Reconnecting

Climbing with no gear or safety neat as an inexperienced climber was a very bad idea. For Amber, it was a terrible idea.

Ignacio was doing a bit better since his upper body strength was quite impressive but even he struggled sometimes. His muscles bulging with the effort he moved as if he had done it before.

If someone had told Amber that she would be climbing mountains a week ago, she would have laughed so hard that her belly would hurt, but there they were climbing the mountain just because they felt that was what they should be doing.

Even knowing how ridiculous that was didn't stop them from following the inexplicable pull the mountain had for them.

The cold seeped through their clothes on to their skin and a shiver ran down Amber's back, but she tried to ignore it and keep going. She didn't want to be left behind.

It was too cold for her to even think straight. She couldn't help but wonder what she expected to accomplish by the feat they undertook.

Amber felt angry with herself for never being much of an outdoors person or doing any physical activities.

Her strength was poor, to say the least. With burning muscles, she tried to keep up and not plunge to her death, but the effort was wearing her out.

The view of the bright sun hiding behind the clouds was beautiful but the beauty was lost on her, exhausted as she was. How could anyone appreciate beauty when they were struggling to stay alive?

Ignacio, on the other hand, seemed much more confident. From time to time he would gaze at the magnificent view enjoying the moment. It was a luxury Amber was not able to afford.

Although sweat was dripping from his bright red face he seemed more sure of his footing, of his climbing skill. He was even relaxed enough to stop from time to time and breath in the fresh air or comment on Amber's obvious lack of skill.

Whether he was confident about his climbing skills or put a lot of trust into the magic the fairies bestowed upon them, he was undeterred by death's embrace that awaited them if they fell.

The mountainside had a lot of holes and strongholds and for a professional climber it wouldn't have been much of a challenge, but for Amber, it was an impossibility.

Ignacio was far ahead when something unexpected happened.

He lost his hold and started plummeting to the ground, to imminent death.

"Use the magic!" Amber shouted at his falling figure, but he was too shocked to remember how.

Surprising even herself Amber let go of the hold she had on the mountain and tapped into her magic so that she could fly to his rescue.

She had to speed up a bit to catch up with him, but she did it flawlessly.

Finally, she was able to grab him under his armpits and pull him up.

Deciding that when she had already had to tap into the magic she might as well carry them to the top.

Ignacio was very heavy and had she used only her strength they would have both ended up at the foot of the mountain.

As it was, the magic flying ability helped her pull them both to the top of the mountain safely.

Once there, she unceremoniously dumped Ignacio on the ground and fell down next to him thoroughly exhausted.

When they finally managed to catch their breaths, they got up to check where they were.

Instead of thanking Amber for saving his life, Ignacio gave her death glares that she decided to ignore.

Looking back to where they came from, all they could see was the ocean of clouds. The white fluffy expanse was simply breathtaking.

All they could see were clouds, a lot of soft little carpet of clouds that left them speechless.

Standing there at the mountain's summit, all Amber could do was let out a sound of exhilaration.

She was above the clouds, and she flew there on her own (well, with the fairy help, but it was still impressive).

What more could she ask of life?

Even the fire in Ignacio's eyes seemed extinguished for the time being.

They just stood there.

Eyes wide open.

Feeling as one with nature.

Bursting with life and energy.

It was worth the effort.

It was worth almost dying to finally feel free.

Soon enough, their silence was interrupted by voices that seemed to be arguing about something, at least one of them was.

Having a sense of deja vu Amber said: "Could those be..."

Before she had the chance to finish her sentence, they could see two dark distorted figures struggling to cross to their side of the mountain. Soon enough it became that those figures were actually Royce and Jade wearing climbing gear.

"...like it wasn't enough climbing to the top, but we also have to go around the mountain! How do you even know that this is the right thing to do!?" Jade yelled at Royce.

Royce, on his part, was calmer than anyone else would have been in his place. Instead of yelling back at Jade he just kept on going as it was an argument they already had a few times before, and he had nothing new to add.

As they finally came close to the plateau Amber and Ignacio were standing on, Amber snapped out of her shock and ran towards Jade.

"Jade! You are alive!" She screamed exhilarated.

Jade barely had the time to register what was happening before she was engulfed in a bear hug that almost crushed her bones.

She wasn't sure what was more surprising, that Amber was alive or that she was hugging her.

Soon enough, she noticed that her feet were no longer touching the ground.

"Ahem, Amber? Not to ruin the moment or anything, but would you mind explaining why are we flying?" Jade asked.

"Ups!" Amber said trying to focus on getting them down.

"Ups? I am glad to see you, too, but what was all that about?" Jade asked as they landed with a thud.

"We had some difficulty climbing, so I had to tap into the fairy gift. I guess I lost control of it for a second, sorry." She said.

"It's fine. I am just glad you are both okay." Jade said.

The boys' reunion was much less ceremonious. They just clasped their hands together and said in unison: "I knew you were fine."

Amber and Jade just rolled their eyes and said: "Man!"

They were well aware that the guys were as worried as they were, but it wasn't a macho thing to do, for them to show their concern.

After that, they once again sat down in a circle recounting their adventures.

Even though they were on top of a mountain, in a magical world, with no idea what to do, they felt that all was right with the world.

As long as they were together, they thought nothing bad could happen.

They were wrong.