted and thus the battle began.